Weekly PDF January 2025: 5th Week January 2025

Banking & Finance transactions” for a continuous period of 24

1. RBI plans Rs 1.1 lakh crore liquidity infusion in months.
banking system ●​ Inoperative Jan Dhan accounts rose from 19
●​ The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has per cent of total accounts in March 2024 to
announced a plan to inject an additional Rs 21 per cent in December that year.
1.1 lakh crore into the banking system.
●​ Route: Various measures including open
market purchase auctions of Government
securities and a variable rate repo auction.
●​ Additionally, a $5 billion dollar-rupee swap
auction will be conducted to enhance
liquidity.
●​ This decision follows a review of current
liquidity and financial conditions.
●​ The open market operations will involve
the purchase of Government of India 4. Jio launched jioSoundPay
securities worth Rs 60,000 crore in three ●​ Reliance Jio Infocomm launched a
tranches of Rs 20,000 crore each. ‘JioSoundPay’ feature for its JioBharat
●​ These tranches are scheduled for January device, replacing merchant sound boxes for
30, February 13, and February 20, 2025. UPI payments.
●​ A 56-day Variable Rate Repo auction for Rs ●​ The feature provides sound alerts for UPI
50,000 crore will take place on February 7, payments received.
while the dollar-rupee swap auction of USD ●​ Existing small and micro merchants pay
5 billion for a tenor of six months will be around ₹ 125 a month for a sound box.
held on January 31. ●​ Now, with JioSoundPay being provided free,
2. PNB Pioneers Real-Time Cybercrime Response JioBharat users will save ₹1,500 annually
with Clari5 Integration 5. Tata Electronics acquires 60% in Pegatron India
●​ Punjab National Bank (PNB) has become ●​ Tata Electronics Pvt Ltd (TEPL) has
the first Indian bank to launch Clari5’s acquired a controlling 60% stake in
National Cybercrime Reporting Portal Pegatron Technology India, a subsidiary of
(NCRP) Integration Solution. Taiwanese giant Pegatron Corporation.
●​ This system was developed with the Indian ●​ This strategic acquisition bolsters Tata’s
Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C). position as a key Apple supplier, further
●​ It allows for real-time processing of advancing its plans for iPhone production
cybercrime complaints and fraud in India.
prevention. ●​ The total production value of iPhones
3. 21% of Jan Dhan accounts turned inoperative by assembled in India reached approximately
December Rs 1,50,000 crore: Foxconn accounted for a
●​ More than one in every five accounts under production value of around Rs 84,000 crore
the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (56 per cent of the total), Tata Electronics
(PMJDY) has turned inoperative by contributed Rs 40,000 crore (26 per cent),
December 2024. and Pegatron made up the remainder.
●​ This translates to approximately 110 7. HDFC Life announces corporate agency tie-up
million inoperative accounts. with CARS24
●​ A bank account is classified as “inoperative” ●​ HDFC Life partners with CARS24 Financial
if there are no “customer-induced Services Pvt. Ltd. to distribute life
 Weekly PDF January 2025: 5th Week January 2025

insurance products, aiming to extend their 10. UNCTAD Global Investment Trends Monitor
reach through CARS24's extensive digital 2024
and branch network. ●​ The Global Investment Trends Monitor
●​ This collaboration seeks to enhance report was recently released by UNCTAD.
insurance accessibility nationwide, ●​ Global Foreign Direct Investments (FDI)
contributing to the goal of 'Insurance for all increased by 11% to $1.4 trillion in 2024.
by 2047'. ●​ However, FDI dropped 8% when excluding
8. JK Tyre secures $100 million flows through European conduit
Sustainability-Linked Loan from International economies.
Finance Corporation ●​ FDI to developing countries fell by 2%,
●​ International Finance Corporation (IFC) has marking a second consecutive decline for
sanctioned a $ 100 million the Global South.
Sustainability-Linked Loan (SLL) to JK Tyre ●​ Investments in SDG-related sectors
& Industries (JK Tyre). dropped by 11% globally in 2024.
●​ The funding includes $30 million to JK Tyre ●​ India saw a 13% rise in FDI and growth in
and up to $70 million for Cavendish greenfield project announcements.
Industries (CIL), a subsidiary of JK Tyre. ●​ UNCTAD
●​ The funding will support the expansion of ●​ 30 December 1964
tyre manufacturing capacity, focusing on ●​ Geneva, Switzerland
Passenger Car Radial (PCR) tyres at JK ●​ Rebeca Grynspan
Tyre's Banmore plant in Madhya Pradesh ●​ Parent Organisation : UNGA
and Truck and Bus Radial (TBR) tyres at ●​ UNCTAD projected India's GDP growth slip
CIL's Laksar plant in Uttarakhand. to 6.5% in 2024
●​ The initiative aims to promote ●​ VietNam to host the 16th UN Conference on
energy-efficient tyre production, Trade and Development in October 2025
strengthen local supply chains, and create ●​ Theme : “Shaping the future: Driving
jobs. economic transformation for equitable,
9. RBI cancels registration of Mumbai-based X10 inclusive and sustainable development”.
Financial Services 11. State Bank of India Payments and Pine Labs
●​ The Reserve Bank of India canceled the Partner
registration of X10 Financial Services Ltd, ●​ SBI Payments and Pine Labs announced an
an NBFC, due to irregularities in its digital expanded strategic alliance, building on
lending operations. their long-standing 12-year partnership.
●​ The company outsourced key functions like ●​ SBI Payments is a Joint Venture formed
credit appraisal and customer verification between State Bank of India, and Hitachi
to service providers without due diligence, Payment Services Pvt. Ltd. Pine Labs is a
violating outsourcing guidelines. merchant commerce platform.
●​ Focus on: Accelerating the adoption of
digital payments and digital commerce
solutions.
12. Reserve Bank of India imposes monetary
penalty on Datson Exports Limited, West Bengal
●​ A penalty of Rs 1 lakh has been imposed on
Datson Exports, West Bengal for
non-compliance with certain directions
issued by the RBI on Managing Risks and
 Weekly PDF January 2025: 5th Week January 2025

Code of Conduct in Outsourcing of Financial ●​ Under the GST framework, businesses must
Services by NBFCs' register if their turnover exceeds certain
13. India's forex reserves decline by $1.88 billionn thresholds.
to $623.983 billion ●​ For the manufacturing sector, the limit is
●​ India's forex reserves dropped by $1.88 ₹40 lakh.
billion to $623.983 billion in the week ●​ For the service sector, it is set at ₹20 lakh.
ended January 17, 2025. ●​ Special Category States have different
●​ This follows a steeper decline of $8.714 thresholds, with some like Jammu and
billion the previous week, bringing the Kashmir opting for a ₹40 lakh limit for
reserves down from $625.871 billion. commodities.
●​ The reserves had previously peaked at an ●​ Other states, such as Puducherry, have
all-time high of $704.885 billion in late chosen a ₹20 lakh limit for goods.
September. 15. Banks disburse ₹38,000 crore of loans under
●​ Foreign currency assets is the largest ULI pilot
component of the reserves. ●​ The Unified Lending Interface (ULI) was
launched by the Reserve Bank of India
(RBI) to streamline the lending process.
●​ Since its pilot inception in August 2023, ULI
has facilitated the disbursement of ₹38,000
crore across 7.5 lakh loans.
●​ This platform aims to revolutionise credit
delivery by connecting lenders with diverse
data sources through a single interface.
●​ ULI is a technology platform designed to
14. CBIC Introduces Temporary Identification
enable seamless access to digitised
Number
financial and non-financial data.
●​ The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and
●​ It connects lenders to multiple data service
Customs (CBIC) has recently implemented
providers via standardised Application
changes to the Goods and Services Tax
Programming Interfaces (APIs).
(GST) framework in India.
●​ This ‘plug and play’ approach simplifies the
●​ These changes include the introduction of a
credit underwriting process, making it
Temporary Identification Number (TIN) for
easier for borrowers to access loans.
businesses that do not require mandatory
16. CheQ Unveils Wisor: India’s First AI-Powered
registration.
Credit Card Expert
●​ Aim: To streamline tax compliance and
●​ CheQ, founded by former Flipkart executive
facilitate payments under the GST regime.
Aditya Soni, has introduced Wisor, India’s
●​ Additionally, the CBIC has announced a
first AI-driven credit card expert.
waiver of excess late fees for the financial
●​ This innovative tool aims to transform
years 2017-18 to 2022-23 concerning
credit card management by providing
annual returns.
personalized insights, seamless
●​ The notification clarifies that these TINs
management, and maximizing rewards for
will be granted under specific conditions
users.
outlined in Part B of FORM GST REG-12.
17. RBI publishes Payment System Report for Dec
●​ Threshold Limits for Registration
2024
●​ Retail digital payments have surged from
162 crore transactions in 2013 to over
 Weekly PDF January 2025: 5th Week January 2025

