January 2025 Current Affairs – Topic-wise Short Notes for Competitive Exams

Keywords: January 2025 current affairs, monthly current affairs India, UPSC current affairs, SSC, Bank exams, one-liners, GK update

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🟩 National Affairs

• The Maha Kumbh Mela 2025 began on 13 January 2025 at Prayagraj (Uttar Pradesh) — world’s largest spiritual gathering.

• A crowd incident occurred during the Kumbh Mela (29 January), leading to casualties; safety protocols were reviewed.

• The 76th Republic Day Parade (26 Jan 2025) in New Delhi featured Indonesia’s President Prabowo Subianto as Chief Guest.

• The government announced revised Minimum Support Price (MSP) for jute, ensuring 66.8% returns to farmers.

• Launch of Indian Sustainable Natural Rubber (iSNR) initiative in Kerala to promote eco-friendly rubber production.

• Scientific coal mining approved in West Khasi Hills and East Jaintia Hills (Meghalaya) under new environmental norms.

• Discussion on delimitation of constituencies and population policy gained national attention in Parliament.

• The Digital India Bill draft underwent final stakeholder consultations to replace the old IT Act.

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🌏 International Affairs

• India and Indonesia strengthened ties in defence, trade, and maritime security during President Prabowo’s visit.

• India initiated diplomatic engagement with Afghanistan via talks in Dubai focusing on regional stability.

• India’s UN peacekeeping contribution was praised at the UN Security Council Open Debate in New York.

• India–France Joint Committee Meeting highlighted cooperation in renewable energy and space research.

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💰 Economy & Banking

• World Bank retained India’s GDP growth forecast at 6.7%, keeping it the fastest-growing major economy.

• Over 91 crore card tokens generated under card-tokenisation drive, enhancing digital payment security.

• Ethanol procurement prices were revised to support India’s biofuel blending target 2025.

• GST collection for January 2025 crossed ₹1.75 lakh crore, indicating strong domestic consumption.

• RBI launched pilot for Digital Rupee (Retail) Phase 3, expanding to 25 more cities.

• Stock Market: Sensex hovered around 74,000 mark; IT and banking stocks led gains.

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🔬 Science & Technology

• The IndoNLP 2025 project developed AI models for real-time transliteration of Indian languages.

• India tested “Bhargavastra” micro-missile system to counter drone swarms — indigenous defence tech success.

• Skyroot Aerospace signed an MoU with Telangana Govt to build an integrated rocket manufacturing hub.

• ISRO successfully completed vacuum-chamber test of Gaganyaan crew module.

• IIT Madras launched a Quantum Computing Centre to promote AI and qubit research.

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🌿 Environment & Ecology

• The Ghaggar River pollution issue prompted an India-Pakistan joint remediation committee.

• Scientific coal mining in Meghalaya will follow environmental safeguards and land rehabilitation.

• The National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) expanded to 152 cities in 2025.

• Forest Survey of India (2025) reported 0.28% rise in India’s green cover.

• India hosted the Asia Pacific Climate Summit 2025 in New Delhi focusing on sustainable mobility.

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🛡 Defence

• The 76th Republic Day Parade showcased indigenous systems like Pralay Missile, Agniveer Contingents, and Advanced Light Helicopters.

• India and Indonesia signed a pact on maritime domain awareness and joint naval exercises.

• DRDO tested upgraded Nag Anti-Tank Missile and UAV communication system.

• The Indian Navy commissioned the INS Narmada (P-314) – 4th Scorpène-class submarine.

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🏆 Sports

• India won both Men’s and Women’s titles at the 1st Kho Kho World Cup 2025 in New Delhi.

• India beat England 3-1 in the T20 series; controversy arose over concussion-substitute rules.

• Novak Djokovic won his 11th Australian Open title.

• PV Sindhu entered top-5 BWF Rankings after Malaysia Masters performance.

• Harmanpreet Kaur became the first Indian woman to play 150 T20Is.

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🥇 Awards & Honours

• Padma Awards 2025 list released — several grassroots social workers and sportspersons honoured.

• Neeraj Chopra received the Laureus World Sportsperson of the Year (Track & Field) nomination.

• AIIMS Delhi received the World Health Organization Public Health Excellence Award 2025.

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👔 Appointments & Resignations

• Neeraj Parakh appointed CEO & ED of Reliance Power (24 Jan 2025).

• Vinay Kwatra’s tenure as Foreign Secretary extended till April 2025.

• Lt Gen Manoj Katiyar took charge as Vice Chief of Army Staff.

• Vikas Saxena appointed as new CMD of BSNL.

• S. Ramanathan became new Chairperson of SEBI’s advisory committee on fintech.

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📅 Important Days & Themes

• 12 Jan – National Youth Day 2025 (Theme: Empowering Young India).

• 24 Jan – National Girl Child Day (Theme: Invest in Her Future).

• 25 Jan – National Voters Day (Theme: Empowered Voters, Strong Democracy).

• 26 Jan – 76th Republic Day of India.

• 30 Jan – Martyrs’ Day (Homage to Mahatma Gandhi).

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📚 Miscellaneous

• Government announced plan to reduce working hours for factory workers from 60 to 48 per week under proposed amendment.

• India’s passport strength improved to Rank 80 globally in Henley Passport Index 2025.

• Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Gramin) achieved 3.25 crore house completions milestone.

• NITI Aayog proposed “One District One Startup” policy model.

• India recorded record-high solar power capacity at 79 GW (Dec 2024 data released Jan 2025).

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⚡ Quick Revision Points (High-Value Facts)

• Kumbh Mela 2025 → Prayagraj (UP)

• Republic Day 2025 → Indonesia President Prabowo as Chief Guest

• India’s GDP Growth → 6.7% (World Bank)

• iSNR Initiative → Sustainable Rubber Production (Kerala)

• Bhargavastra System → Drone Defence Missile

• Kho Kho World Cup → India Won (Both Categories)

• Neeraj Parakh → CEO Reliance Power

• Digital Rupee Phase 3 → 25 Cities

• Forest Cover ↑ 0.28% → FSI Report 2025