Current Affairs - January 23, 2025 Current Affairs

The Army Hospital (Research & Referral), located in New Delhi, performed India’s first Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD) implantation using the HeartMate 3. This groundbreaking procedure was conducted on a 49-year-old woman with end-stage heart failure who had been awaiting a heart transplant for over two years. The HeartMate 3, often referred to as a "mechanical heart," is a critical innovation for supporting cardiac function in patients with severe heart conditions.

In the Edelman Trust Barometer 2025, India slipped to third place globally in terms of public trust in institutions such as government, businesses, media, and NGOs. Despite India’s score remaining unchanged, it lost its second position to Indonesia, which saw an increase in its score. The report highlighted significant disparities in trust levels across various income groups and nations, with China and Indonesia occupying the first and second spots, respectively.

JSW Defence signed an MoU with the Telangana government to establish a Rs 800-crore manufacturing facility for Unmanned Aerial Systems. The unit will be developed in partnership with a US defence technology company. The agreement was formalized at the World Economic Forum in the presence of Telangana CM Revant Reddy and Parth Jindal of JSW Group, reflecting JSW’s commitment to advancing India’s defence manufacturing capabilities.

D Gukesh, at just 18 years old, became India's highest-ranked chess player, securing the 4th position globally in the FIDE rankings. He achieved this milestone by defeating Vincent Keymer in the Tata Steel Tournament. Gukesh has a rating of 2784 points, surpassing Arjun Erigaisi, who ranks 5th with 2779.5 points. This marks a significant achievement for Gukesh in the global chess arena.

VisionNxt is India’s first AI and Emotional Intelligence-driven fashion forecasting platform, launched at NIFT’s 40th Foundation Day in Hyderabad. Developed under the Ministry of Textiles, it aims to provide insights specific to Indian fashion trends. This initiative highlights the integration of advanced technology like AI with Emotional Intelligence to revolutionize fashion forecasting.

The United States, under President Donald Trump, initiated its withdrawal from the World Health Organization (WHO) on January 20, 2025, citing mishandling of the COVID-19 pandemic, financial disparities, and political influence concerns. Additionally, the U.S. suspended all foreign aid for 90 days to reassess its distribution strategies. This decision is expected to have significant global implications, particularly on health initiatives funded by the U.S., such as combating HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria. The U.S. has been a major contributor to the WHO, providing 18% of its budget.

The CSIR Mega Innovation Complex, India’s first facility of its kind, was inaugurated in Mumbai on January 17, 2025, by Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh. The complex aims to support start-ups, MSMEs, and industries by providing advanced infrastructure such as incubation labs, office spaces, and networking zones. Additionally, it promotes innovation, regulatory compliance, and technology transfers, facilitating collaboration between start-ups, researchers, and innovators. This initiative contributes to India’s vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat and aims to enhance growth in sectors like healthcare, chemicals, energy, and materials science.

Neeraj Parakh has been appointed as the CEO and Executive Director of Reliance Power, effective from January 20, 2025. With over 29 years of experience, Parakh has played a crucial role in leading major projects within the Reliance Group, particularly in thermal power and renewable energy ventures. He has been integral in executing large-scale projects like Yamuna Nagar and Sasan, contributing significantly to power generation. Parakh's leadership skills have been essential in driving technological advancements, vendor localization, and regulatory compliance within the company.

Gujarat will host the first Olympic Research Conference, a significant step in India’s ambition to host the 2036 Olympics. The event, organized by the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) in collaboration with the Union Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, will bring together experts and officials to discuss strategies for sustainable sports infrastructure, economic models, and global competitiveness. Key themes include sustainability, financing, gender equity, and learning from successful Olympic host cities. This four-day event plays a critical role in shaping India’s Olympic aspirations for 2036.

DRDO will showcase its tableau titled 'Raksha Kavach – Multi-layer Protection against Multi-domain Threats' on Republic Day. It highlights innovations like Quick Reaction Surface-to-Air Missiles, Satellite-Based Surveillance, and Advanced Artillery Systems. Key features include the Long Range Hypersonic Anti-Ship Missile, Divyastra, Light Tank Zorawar, and Light Weight Bullet Proof Jacket ‘ABHED.’ This reflects DRDO’s commitment to developing cutting-edge defence technologies for multi-domain protection.

Sarla Aviation, a Bengaluru-based aerospace startup, unveiled ‘Shunya,’ India’s first electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) air taxi. Designed for short trips of 20-30 km, it can carry six passengers at speeds up to 250 km/h. This prototype aims to address urban congestion and provide a sustainable alternative to ground transportation. Sarla Aviation also plans to launch ‘Shunya’ in Bengaluru by 2028, with future expansions to cities like Mumbai, Delhi, and Pune. Additionally, they have partnered with Sona SPEED to manufacture essential components for the eVTOL.

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai launched a scheme providing Rs 10,000 annually to approximately 7.5 lakh landless agricultural labourers. This initiative fulfills a key pre-poll promise and aims to improve the financial stability of these labourers. The scheme is part of the government’s ongoing welfare measures, including other similar schemes like the Godhan Nyay Yojana and Rajiv Gandhi Kisan Nyay Yojana. This move reflects the government's commitment to uplifting vulnerable sections of society and enhancing their livelihoods.

Walmart launched strategic pilot programs with Indian startups to enhance its US supply chain and sourcing operations. The selected startups include KBCols Sciences from Pune, GreenPod Labs from Chennai, and Cropin from Bengaluru. This initiative focuses on leveraging innovative solutions to build a more resilient global supply network, showcasing Walmart’s commitment to fostering innovation and collaboration in its operations.

The Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS), located in Hyderabad, won the 2025 Subhash Chandra Bose Aapda Prabandhan Puraskar in the Institutional Category. Known for its excellence in disaster preparedness, INCOIS operates the Indian Tsunami Early Warning Centre and innovative tools like SARAT. Recognized by UNESCO as a leading Tsunami Service Provider, INCOIS plays a crucial role in ocean-based disaster management and mitigation.