16,416 crore transactions in 2024, marking ●​ The benefits will be extended to SCR
a nearly 100-fold increase over the past 12 employees across six states: Telangana,
years Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka,
●​ According to the latest payments system Madhya Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu.
report by the Reserve Bank. ●​ The MoU offers enhanced personal accident
●​ This growth can largely be attributed to the insurance coverage, free Hospicash
success of UPI, which now accounts for facilities, and special offers on retail loans,
83% of total digital payments in 2024, up debit cards, and credit cards.
from 34% in 2019. ●​ Unique add-on benefits include
●​ In 2024 alone, the country saw as much as reimbursement for girl child marriage
208.5 billion digital payment transactions. (aged 18-25), higher education cover, and
●​ On the other hand, the share of other digital transportation of imported medicines.
payment methods, such as national 20. Government Approves Rs 500 Crore Capital
electronic funds transfer (NEFT), real-time Infusion into Industrial Finance Corporation of
gross settlement (RTGS), immediate India for Financial Year 2024-25
payment service (IMPS), and credit and ●​ The government has approved Rs 500 crore
debit cards, declined from 66% in 2019 to capital infusion in the company through the
17% at the end of 2024. preferential issue of shares.
●​ In the past five years alone, digital ●​ The Department of Financial Services has
payments have increased 6.7 times in conveyed sanction of the President of India
volume and 1.6 times in value. to release funds of Rs 500 crore to IFCI Ltd
●​ This amounts to a five-year compounded towards subscription to the share capital
annual growth of 45.9% in terms of digital during FY 2024-25.
payments volume and 10.2% in terms of ●​ The Industrial Finance Corporation of India
value. was set up by the government on July 1,
18. Bharat Interface for Money Partners with 1948, as the first development financial
FinTech Yatra 2025 institution in the country.
●​ BHIM, India’s flagship digital payments app ●​ The Finance Ministry, in November 2024, in
powered by NPCI BHIM Services Ltd principle approved the 'Consolidation of
(NBSL) has joined forces with The FinTech IFCI Group', which entails the
Yatra 2025 as a Principal Partner. merger/amalgamation of IFCI Limited and
●​ The FinTech Yatra is a 10,000 km long epic StockHolding Corporation of India Limited
road journey. and other group companies.
●​ Aim: To identifying, understanding and 21. BIMTECH launches blockchain-based currency
catalysing players in financial services BIMCOIN
across India. ●​ Birla Institute of Management Technology
●​ This strategic collaboration aims to (BIMTECH) has introduced a
accelerate India’s digital payment blockchain-based digital currency,
revolution by empowering communities ‘BIMCOIN’
and fostering financial inclusion. ●​ Designed exclusively for the BIMTECH’s
19. Bank of Baroda Signs MoU with South Central ecosystem
Railway ●​ The blockchain platform facilitates secure,
●​ Bank of Baroda has signed a Memorandum transparent, and instant transactions
of Understanding (MoU) with South Central among students, vendors, and
Railway (SCR) to provide a comprehensive administrators.
salary package for over 85,000 employees.
 Weekly PDF January 2025: 5th Week January 2025

●​ Unlike traditional systems, BIMCOIN ●​ Designed to cater to the needs of frequent

operates on a blockchain, offering travelers.
decentralisation, transparency, and ●​ The card offers a range of features,
programmable features like smart including instant reward redemptions
contracts. across multiple airline and hotel partners,
22. CRED launches e₹ Wallet in collaboration with enabling users to convert points into air
RBI & YES Bank miles and hotel stays via the HSBC mobile
●​ Fintech unicorn CRED has launched a beta app.
version of its e₹ wallet. ●​ New users who spend ₹10,000 within the
●​ Developed in partnership with the Reserve first 30 days will receive ₹1,000 cashback,
Bank of India (RBI) and YES BANK as the ₹3,000 PostCard vouchers, and three
sponsor bank. months of EazyDiner Prime Membership.
●​ This launch makes CRED the first fintech ●​ The card also provides purchase protection
platform to implement RBI’s Central Bank up to $20,000 annually.
Digital Currency (CBDC). ●​ RBI Report on Credit card usage
●​ The e₹ wallet integrates the security and ●​ The number of credit cards has more than
reliability of a sovereign currency with doubled to around 10.80 crore at the end of
CRED’s payment experience. December 2024, compared to December
●​ It will allow members whitelisted for the 2019 when there were 5.53 crore cards in
beta program to pay UPI-linked bank circulation.
accounts, as well as send and receive ●​ With effect from January 1, 2019, the RBI
money to other CBDC wallets. has mandated the use of only EMV Chip and
●​ The wallet supports transactions of up to PIN-based debit and credit cards.
Rs 10,000 per transfer, with a daily limit of 24. Investment Announcements Soar 39% in FY25:
Rs 50,000, and can store up to Rs 1 lakh. State Bank of India Report
●​ Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) ●​ Ministry of Finance stated in a latest update
are digital versions of a country’s fiat that India's investment ecosystem and
currency, issued and regulated by the external commercial borrowings (ECBs)
central bank have witnessed significant developments
●​ Unlike decentralized cryptocurrencies, over the past few years.
CBDCs are centralized and fully controlled ●​ The recent report by the State Bank of India
by the government, offering a state-backed (SBI) has highlighted trends in investment
alternative to physical cash. announcements, private sector's
●​ The Bahamas was the first country to contribution, and role of ECBs in corporate
launch a nationwide Central Bank Digital financing.
Currency (CBDC), named the Sand Dollar, in ●​ Investment activity in India continues to
2020. grow at a rapid pace, with significant
●​ Following this, Nigeria also rolled out its contributions from the private sector. In
eNaira in the same year. In April 2020, 9MFY25 i.e., the nine months of FY25
●​ China became the first major economy to (April-December 2024), total investment
pilot its digital currency, the e-CNY or announcements stood at Rs 32.01 lakh
Digital Yuan. crore.
23. HSBC launches TravelOne Credit Card ●​ This marks a 39% increase from Rs 23 lakh
●​ HSBC has introduced the TravelOne Credit crore in 9MFY24, reflecting a positive
Card. investment outlook.
 Weekly PDF January 2025: 5th Week January 2025

●​ The private sector accounted for nearly ●​ The central bank will start a resolution
56% (FY24) and nearly 70% (9MFY25) of process of the housing finance company
these announcements, signaling strong under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy rules.
corporate confidence. ●​ Ram Kumar, the former chief general
●​ Household Net Financial Savings (HNFS) in manager of state-run Punjab National Bank,
India improved to 5.3% of GDP in FY24 has been appointed as the administrator for
from 5.0% in FY23. the housing finance company.
●​ Additionally, savings in physical assets 27. Ratnakar Bank Limited & Piramal Finance
increased from 12.9% of GDP in FY23 to partner to offer Co-Lending Business
13.5% in FY24. ●​ RBL Bank and Piramal Capital and Housing
25. RDCL receives Certificate of Registration to Finance Limited announced a strategic
commence Operations, from RBI partnership under their co-lending
●​ RMBS Development Company Limited business.
(RDCL) has now received Certificate of ●​ Both the lenders will offer loans to the
Registration (CoR) from Reserve Bank of middle and low-income segment borrowers
India(RBI) to commence operations. with focus on rural and semi-urban regions
●​ National Housing Bank (NHB), a statutory by providing competitive interest rates and
body under the Government of India has set tailored credit solutions in Tier 2 and Tier 3
up RMBS Development Company Limited markets.
(RDCL) as the single largest shareholder ●​ RBL Bank
and is supported by a strong mix of investor ●​ August 1943
classes across Banks, HFC/ NBFC and ●​ Mumbai
Insurance company. ●​ R Subramaniakumar (M.D. & CEO)
●​ The paid-up Capital of the Company is ₹500 ●​ Tagline : "Apno Ka Bank"
crore with its Registered Office at Mumbai. 28. Sebi develops web portal(iSPOT) for reporting
The Company is expected to commence glitches
operations in March, 2025. ●​ Markets regulator Sebi has developed a
●​ The Company is envisioned to play the role web-based portal for submission of
of a commercially sustainable market preliminary and final root cause analysis
intermediary to facilitate the growth and (RCA) reports of technical glitches by stock
development of Residential exchanges and other market infrastructure
Mortgage-Backed Securitisation (RMBS) institutions (MIIs).
market in the country ●​ The new portal -- Integrated Sebi Portal for
●​ A Residential Mortgage Backed Security Technical Glitches (iSPOT) -- is aimed at
(RMBS) pays investors based on payments streamlining the reporting process of
from many individual mortgages. technical glitches across MIIs as well as
26. Reserve Bank of India supersedes board of creating a centralized repository of
Aviom India Housing Finance due to governance technical glitches.
concerns ●​ Presently, the MIIs -- stock exchanges,
●​ The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has clearing corporations and depositories --
superseded the board of Aviom India are required to report information about
Housing Finance due to governance technical glitches and submit the Root
concerns and defaults in meeting payment Cause Analysis (RCA) reports to Sebi on a
obligations. dedicated email ID.
●​ iSPOT has been integrated with Sebi's
Intermediary(SI) portal for ease of access
 Weekly PDF January 2025: 5th Week January 2025

to MIIs and can be accessed by MIIs by ●​ Employees must have a minimum of 10

using the existing login credentials of SI years of qualifying service for
portal. superannuation benefits.
29. RBI – Digital Payments Index for September ●​ For voluntary retirement, the minimum
2024 qualifying service will be 25 years.
●​ Name of Index : Digital Payments Index ●​ Assured payouts will not apply in cases of
●​ Published since January 1, 2021. removal, dismissal, or resignation from
●​ Base Year : March 2018 service.
●​ It is published semi-annually in March and ●​ Full assured payout: 50% of the average
September basic pay of the last 12 months before
●​ March 2024 : 445.5 superannuation.
●​ September 2024 : 465.33 ●​ Minimum guaranteed payout: ₹10,000 per
●​ Parameters of Digital Payments Index month for employees with 10 years or more
●​ Payment enablers (25 per cent weightage of qualifying service.
in the index) ●​ Upon the death of the payout holder, a
●​ Demand-side and supply-side payment family payout of 60% of the last payout
infrastructure factors (10 per cent each) amount will be provided to the legally
●​ Payment performance (45 per cent) wedded spouse.
●​ Consumer centricity (5 per cent) ●​ A lump-sum payment of 10% of monthly
emoluments (basic pay + DA) for every six
months of completed service will be
allowed at superannuation.

