Current Affairs - National

Odisha secured the top position in the Fiscal Health Index (FHI) 2025, launched by NITI Aayog to evaluate the fiscal health of 18 major Indian states. The index assesses states on five sub-indices: Quality of Expenditure, Revenue Mobilisation, Fiscal Prudence, Debt Index, and Debt Sustainability. Odisha achieved a composite score of 67.8, outperforming other states like Chhattisgarh (55.2) and Goa (53.6). This ranking underscores Odisha's strong fiscal management and prudent financial policies.

Telangana’s first 24-hour drinking water supply project was launched in Karimnagar Smart City. Inaugurated by Union Minister Manohar Lal, the project cost ₹18 crore and included 6,000 water connections across 5 divisions. Karimnagar also saw the inauguration of a ₹12.35 crore multipurpose building and a ₹22 crore sports school complex, showcasing significant investments in urban infrastructure and development.

India ranks 4th in the Global Firepower Index 2025, maintaining its strong military position globally. This ranking is based on over 60 parameters, including manpower, resources, and geography, reflecting India’s significant military capabilities. India’s score is 0.1184, just behind the United States, Russia, and China. The Global Firepower Index evaluates the military strength of 145 countries, and India's consistent position in the top ranks showcases its military prowess.

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.

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.