Current Affairs - January 29, 2025 Current Affairs

ISRO is set to launch its 100th GSLV rocket, GSLV-F15, from Sriharikota on January 29 at 6:23 am. This mission will deploy the NVS-02 satellite, which is part of the second-generation NavIC (Navigation with Indian Constellation) system. NVS-02 features L1 band support and weighs 2,250 kg, contributing to enhanced accuracy and reliability of India’s indigenous navigation system. This launch marks a significant milestone for ISRO, reinforcing India's advancements in space technology and satellite-based navigation capabilities.

Pine Labs has deepened its partnership with SBI Payments to accelerate the adoption of digital commerce across India. The two companies, with a 12-year-long relationship, aim to enhance merchant solutions, provide seamless payment experiences, and promote financial inclusion. Their collaboration will focus on improving business productivity and offering diverse payment methods. By integrating SBI Payments' extensive network with Pine Labs' advanced technology, the partnership seeks to improve consumer experiences, drive digital payment adoption, and bridge the gap between urban and rural India for better financial access.

India and Oman have signed a protocol to amend the Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA), ensuring alignment with international cross-border taxation standards and simplifying tax procedures. This agreement aims to enhance economic cooperation and prevent tax evasion between the two nations. Additionally, both countries have agreed to accelerate negotiations for an early signing of a proposed Free Trade Agreement, further strengthening bilateral trade relations. Oman, with its capital in Muscat and currency as the Omani Rial, continues to be a key economic partner for India in the Gulf region.

Tripura became the first northeastern state to sign an MoU with the Digital India Bhashini Division under MeitY to enhance multilingual e-governance. Led by Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha, this initiative integrates AI-driven real-time translation and speech technologies supporting 22 Indian languages. The partnership aims to bridge linguistic and digital divides, improving accessibility for rural and tribal communities. By incorporating Bhashini into its governance systems, Tripura is taking a significant step toward inclusive digital governance and ensuring better communication between citizens and the administration.

In January 2025, India and Indonesia signed five Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) to strengthen their bilateral ties. These agreements cover diverse areas including health, maritime security, traditional medicine, digital development, and cultural exchange. Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto visited India from January 23 to 26, 2025, marking his first visit since taking office. This partnership emphasizes cooperation between the two countries in several crucial sectors, aiming to enhance both nations' strategic and cultural relationships, with a particular focus on health, security, and digital growth.

IISc Bengaluru achieved a historic milestone by securing the 99th position in computer science in THE World Rankings 2025. This marks the first time an Indian institution has entered the global top 100 for this subject. The ranking highlights India's growing presence in the field of computer science, with 53 Indian universities ranked, up from 47 in the previous year. While global leaders like Oxford, Cambridge, and MIT continue to dominate the rankings, IISc Bengaluru's achievement is a significant step forward for Indian higher education on the international stage.

China has developed an advanced seabed radar that can detect aircraft flying at altitudes of up to 5,000 meters from a depth of 1,000 meters. This breakthrough enhances submarine capabilities, allowing them to track aerial targets more effectively and potentially shifting their role from passive observers to active hunters in naval warfare. Unlike conventional radar systems, this technology uses sophisticated acoustic sensors to counteract distortions caused by seawater layers and turbulence. Such advancements could significantly impact modern naval strategy by improving underwater surveillance and threat detection capabilities.

Indian Newspaper Day is observed every year on January 29 to commemorate the introduction of the first newspaper in India, Hicky’s Bengal Gazette, in 1780 by James Augustus Hicky. Also known as the Calcutta General Advertiser, this publication marked the beginning of journalism in India. Despite facing challenges and being shut down in 1782 due to its criticism of the British administration, its legacy remains significant. Indian Newspaper Day serves as a reminder of the crucial role newspapers play in shaping public discourse, promoting freedom of expression, and keeping citizens informed.

BSNL has launched the IFTV platform across India, offering over 550 live TV channels and premium OTT apps in collaboration with Skypro and PlayboxTV. This initiative aims to enhance digital entertainment accessibility for both urban and rural users. Skypro handles content delivery, while PlayboxTV curates high-quality entertainment. With a strong base of over 4 million FTTH users, BSNL now provides premium TV and OTT services at no extra cost, strengthening its position in the telecom and digital content sectors. This move aligns with BSNL’s goal of expanding its broadband and multimedia offerings nationwide.

Australia secured the ICC Women’s Championship Trophy for the third straight time, reaffirming its dominance in women's cricket. The team finished at the top of the 10-team competition with 39 points from 24 matches. Captain Alyssa Healy received the trophy in Melbourne from Cricket Australia Chair and ICC Director Mike Baird. The ICC Women’s Championship, introduced in 2014, plays a vital role in promoting women's cricket by ensuring regular bilateral series and serving as a qualification pathway for the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025. Australia's consistency and excellence continue to set the benchmark in the sport.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced Dibrugarh as the state's second capital during the Republic Day celebrations. A new permanent assembly building will be constructed in Dibrugarh on the southern bank of the Brahmaputra River. This decision aims to decentralize governance and promote development in Upper Assam, ensuring better administrative reach and infrastructure growth in the region. By designating Dibrugarh as a second capital, Assam takes a significant step towards balanced regional development and improved governance accessibility.

Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (PGCIL), a Maharatna central public sector undertaking under the Ministry of Power, is organizing GRIDCON 2025. This international exhibition and conference will take place at Yashobhoomi, Dwarka, Delhi, from March 9 to March 11. The event will focus on key topics such as grid resilience, asset management, and digital transformation in power transmission. As a leading organization in India's power sector, Power Grid plays a crucial role in ensuring efficient electricity transmission across the country, making it the ideal host for such a significant industry event.