●​ RBI’s other Publications

●​ Consumer Confidence Survey (CCS -
Quarterly)
●​ Inflation Expectations Survey of
31. NPCI bans special characters in UPI transaction
Households (IESH - Quarterly)
IDs
●​ Financial Stability Report (Half-Yearly)
●​ Unified Payments Interface (UPI)
30. Unified Pension Scheme (UPS) Notified, To be
transaction IDs will no longer be allowed to
Effective from April 1, 2025
contain special characters from February 1,
●​ The Finance Ministry has officially notified
2025.
the Unified Pension Scheme (UPS) under
●​ Announced by: National Payments
the National Pension System (NPS), which
Corporation of India (NPCI)
will come into effect from April 1, 2025.
●​ Any transactions with such special
●​ The government’s contribution will
characters will be automatically rejected by
increase from 14% to 18.5% of basic pay
the central system.
plus Dearness Allowance (DA).
●​ The NPCI instructed all payment companies
●​ The employee’s contribution will remain
to use only alphanumeric characters for
unchanged at 10% of basic pay plus DA.
transaction IDs.
 Weekly PDF January 2025: 5th Week January 2025

32. Narayana Health launches ‘Arya’ 8% increase from 15.48 billion in

●​ Narayana Health Insurance has introduced November.
‘Arya,’ aimed at bridging gaps in the health ●​ The total value of these transactions also
insurance industry. reached ₹23.25 lakh crore in December,
●​ The ‘Arya’ insurance plan offers compared to ₹21.55 lakh crore in
hospitalisation coverage ranging from ₹25 November.
lakh to ₹1 crore, with flexible top-up ●​ The daily average transaction count grew to
options starting at ₹25,000. 539.68 million in December,a big increase
●​ In addition, the plans include consultations from 516.07 million in November,
with general practitioners, pediatricians, 35. RBI tightens norms for imposing penalty under
and OBGYNs, providing a comprehensive payment systems law
healthcare solution. ●​ Basic Summary :
●​ Currently available in Bengaluru ●​ RBI has tightened regulations under the
33. Competition Commission of India Approves Payment and Settlement Systems Act to
Renew Exim DMCC’s Acquisition of 72.64% Stake in ensure compliance and enforcement
ITD Cementation India actions.
●​ Adani Group’s Renew Exim DMCC has ●​ The revised framework allows for imposing
secured CCI approval to acquire a 72.64% higher penalties of up to Rs 10 lakh for
stake in ITD Cementation India for ₹5,757 contraventions and compounding offences,
crore. with additional fines for ongoing defaults.
●​ This move strengthens Adani’s position in ●​ Name of Act : Payment and Settlement
the infrastructure and construction sector Systems Act (PSS Act), 2007
while intensifying competition with ●​ Reserve Bank is empowered to impose a
UltraTech Cement. penalty not exceeding Rs 10 lakh or twice
34. MobiKwik Becomes First Fintech To Fully Roll the amount involved in such contravention
Out CBDC or default
●​ MobiKwik has become the first fintech in ●​ Earlier, the RBI was empowered to impose
India to launch a full-scale Central Bank a penalty not exceeding Rs 5 lakh.
Digital Currency (CBDC) wallet, e-rupee ●​ The amount was raised following the
(e₹), in collaboration with the Reserve Bank enactment of the Jan Vishwas (Amendment
of India (RBI) and Yes Bank. of Provisions) Act, 2023, which came into
●​ The e₹ wallet, now available to all Android force on January 22, 2024.
users of MobiKwik, enables peer-to-peer ●​ If the violation continues even after the
(P2P) and peer-to-merchant (P2M) penalty : a further penalty of up to Rs
transactions. 25,000 for every day after the first will be
●​ Users can pay by scanning any UPI QR code imposed
using e₹, as the wallet is fully compatible 36. India Post Payments Bank and PNB MetLife
with the Unified Payments Interface (UPI). partner to expand life insurance access nation wide
●​ The wallet allows daily transactions of up to ●​ Basic Summary :
₹50,000, with a limit of ₹10,000 per ●​ India Post Payments Bank (IPPB) and PNB
transaction. MetLife India Insurance Company Limited
●​ It supports denominations ranging from have partnered to offer life insurance
₹0.50 to ₹500. solutions to millions across India
●​ The number of such UPI transactions hit ●​ This collaboration aims to promote
16.73 billion in December 2024 that is an financial inclusion by providing life
insurance products
 Weekly PDF January 2025: 5th Week January 2025

●​ India Post Payments Bank (IPPB) has been ●​ President Donald Trump’s executive order
established under the Department of Posts, bans the creation of central bank digital
Ministry of Communication with 100 per currencies (CBDCs) in the U.S., preventing
cent equity owned by Government of India. potential competition with private
●​ IPPB was launched on September 1, 2018. cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and
●​ R. Viswesvaran, MD and CEO of India Post Ethereum.
Payments Bank ●​ One of the key provisions of the executive
37. Sebi launches digital knowledge repository order involves protecting banking services
Dharohar on Republic Day for cryptocurrency companies.
●​ On Republic Day, Sebi launched a digital ●​ David Sacks, former PayPal executive,
knowledge repository called 'Dharohar - appointed as crypto and AI czar, will chair
Milestones in the Indian securities market'. the cryptocurrency working group.
●​ It showcases the history and evolution of ●​ A Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) is a
the Indian securities market using an digital version of a country’s fiat currency,
interactive website with significant events, issued and regulated by the central bank.
3D galleries, and over 3,000 assets ●​ Unlike cryptocurrencies, CBDCs are
including articles, interviews and videos. centralized, secure, and backed by the
●​ Dharohar has been designed to document government, maintaining the same value as
and showcase this rich heritage and the physical currency.
evolution of the Indian securities market. ●​ While the US takes a private-sector-driven
●​ The repository, Dharohar, can be accessed approach, several countries are embracing
at www.mism.org. CBDCs
●​ China has advanced its Digital Yuan pilot
program.
●​ Bahamas, Nigeria, and Sweden have already
launched their CBDCs.
3. Trump Administration Officially Changes Name
of Gulf of Mexico to Gulf of America
International News ●​ Trump administration has officially
1. Thailand Celebrates Marriage Equality Milestone changed the name of the Gulf of Mexico to
●​ Thailand became the first Southeast Asian the Gulf of America.
nation to legalize same-sex marriage, ●​ The Alaskan peak Denali has been officially
marking a significant victory for LGBTQ+ renamed back to Mount McKinley, despite
rights in the region. having been called Denali since 1975.
●​ The Marriage Equality Act, which was 4. Georgia declared malaria free
overwhelmingly passed by Parliament in ●​ Georgia has been certified malaria-free by
June 2024. the World Health Organization (WHO).
●​ It was ratified by King Maha Vajiralongkorn ●​ It joins the league of 45 other countries and
in September 2024, grants same-sex one territory that have achieved this
couples the same legal, financial, and milestone.
medical rights as heterosexual couples. ●​ In 2005, together with 9 other countries in
●​ Capital of Thailand: Bangkok, Currency: the WHO European Region, Georgia signed
Baht the Tashkent Declaration, reaffirming its
●​ Prime Minister: Paetongtarn Shinawatra. pledge to eliminate malaria
2. Trump’s Executive Order: Creation of 5. Three Indians on Forbes 50 Over 50 list
Cryptocurrency Working Group
 Weekly PDF January 2025: 5th Week January 2025

●​ Three Indian women have been honoured ●​ The scholarships offered exclusively for Sri
on the Forbes 50 Over 50 Global list, Lankan nationals are for 2025-2026
including a founder, an activist, and a academic session.
Bengaluru-based billionaire. ●​ The schemes under which these
●​ They are: Urmila Asher, Kiran scholarships have been offered are:
Mazumdar-Shaw, and Sheela Patel. ●​ a) Nehru Memorial Scholarship Scheme:
●​ Urmila Asher (Rank: 3): She is a founder, This scheme covers Under Graduate/Post
launched Gujju Ben na Nasta, a food Graduate & PhD courses in various domains
business rooted in her Gujarati culinary such as Engineering, Science, Business,
expertise. Economics, Commerce, Humanities and
●​ Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw (Rank 32): She is a Arts, among others.
Bengaluru-based billionaire with a net ●​ b) Maulana Azad Scholarship Scheme:
worth of $3.6 billion according to Forbes. Masters Degrees courses with preference to
●​ Sheela Patel (Rank 37): She is a renowned Engineering, Science and Agriculture.
activist and academic dedicated to ●​ c) Rajiv Gandhi Scholarship Scheme:
advocating for the rights of slum dwellers Under Graduate courses in specifically in
and creating equitable urban spaces. the field of Information Technology, leading
to a Bachelor of Engineering and Bachelor
of Technology.
●​ d) Dr.A.P.J.Abdul kalam Commonwealth
Scholarship scheme: This scheme also
covers Under Graduate/Post Graduate &
PhD courses in various domains such as
Engineering, Science, Business, Economics,
Commerce, Humanities and Arts, among
others.
8. Africa Energy Summit
●​ Africa Energy Summit 2025
6. UAE President Sheikh Mohamed declares 2025 ●​ Location: Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
as ‘Year of Community’ ●​ 12 African nations unveiled their National
●​ UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Energy Compacts, presenting targeted
Al Nahyan announced 2025 as the Year of strategies to address energy access deficits
Community, launching a national initiative and promote clean energy solutions.
aimed at fostering unity and inclusion ●​ The countries — Chad, Ivory Coast,
across society. Democratic Republic of Congo, Liberia,
●​ Under the slogan “Hand in Hand,” the Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritania, Niger,
campaign reflects the UAE leadership’s Nigeria, Senegal, Zambia and Tanzania.
vision to build a cohesive and empowered ●​ Aim: To achieve universal energy access
community. while reducing dependence on traditional
7. India announces fully-funded scholarships for Sri biomass for cooking.
Lankan nationals ●​ The two-day summit (January 27-28, 2025)
●​ The High Commission of India in Colombo was organised under the banner of
is inviting applications for 200 fully-funded “Mission 300,” an initiative led by the World
scholarships for Sri Lankan nationals, Bank Group and the African Development
across various levels. Bank.
 Weekly PDF January 2025: 5th Week January 2025

●​ The mission aims to provide electricity to enterprises, with 50 per cent of these being
300 million people across sub-Saharan women-led businesses.
Africa by 2030. ●​ ONDC
9. DeepSeek AI Surpasses ChatGPT on US App Store ●​ It is initiative of Department for Promotion
●​ Chinese artificial intelligence startup of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT),
DeepSeek took over rival OpenAI’s coveted Ministry of Commerce, aimed at
spot as the most-downloaded free app in democratizing digital commerce.
the U.S. on Apple’s App Store, dethroning ●​ It was launched in 2021
ChatGPT for DeepSeek’s AI Assistant. 2. Government approves National Critical Minerals
●​ DeepSeek was founded in 2023 by Liang Mission with outlay of ₹34,300 crore in 7 years
Wenfeng, co-founder of High-Flyer, a ●​ The Union Cabinet has approved the setting
quantitative hedge fund focused on AI. up of the National Critical Minerals Mission
●​ DeepSeek is still wholly owned by and (NCMM) with a budgetary outlay of Rs
funded by High-Flyer, according to analysts 16,300 crore over seven years, with an
at Jefferies. additional Rs 18,000 crore expected in
●​ Deepseek : investments from central public sector
●​ DeepSeek is a Hangzhou-based Chinese undertakings (PSUs).
startup that has recently launched artificial ●​ With Rs 3,000 crore budgeted for the
intelligence (AI) chatbot built on a low-cost National Mineral Exploration Trust (NMET)
Large Language Model (LLM) and Rs 4,000 crore for the Geological
infrastructure. Survey of India (GSI), the NCMM targets
●​ Low training cost: DeepSeek reportedly 1,200 domestic critical mineral exploration
trained its model for just $6 million projects till 2030-31.
●​ DeepSeek-R1 is 20 to 50 times cheaper to ●​ The Ministry of Mines also aims to auction
use than OpenAI o1 model over 100 critical mineral blocks by then.
●​ DeepSeek's paid subscription comes at
$0.50 a month, while ChatGPT costs $20.
National News
1. Centre Launches TEAM Initiative
●​ The Ministry of Micro, Small, and Medium
Enterprises (MoMSME), in partnership
with the Open Network for Digital
Commerce (ONDC), has launched of Trade
Enablement and Marketing (TEAM)
initiative.
●​ It is aimed to enable MSMEs to embrace
digital commerce and expand their market
presence.
●​ It has been launched under the "Raising
and Accelerating MSME Productivity
(RAMP)" Programme.
●​ TEAM Initiative Funding: The initiative has
a budget of ₹277.35 crore over 3 years.
●​ Targeted beneficiaries: It will focus on
onboarding 5 lakh micro and small
 Weekly PDF January 2025: 5th Week January 2025

others showcased their unique tourism

products and experiences under the
Incredible India banner at FITUR
5. India's digital economy to contribute nearly
one-fifth national income by 2029-30
●​ India’s digital economy has emerged as a
significant contributor to its economic
growth, accounting for 11.74% of the GDP
(INR 31.64 lakh crore or USD 402 billion) in
3. THDC India Achieves Milestone with COD of 2022-23.
Khurja Super Thermal Power Plant (KSTPP) ●​ Employing 14.67 million workers (2.55% of
●​ THDC India Limited, a mini-Ratna public the workforce), the digital economy is
sector enterprise, has achieved the nearly five times more productive than the
commercial operation date (COD) for Unit 1 rest of the economy.
of the 1,320 MW Khurja Super Thermal ●​ Furthermore, digitalisation in traditional
Power Plant (KSTPP). sectors like BFSI, retail, and education
●​ The 660 MW unit, part of the 2x660 MW added 2% of GVA, showcasing the pervasive
KSTPP, achieved COD at midnight on impact of digital transformation.
January 25, following successful ●​ Projections indicate the digital economy’s
synchronisation with the grid, full-load share will grow to 20% of GVA by 2029-30,
testing, and a 72-hour trial run. outpacing agriculture and manufacturing.
●​ The KSTPP is designed to supply electricity ●​ Key growth drivers include the rapid
to Uttar Pradesh (64.7%), Rajasthan adoption of AI, cloud services, and the rise
(21.3%), Uttarakhand (3.9%), and of global capability centers (GCCs), with
unallocated regions (10.1%), ensuring a India hosting 55% of the world’s GCCs.
stable power supply to these areas. 6. India Simplifies Export Certification with eCoO
●​ THDC India Limited (formerly Tehri Hydro 2.0 System
Development Corporation Limited) ●​ The Directorate General of Foreign Trade
●​ 12 July 1988 (DGFT) has launched the enhanced
●​ Rishikesh, Uttarakhand Certificate of Origin (eCoO) 2.0 System.
●​ Chairman and MD : R. K. Vishnoi ●​ A significant upgrade designed to simplify
4. India’s participation in International Travel the certification process for exporters and
Trade Exhibition at FITUR, Madrid enhance trade efficiency.
●​ The Ministry of Tourism participated in one ●​ Additionally, the system now supports
of the leading travel fairs - IFEMA being Aadhaar-based e-signing alongside digital
held in Madrid, Spain. signature tokens, providing greater
●​ Aim: For positioning India as a potential flexibility.
leading destination in the source market of ●​ An integrated dashboard offers exporters
Spain and Latin America. seamless access to eCoO services, Free
●​ The exhibition at FITUR, considered to be a Trade Agreement (FTA) information, trade
benchmark event in the tourism sector, was events, and other resources.
held from 22nd - 26th January 2025. ●​ As of 1st January 2025, the electronic filing
●​ The Indian delegation comprised of more of Non-Preferential Certificates of Origin
than 23 co-exhibitors, including the State has become mandatory via the eCoO 2.0
Governments of Karnataka, Sikkim, platform, and is available to exporters at
Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand amongst
 Weekly PDF January 2025: 5th Week January 2025

https:// trade.gov.in under the “Get (DGCA) for the Type Certification of its
Certificate of Origin” section. eVTOL aircraft, the e200X.
7. Environment ministry approves reconstruction ●​ Aim: To launch its eVTOL services by 2026
of Teesta dam and is targeting the movement of over
●​ The Union Ministry of Environment, Forest 500,000 people daily within three years.
and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) has ●​ ePlane has achieved a significant step
approved the proposal for rebuilding the forward, ensuring that the e200X meets the
Teesta-III dam, despite concerns over its safety and operational standards for
design and stability. commercial service.
●​ The new structure will be a 10. Bengaluru-based startup unveils India's first
118.64-metre-tall concrete gravity dam. flying taxi prototype 'Shunya'
●​ The original 1,200 MW Teesta-III ●​ The Bengaluru-based Sarla Aviation, a new
Chungthang hydroelectric dam was player in urban air mobility, introduced its
destroyed in a flash flood on October 3-4, innovative electric flying taxi, Shunya, at the
2023. Bharat Mobility Global Expo.
●​ The flood, triggered by a Glacial Lake ●​ The startup revealed plans to bring its
Outburst Flood (GLOF) from the South electric vertical take-off and landing
Lhonak Lake, washed away the (eVTOL) vehicles to the skies by 2028.
60-metre-tall concrete dam, claiming 40 ●​ Aim: To be India’s first provider of urban
lives. air transportation.
●​ The project is located on the main Teesta ●​ The Shunya prototype is designed for
River in Mangan district, utilising a drop of short-distance commutes, capable of
approximately 800 metres between covering 20-30 km trips at speeds up to
Chungthang and Sankalang villages. 250 km/h.
8. ‘Anuja’ Nominated for Oscar, Backed by Priyanka ●​ With a capacity to carry six passengers and
Chopra & Guneet Monga a maximum payload of 680 kg, it is
●​ Anuja, a short film produced by Priyanka currently touted as the eVTOL with the
Chopra and Guneet Monga, has earned a highest payload in its category.
nomination for Best Live Action Short Film 11. Indore, Udaipur Join Global Wetland Cities
at the 97th Academy Awards. Network
●​ The film, directed by Adam J. Graves, tells ●​ Indore and Udaipur have made history by
the story of a young girl working in a becoming the first two cities from India to
garment factory in Delhi. be recognized as accredited Wetland Cities
●​ Film tells the story of a girl working in a under the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands.
Delhi garment factory, highlighting child ●​ Indore: Sirpur Lake, a Ramsar site, is
labor. recognized for its significance as a water
●​ Theme: Child labor, sibling bond bird congregation area and is being
9. ePlane Company becomes first in India to secure developed as a bird sanctuary.
DGCA acceptance for eVTOL certfication ●​ Udaipur: Surrounded by five major
●​ The ePlane Company, incubated at IIT wetlands, including Pichola, Fateh Sagar,
Madras and developer of electric Vertical Rang Sagar, Swaroop Sagar, and Doodh
Takeoff and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft, has Talai, which contribute to the city’s culture,
become the first private Indian company to identity, and microclimate regulation.
receive formal acceptance from the ●​ As of August 2024, India has 85 Ramsar
Directorate General of Civil Aviation sites
 Weekly PDF January 2025: 5th Week January 2025

12. Banke Bihari Temple Secures FCRA License to ●​ 5F vision of Hon’ble Prime Minister -Farm
Accept Foreign Donations to Fibre to Factory to Fashion to Foreign
●​ The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has 15. US Suspends USAID Funding to Bangladesh
approved the FCRA license for Vrindavan's ●​ The US has suspended all USAID funding to
Banke Bihari Temple, allowing it to receive Bangladesh as part of a 90-day global
foreign contributions. review of foreign aid initiated by President
●​ This follows court-directed changes in Trump.
temple management, enabling compliance ●​ Impact on: Key development projects,
with regulations. impacting sectors like governance, health,
●​ The Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, and education in Bangladesh
2010, regulates the acceptance and ●​ Recent Developments:
utilization of foreign contributions by ●​ US withdraws from Paris Agreement, WHO,
individuals, associations, and companies in and ending birthright citizenship.
India. ●​ Gulf of Mexico would be renamed as the
●​ Organizations must obtain FCRA “Gulf of America”.
registration to receive foreign funds, ●​ Mount Denali renamed Mount McKinley.
ensuring transparency and accountability 16. India, Indonesia to strengthen ties in defence,
in the use of such contributions. trade , security, AI and health
13. Over 16 lakh new enrollments under ESI in Nov ●​ Indonesia has shown interest in acquiring
2024 BrahMos missiles, co-developed by India
●​ Employees' State Insurance Corporation and Russia, with mutual defense
(ESIC) has added 16.07 lakh new workers collaboration discussions on modernizing
enrolled under the ESI scheme in Indonesia's defense capabilities.
November 2024. ●​ India and Indonesia reaffirmed their
●​ About 1% higher as compared to the commitment to combat terrorism,
year-ago month. emphasizing international cooperation to
●​ The ESIC had added 15.92 lakh new eliminate terrorist safe havens.
members in November 2023. 17. International Conference Marks 125 Years of
●​ Out of the total, 7.57 lakh employees, Solar Physics Research in India
amounting to around 47.11% of the total ●​ An international conference titled ‘Sun,
registrations belong to the age group of up Space Weather, and Solar-Stellar
to 25 years. Connections’ was held in Bengaluru from
●​ Also, the gender-wise analysis of the payroll January 20 to 24, 2025.
data indicates that the net enrolment of ●​ Aim: To commemorate the 125th
female members was 3.28 lakh in anniversary of the Kodaikanal Solar
November 2024. Observatory (KSO)
14. Textiles Minister Giriraj Singh to inaugurate ●​ Organized by: Indian Institute of
Handloom Conclave ‘Manthan’ Astrophysics (IIA)
●​ Union Minister of Textiles Giriraj Singh to ●​ The event gathered over 200 solar
inaugurate Handloom Conclave ‘Manthan’ physicists from India and abroad to discuss
at Dr. Ambedkar International Centre advancements in solar magnetism,
Janpath, New Delhi on 28.01.2025. solar-stellar connections, and space
●​ HMoT to launch Handloom weavers E- weather.
Pehchan Portal and Handloom Awards 18. NITI Aayog Unveils Fiscal Health Index 2025 in
Online module. New Delhi
 Weekly PDF January 2025: 5th Week January 2025

●​ NITI Aayog introduced the inaugural “Fiscal ●​ Chairman of CIL: PM Prasad

Health Index (FHI) 2025” in New Delhi. 20. Reliance Industries to Build World’s Largest
●​ This comprehensive report evaluates the Data Centre in Jamnagar, Gujarat
fiscal health of 18 major Indian states ●​ Reliance Industries, led by Chairman
●​ Aim: To guide policy reforms for Mukesh Ambani, is set to build the world’s
sustainable and resilient economic growth. largest data centre in Jamnagar, Gujarat.
●​ The introduction of the FHI aligns with ●​ This ambitious project is poised to be a
India’s broader vision of achieving “Viksit game-changer in India’s digital
Bharat @2047.” infrastructure, especially in terms of its
●​ Top-Ranked States: Odisha leads with a rapidly expanding artificial intelligence (AI)
cumulative score of 67.8, followed by capabilities.
Chhattisgarh (55.2) and Goa (53.6). ●​ Aim: To help India become more
competitive on the global AI stage while
contributing significantly to the nation’s
digital and technological growth.
●​ In a major boost to its AI ambitions,
Reliance has partnered with NVIDIA, a
global leader in AI technology.
●​ Maharashtra AI Policy Initiative
●​ AI Action Summit in France
●​ TakeMe2Space, a Hyderabad-based
company, will launch MOI-TD, which
represents India’s first AI lab in space.
●​ FREE-AI: RBI Forms Panel for Ethical AI
Guidelines
●​ Framework for Responsible and Ethical
Enablement of Artificial Intelligence
(FREE-AI)
21. Sinhtoo Dance to Debut at Republic Day Parade
2025
●​ The Sinhtoo dance, a traditional folk dance
of the Hatti community from the Giri region
of Sirmaur district, has been selected for
the 76th Republic Day parade in Delhi.
19. Coal Secretary Inaugurates Smart Classrooms ●​ This marks the first time the Sinhtoo
under CIL’s CSR Initiative showcased at such a prestigious national
●​ Coal Secretary Vikram Dev Dutt virtually event.
inaugurated digital classrooms in ●​ Sinhtoo is a mask dance where performers
Jharkhand as part of the 'Digi Vidya' CSR wear intricately crafted masks representing
initiative by Coal India Limited (CIL). various animals.
●​ The program aims to enhance education in 22. Tata Steel to decommission India's first stamp
mining areas, with 272 schools already charge coke oven battery
upgraded. ●​ Tata Steel issued an advisory about the
●​ Implementation by Subsidiaries decommissioning process of its coke oven
●​ Bharat Coking Coal Limited (BCCL) battery #7 at its Jamshedpur works on
●​ Central Coalfields Limited (CCL) January 27 to avoid misinterpretation of
 Weekly PDF January 2025: 5th Week January 2025

the flaring that will occur during the 3. India Ranks 4th in Global Firepower Index 2025
procedure for retiring the battery. ●​ India has been consistently ranked as the
●​ India's first stamp charge coke oven battery, fourth most powerful military in the world,
which remained operational for 36 years, according to the Global Firepower Index
produced over 12 million tonnes of coke 2025.
and revolutionised the steel industry. ●​ The Global Firepower Index ranks 145
●​ The decommissioning process will involve countries based on their conventional
isolating the battery from the by-product military strength across land, sea, and air.
plant foul gas suction network. ●​ Parameters for Ranking: Based on
Defence manpower, natural resources, finance,
1. Pralay Missile Set Debut At Republic Day Parade geography, external debts, and military
●​ India’s first ballistic missile designated for capability
conventional warfare. ●​ Top 10:
●​ Twin launcher system showcased at the ○​ United States of America – Score:
parade. 0.0744
●​ Defence Acquisition Council has granted ○​ Russia – Score: 0.0788
Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for several ○​ China – Score: 0.0788
hundred missiles for the Army and Air ○​ India – Score: 0.1184
Force. ○​ South Korea – Score: 0.1656
●​ It is a short-range surface-to-surface ○​ United Kingdom – Score: 0.1785
missile with a payload capacity of ○​ France – Score: 0.1878
500-1,000 kg. It has a range of 150 to 500 ○​ Japan – Score: 0.1839
kms. ○​ Turkey – Score: 0.1902
●​ Key capabilities: ○​ Italy – Score: 0.2164
●​ Flexible range and warhead options. ●​ Weaknesses for India: Low in helicopter
●​ Preemptive strike potential against carrier strength and mine warfare at sea,
adversary assets. ranked 145th in both
2. CCS clears Army's Rs 10000 crore Pinaka rocket ●​ Pakistan’s Ranking: Pakistan ranked 12th,
deal dropped from 9th position
●​ The Cabinet Committee on Security has 4. INS Sarvekshak Completes Hydrographic Survey
cleared the project to buy over Rs 10,000 in Mauritius
crore worth of ammunition for the Indian ●​ The Indian Navy’s INS Sarvekshak has
Army's Pinaka multi-barrel rocket launcher successfully concluded a major
systems. hydrographic survey in Mauritius.
●​ The Army already has four regiments of ●​ This survey covered over 25,000 square
Pinaka rocket systems. While the Pinaka nautical miles.
MK-I rocket system has a range of around ●​ The formal handover of the survey results
40 km, the Pinaka II variant can hit targets took place on January 23, 2025.
at a distance of 60 km. ●​ High Commissioner of India to Mauritius,
●​ The Pinaka MBRL named after the Anurag Srivastava, presented the fair sheet
legendary bow of Lord Shiva, was originally and nautical charts to President
designed to replace the Soviet-era Grad Dharambeer Gokhool.
BM-21 rocket launcher. ●​ This event marks milestone in
●​ During its first deployment in the Kargil India-Mauritius maritime cooperation.
War, it played a crucial role in neutralising MoUs
enemy positions in challenging terrain.
 Weekly PDF January 2025: 5th Week January 2025

1. IRCTC to team up with ITC, Tata and Harvest Gold Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)
for food delivery with Bhashini.
●​ Indian Railways’ catering, ticketing and ●​ Bhashini is a revolutionary initiative
hospitality arm IRCTC has tied up with ITC, under the Digital India program, to ensure
Tata Group and Harvest Gold to revamp its seamless communication and internet
food offering. accessibility for all Citizens in 22 Indian
●​ This follows the collaboration with food languages.
aggregating platform Zomato announced in
●​ Bhashini is India’s AI-powered language
September 2024.
translation platform designed to facilitate
2. India, UK renew five-year partnership to
seamless communication and internet
strengthen health cooperation
●​ India and the United Kingdom have
accessibility in 22 Indian languages. It
renewed their health and life sciences uses voice-based technology to overcome
partnership, signing a five-year language barriers and promote digital
Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to inclusivity.
deepen collaboration in critical health ●​ Developed by: Digital India Bhashini
sectors. Division (DIBD), under the Ministry of
●​ The MoU focuses on joint efforts to address Electronics and Information Technology
global health challenges, including (MeitY), Government of India.
antimicrobial resistance (AMR), ●​ Ministry: Ministry of Electronics and
non-communicable diseases (NCDs), digital Information Technology (MeitY).
health innovations, and pharmaceutical ●​ Bhashini, the National Language
advancements.
Technology Mission (NLTM), was
3 DG Shipping signs an Umbrella MoU with DCG of
launched by the Prime Minister in July
C-DAC
2022
●​ Directorate General of Shipping (DGS) and
5. DPIIT and JKEDI sign MoU
the Centre for Development of Advanced
●​ The Department for Promotion of Industry
Computing (C-DAC) have signed an
and Internal Trade (DPIIT) has partnered
umbrella Memorandum of Understanding
with the Jammu & Kashmir
(MoU).
Entrepreneurship Development Institute
●​ Aim: To modernize India’s maritime
(JKEDI).
administration through the adoption of
●​ MoU focuses on fostering innovation,
advanced technologies.
providing mentorship, and offering
4. Tripura becomes first North East State to sign
infrastructural support to startups within
MoU with Bhashini
the Union Territory.
●​ The Government of Tripura, has signed a
6. India and Indonesia Sign Five MoUs to
MOU agreement with Digital India Bhashini
Strengthen Bilateral Ties
Division (DIBD) of the Ministry of
●​ India and Indonesia have signed five
Electronics and Information Technology
Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs)
(MeitY) to facilitate citizen’s digital
during Indonesian President Prabowo
participation by using these languages in
Subianto’s official visit to New Delhi from
governance.
January 23 to 26, 2025.
●​ Tripura stands as the first north-eastern
●​ Key MoUs Areas
state, the first in eastern India, and the
●​ 1. Health Cooperation
eighth state in the country to sign a
●​ 2. Maritime Safety & Security
 Weekly PDF January 2025: 5th Week January 2025

●​ 3. Traditional Medicine Quality Assurance cultural heritage, and raise awareness

●​ 4. Digital Development about these remarkable trees.
●​ 5. Cultural Exchange Program (2025-2028) ●​ Technology Used: Geo-tagging with
7. Blueleaf to buy into Jakson's 1GW solar projects Geographic Information System (GIS),
at EV of $400 million Quick Response (QR) codes, and metal
●​ Blueleaf Energy, a Singapore-based cards featuring barcodes for public
renewable energy platform, has partnered scanning.
with Noida-based Jackson Green to invest ●​ Oldest Chinar: 700 years old (Budgam
$400 million to develop 1 GW solar projects district)
in Rajasthan. ●​ Largest Chinar: 74-ft girth (Ganderbal
●​ The project aims to generate over 1,800 district)
GWh of renewable energy annually, 3. Nagaland Governor launches Chief Minister’s
meeting the energy needs of over 1.5 Mobile Operation Theatre
million Indian households. ●​ The Nagaland government launched a
mobile operation theatre on the occasion of
the 76th Republic Day.
●​ Governor La Ganesan and Chief Minister
Neiphiu Rio flagged off the Chief Minister's
Mobile Operation Theatre (CMMOT) at the
secretariat plaza.
●​ The facility features a fully equipped mobile
surgical unit and portable diagnostic tools
States such as ultrasound, X-ray, endoscopy, and
1. ‘Samman Sanjeevani’ App Unveiled on National blood testing equipment, along with
Girl Child Day instruments for minimally invasive
●​ Haryana Cabinet Minister Shruti Choudhry surgeries.
introduced the 'Samman Sanjeevani' app. 4. AWS plans $8.3 billion investment in cloud
●​ It is designed to improve the effectiveness infrastructure in Maharashtra by 2030
of the 'Mahila Evam Kishori Samman ●​ Amazon Web Services (AWS) has
Yojana.' announced its plans to invest $8.3 billion
●​ The initiative targets providing crucial into cloud infrastructure in the AWS
services to BPL (Below Poverty Line) Asia-Pacific (Mumbai) Region in
women and girls aged 10 to 45. Maharashtra.
●​ Sanitary napkins are provided to BPL ●​ Aim: To further expand cloud computing
women and girls between the ages of capacity in India.
10-45. ●​ This investment is estimated to contribute
2. J&K govt starts digital Aadhar and geo-tagging $15.3 billion to India’s GDP and support
for iconic Chinar trees over 81,300 full-time jobs annually in the
●​ The Jammu & Kashmir Forest Research local data centre supply chain by 2030.
Institute (JKFRI) has launched the ‘Digital 5. Himachal Pradesh Statehood Day 2025
Tree Aadhar’ initiative. ●​ Himachal Pradesh (H.P.) celebrates its
●​ Aim: To provide each chinar tree with a Statehood Day on 25th January every year,
unique digital identity. marking the day when it officially became
●​ This ambitious project integrates the 18th state of the Indian Union in 1971.
technology to protect biodiversity, preserve ●​ State Animal: Snow Leopard
●​ State Bird: Western Tragopan
 Weekly PDF January 2025: 5th Week January 2025

●​ State Flower: Pink Rhododendron ●​ Aim: To enhance the Akhanda Godavari and
●​ State Language: Hindi and local dialects Gandikota tourism circuits.
●​ National Parks ●​ The projects will be executed through a
●​ Great Himalayan National Park (a UNESCO Public Private People Partnership model,
World Heritage Site). with tenders expected to be invited shortly.
●​ Pin Valley National Park. ●​ The Akhanda Godavari project will allocate
●​ Khirganga, Inderkila, and Simbalbara ₹98 crore for its development.
National Parks. ●​ The Gandikota tourism circuit receives ₹79
6. Madhya Pradesh Enforces Liquor Ban in crore for its development.
Religious Towns 8. Dibrugarh as Assam’s second capital
●​ Madhya Pradesh has recently taken step ●​ Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma
towards prohibition by banning liquor sales announced that Dibrugarh would be the
in 17 religious towns. second capital of Assam.
●​ This decision, announced by Chief Minister ●​ There are at least five key reasons behind
Mohan Yadav, coincides with the 300th the politically and culturally significant
birth anniversary of the revered Maratha move, which will see power flow up the
ruler Devi Ahilyabai Holkar. Brahmaputra.
●​ Aim: To address long-standing concerns ●​ The government would construct a
regarding alcohol consumption in holy permanent building of the Assam Assembly
areas while navigating the complex in Dibrugarh on the southern banks of the
socio-economic landscape of the state. Brahmaputra in Upper Assam.
●​ Dr. Virendra Kumar inaugurated the 9. PM Modi to Inaugurate ‘Utkarsh Odisha,
National Institute of Mental Health Make-in-Odisha Conclave’
Rehabilitation (NIMHR) in Sehore, Madhya ●​ Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated
Pradesh, to support mental health and the two-day Utkarsh Odisha-Make in
empower Divyangjan. Odisha conclave-2025, the flagship Global
●​ Madhya Pradesh: CM Mohan Yadav Investment Summit hosted by the Odisha
inaugurated a Drone Training Centre in government.
Indore, emphasizing collaboration with IIT ●​ The conclave will be held at Janata Maidan
Bhopal to expand drone use among women, in Bhubaneswar from 28th to 29th January.
youth, and farmers. ●​ The Utkarsh Odisha conclave aims to
●​ Wall Street Journal lists Madhya Pradesh position Odisha as the anchor of Purvodaya
among "Go-To Global Destinations for Vision, a leading investment destination
2025," highlighting its rich heritage, and industrial hub in India.
wildlife, and natural beauty. ●​ PM Modi will also inaugurate the Make in
●​ Actor Pankaj Tripathi has been appointed Odisha Exhibition, highlighting the state’s
as the new face of Madhya Pradesh Tourism achievements in developing a vibrant
7. Andhra Pradesh Announces Major Tourism industrial ecosystem.
Projects 10. Haryana Chief Minister inaugurates 324 new
●​ The Minister for Tourism and creche centres
Cinematography, Kandula Durgesh, recently ●​ Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini
announced funding for two major tourism inaugurated 324 new crèche centers across
projects in Andhra Pradesh. the state by pressing the button from
●​ The Ministry of Tourism has sanctioned Chandigarh on the completion of 100 days
₹177 crore under the Special Assistance to of state government.
States for Capital Investment scheme.
 Weekly PDF January 2025: 5th Week January 2025

●​ With this, the total number of crèche ●​ Himachal Pradesh to Launch 'Himbhog'
centers in the state has increased to 500. Maize Flour
●​ On this occasion, the Chief Minister also Schemes
directly transferred 368 crores of bonus for 1. Mutual credit guarantee scheme for MSMEs gets
Kharif crop in the farmers’ accounts. Finance Ministry nod
11. Himachal Pradesh Approves Cannabis ●​ GoI has approved introduction of Mutual
Cultivation Pilot Project Credit Guarantee Scheme for MSMEs
●​ The Himachal Pradesh government has (MCGS- MSME) for providing 60%
recently approved a pilot project for guarantee coverage by National Credit
cannabis cultivation. Guarantee Trustee Company Limited
●​ The initiative aims to explore the (NCGTC) to Member Lending Institutions
agricultural, medicinal, and industrial (MLIs) for credit facility upto Rs.100 crore
potential of cannabis. sanctioned to eligible MSMEs under
●​ The state is joining others like Uttarakhand MCGS-MSME for purchase of equipment /
and Uttar Pradesh in permitting controlled machinery.
cannabis cultivation. ●​ Salient Features of The Scheme
●​ However, in 1985, the Narcotic Drugs and ●​ Borrower should be an MSME with valid
Psychotropic Substances Act was enacted, Udyam Registration Number;
banning its cultivation. ●​ Loan amount guaranteed shall not exceed
●​ This ban was influenced by international Rs.100 crore
pressures and misconceptions about
●​ Project Cost could be of higher amounts
cannabis.
also
●​ About HP:
●​ Minimum cost of equipment /machinery is
●​ Capitals: Shimla (Summer), Dharamshala
(Winter) 75% of project cost
●​ Chief minister: Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu ●​ Loan upto Rs.50 crore under the Scheme
●​ Governor: Shiv Pratap Shukla shall have repayment period of upto 8
●​ As state: 25 January 1971 years with upto 2 years moratorium period
●​ Himachal Pradesh's Sadhbhawana Legacy on principal instalments. For loans above
Cases Resolution Scheme Rs.50 crore, higher repayment schedule
●​ Scheme aims to resolve 3,500 cases and and moratorium period on principal
generate Rs 10 crore revenue. instalments can be considered.
●​ Himachal Pradesh celebrated its Statehood ●​ Upfront (initial) contribution of 5% of the
Day on January 25 each year, loan amount shall be deposited at the time
commemorating its transition to the 18th of application of guarantee cover
state of India in 1971.
●​ Annual Guarantee Fee on loan under the
●​ The Shikari Devi Wildlife Sanctuary in
Scheme shall be Nil during the year of
Mandi, Himachal Pradesh, now has an ESZ
sanction. During the next 3 years, it shall
encompassing 43 villages within a 2 km
radius.
be 1.5% p.a. of loan outstanding as on
●​ Himachal Pradesh Cabinet approved March 31 of previous year. Thereafter,
renaming the Himachal Pradesh Institute of Annual Guarantee Fee shall be 1% p.a. of
Public Administration (HIPA) as Dr. loan outstanding as on March 31 of
Manmohan Singh Himachal Pradesh previous year
Institute of Public Administration. ●​ The Scheme will be applicable to all loans
sanctioned under MCGS-MSME during
 Weekly PDF January 2025: 5th Week January 2025

the period of 4 years from the date of issue ●​ 2025 theme: Take control of your data
of operational guidelines of the scheme or 8. National Tourism Day 2025
till cumulative guarantee of Rs. 7 lakh ●​ National Tourism Day is celebrated
crore are issued, whichever is earlier. annually on January 25 to promote
●​ Tenure of the scheme : 4 years responsible, sustainable, and accessible
tourism across India.
●​ Total Guarantee Cover : 7 lakh crore
●​ The theme for this year’s National Tourism
Important Dates Day is “Tourism for Inclusive Growth”.
1. International Holocaust Remembrance Day 2025 Appointments
●​ Date: 27th January 2025 1. M. Mohan Appointed as Director of ISRO’s Liquid
●​ Reason: To commemorates the victims of Propulsion Systems Centre
the Holocaust, which resulted in the ●​ M. Mohan was appointed as the Director of
genocide of one-third of the Jewish people ISRO's Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre
along with countless numbers of (LPSC) in Thiruvananthapuram.
individuals of other minority groups, by ●​ He takes over from Dr. V. Narayanan, who
Nazi Germany between 1933 and 1945: an became ISRO Chairman.
attempt to implement its "Final Solution" to 2. P. Suriaraj Appointed Executive Director of
the Jewish question. Dhanlaxmi Bank
●​ Theme 2025: Theme: Holocaust ●​ As of January 2025, Dhanlaxmi Bank’s
Remembrance for Dignity and Human board comprises:
Rights ●​ K.N. Madhusoodanan: Part-Time Chairman
2. Martyrs’ Day Observed on Jan 30 ●​ Ajith Kumar K.K.: Managing Director & CEO
●​ Every year on January 30, India observes ●​ G. Rajagopalan Nair: Independent Director
Martyrs' Day to honour those who made ●​ D.K. Kashyap: RBI Additional Director
sacrifices for their nation. ●​ Dhanlaxmi Bank’s headquarters: Thrissur,
●​ This day is especially noteworthy since it Kerala
pays tribute to the death anniversary of 3. SSB Chief Amrit Mohan Gets Additional Charge as
Mahatma Gandhi, the leader of India’s BCAS DG
nonviolent freedom struggle. ●​ The Central Government has appointed
3. World Neglected Tropical Diseases Day 2025: Amrit Mohan Prasad, Director General (DG)
30th January of Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), to also take
●​ Theme 2025: Unite, Act, and Eliminate on the additional responsibility of Director
NTDs General (DG) of the Bureau of Civil Aviation
4. International Day of Clean Energy 2025 Security (BCAS).
●​ Date: 26th January 2025 4. Jitender Pal Singh Appointed as India’s New
●​ Theme 2025: Climate Change: The Need for Ambassador to Israel
a Global Energy Transition
5. International Customs Day 2025 5. Janet Petro was appointed acting NASA
●​ Date: 26th January administrator by US President Donald Trump
●​ Theme 2025: Customs Delivering on its
Commitment to Efficiency, Security, and 6. Sridhar Vembu steps down as Chief Executive
Prosperity Officer of Zoho Corporation
6. National Geographic Day 2025 ●​ Sridhar Vembu, founder and CEO of Zoho
●​ Date: 27th January Corporation, a Chennai-based tech firm, has
7. Data Protection Day 2025 stepped down as the CEO to take up Chief
●​ Date: January 28, 2025 Scientist's job in the company.
 Weekly PDF January 2025: 5th Week January 2025

●​ The company's co-founder Shailesh Kumar country’s first heart bypass surgery in
Davey will take over as the group CEO 1975, died
7. Bank of America Appoints Mandar Donde as Awards
Head of India Investment Banking 1. New Zealand star Milie Kerr wins ICC Women's
8. ICC CEO Resigns Amid Concerns Over Pakistan’s Cricketer of the Year
Champions Trophy Readiness ●​ New Zealand all-rounder Melie Kerr made
●​ Geoff Allardice, the Chief Executive Officer history by becoming the first Kiwi recipient
(CEO) of the International Cricket Council of the prestigious Rachael Heyhoe Flint
(ICC), resigned. Trophy, earning the title of ICC Women's
9. Serbia’s Prime Minister Milos Vucevic resigns as Cricketer of the Year for her exceptional
protests raise political pressure performances in 2024.
10. Amitabh Bachchan named brand ambassador 2. Doordarshan Honored for Electoral Campaigns
for India Gate Basmati Rice on Voter Awareness
●​ Doordarshan has been honored with the
11. Ayushmann Khurrana Appointed Brand prestigious award in the Electronic Media
Ambassador for FICCI Frames 25th Anniversary category for its 360-degree comprehensive
Edition campaign on Voter Awareness and
●​ Bollywood actor Ayushmann Khurrana has Education.
been appointed as the brand ambassador ●​ Doordarshan has been recognised for its
for this year's edition of FICCI Frames. impactful coverage, including the "Chunav
●​ FICCI Frames, India’s premier global media Ka Parv Desh Ka Garv" series during the
and entertainment convention, is gearing Lok Sabha Elections 2024, which
up to celebrate its 25th anniversary this highlighted the importance of informed and
year. responsible voting.
●​ The 25th anniversary edition of FICCI 3. IBA honours Karnataka Bank with six awards
Frames will focus on the theme of “RISE: ●​ Karnataka Bank won awards in six
Redefining Innovation, Sustainability and categories at the ‘20th Annual Banking
Excellence.” Technology Conference, Expo & Citations,
12. Akhil Gupta Appointed as Chairman of Bharti 2024’, instituted by Indian Banks’
AXA Life Insurance Association, recently.
●​ Akhil Gupta, Vice Chairman of Bharti ●​ The awards were: ‘Best Tech Talent and
Enterprises, was appointed as the new Organization’, ‘Best IT Risk Management’,
Chairman of Bharti AXA Life Insurance. ‘Best Technology Bank’, and ‘Best Fintech
●​ Bharti Enterprises HQ: New Delhi and DPI Adoption’ (all runner-ups); and
Obituaries ‘Best Digital Sales, Payments and
1. Latika Katt: Prominent Indian Sculptor Passes Engagement’ and ‘Best AI and ML Adoption’
Away At 76 (special mention).
●​ MD& CEO: Srikrishnan H
2. Veteran writer, former Judge Narendra 4. Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha Honored with
Chapalgaonkar passes away Maharaja Hari Singh Award
●​ Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha was
3. Pioneer of Indian cardiac surgery Dr KM Cherian conferred with the prestigious Maharaja
dies at 82 Hari Singh Award at a grand ceremony held
●​ A pioneer of cardiac surgery Dr KM at Satyam Resort, Jammu.
Cherian, credited with performing the ●​ The event, organized by the Gulistan News
Network, was part of the ‘Maharaja Hari
 Weekly PDF January 2025: 5th Week January 2025

Singh Peace and Harmony Award 2024-25’ ●​ The awards are given in three categories:
celebrations. Padma Vibhushan (for exceptional and
●​ The award recognized LG Sinha’s distinguished service), Padma Bhushan
contributions to reforms and planning in (distinguished service of higher order) and
Jammu and Kashmir. Padma Shri (distinguished service).
5. Uttar Pradesh’s Tableau Wins People’s Choice
Award at Republic Day Parade
●​ Best Marching Contingent among Services -
Jammu & Kashmir Rifles Contingent
●​ Best Marching Contingent among
CAPFs/other auxiliary forces - Delhi Police
Marching Contingent
●​ Top three tableaux (States/UTs)
●​ 1st - Uttar Pradesh (Mahakumbh 2025 -
Swarnim Bharat: Virasat aur Vikas)
●​ 2nd - Tripura (Eternal Reverence: The
worship of 14 Deities in Tripura - Kharchi
Puja)
●​ 3rd - Andhra Pradesh (Etikoppaka
Bommalu - Eco-Friendly Wooden Toys)
●​ Best Tableau from Central
Ministries/Departments: Ministry of Tribal
Affairs (Janjatiya Gaurav Varsh)
6. Bumrah Crowned ICC Men’s Test Cricketer of the
Year 2024

7. Smriti Mandhana Named ICC Women’s ODI

Cricketer of the Year 2024

8. Omarzai Crowned ICC Men’s ODI Cricketer of the

Year 2024
9. Gallantry Awards 2025
●​ President Droupadi Murmu honors 93
brave personnel with Kirti Chakra, Shaurya
Chakra, Sena Medal, Nao Sena Medal, and
Vayu Sena Medal for their extraordinary 11. Arshdeep Singh, ICC Men’s T20I Cricketer of the
valor and selfless service to the nation. Year 2024
●​ The honours include 2 Kirti Chakras, 14 ●​ Arshdeep Singh was named the ICC Men’s
Shaurya Chakras, 1 Bar to Sena Medal T20I Cricketer of the Year 2024.
(Gallantry), 66 Sena Medals, 2 Nao Sena ●​ Arshdeep Singh was the leading
Medals, and 8 Vayu Sena Medals. wicket-taker for India in T20 Internationals
10. Padma Awards 2025 in 2024, claiming 36 wickets in just 18
●​ The Padma Awards are one of the highest matches.
civilian honours of India announced
annually on the eve of Republic Day.
 Weekly PDF January 2025: 5th Week January 2025

12. President Droupadi Murmu approves

Tatrakshak medals for 8 Indian Coast Guard
personnel
●​ President Droupadi Murmu has approved
President’s Tatrakshak Medal (PTM) and
Tatrakshak Medal (TM) to the Indian Coast
Guard (ICG) personnel on the eve of 76th
Republic Day.
●​ These awards recognise their acts of
conspicuous gallantry, exceptional devotion
to duty, and distinguished/meritorious
service.
●​ Categories:
Science & Technology
●​ President’s Tatrakshak Medal
1. GalaxEye achieves breakthrough with first fusion
(Distinguished Service)
of SAR and optical imagery
●​ Tatrakshak Medal (Gallantry)
●​ GalaxEye announced the successful
●​ Tatrakshak Medal (Meritorious Service)
deployment of its revolutionary GLX-SQ
payload aboard Isro’s PSLV Orbital
Books & Authors
Experimental Module (POEM) platform.
●​ This milestone marks a groundbreaking
leap in space technology, featuring the
world’s first-ever fusion of Synthetic
 Weekly PDF January 2025: 5th Week January 2025

Aperture Radar (SAR) and optical imagery 2. Khelo India Winter Games 2025
in orbit—a transformative achievement set ●​ The Union Territory of Ladakh finished on
to redefine remote sensing capabilities. top of the Khelo India Winter Games
●​ GalaxEye’s state-of-the-art capabilities in (KIWG) 2025, the first phase of which
data acquisition, real-time processing, concluded at the NDS Stadium.
efficient communication, and advanced ●​ Leh, the capital of Ladakh, hosted the
power management. games for the second time this year.
●​ Deployed on ISRO’s trailblazing POEM ●​ The grand finale featured a thrilling men’s
platform, which ingeniously converts the ice hockey final, where the Indian Army
PSLV rocket’s fourth stage into an orbital edged past ITBP 2-1 to retain the KIWG
testbed, this mission provides an crown.
unparalleled opportunity for GalaxEye to ●​ The second and final phase of KIWG 2025 is
validate its cutting-edge technology in a scheduled to take place in Gulmarg, Jammu
real-world space environment. & Kashmir, from February 22 to 25.
1. Isro’s 100th mission from Sriharikota takes off 3. Australian Open 2025
●​ ISRO has launched its 100th rocket, the ●​ Men's singles: No.1 seed Jannik Sinner
GSLV-F15, carrying the NVS-02 satellite to secured a second successive Australian
enhance India's Regional Navigation Open title over No.2 seed German
Satellite System. Alexander Zverev.
●​ Launched from: Satish Dhawan Space ●​ Women's singles: American Madison Keys
Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh. ●​ Men's doubles: Finland's Harri Heliovaara
●​ This launch aims to improve positioning and partner Henry Patten of Great Britain
accuracy, with 5 of 7 satellites in space. ●​ Women's doubles: Katerina Siniakova and
●​ Scientists praise the indigenously built Taylor Townsend
satellite, envisioning ISRO's leadership in ●​ Mixed doubles: Olivia Gadecki and John
space research by 2047. Peers
4. Madison Keys Wins Australian Open 2025
Women’s Champion
●​ Madison Keys has made history by
clinching her first-ever Grand Slam title at
the 2025 Australian Open.
●​ She defeated two-time defending champion
Aryna Sabalenka
5. 38th National Games
●​ Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated
the 38th Summer National Games at
Dehradun, Uttarakhand on 28 January
2025.
●​ The opening ceremony was held at the
Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium
Sports in Dehradun, Uttarakhand.
1. 9th Johor International Open Chess Tournament ●​ Mascot of the Game - Mauli. Mauli is a
●​ Indian Grandmaster Iniyan Panneerselvam Monal bird
clinched the 9th Johor International Open ●​ Note: Goa hosted the 37th Summer
chess tournament title in Malaysia with a National Games from 25 September -9
dominating performance November 2023 with Maharashtra topping
 Weekly PDF January 2025: 5th Week January 2025

the medal tally with 228 medals- 80 gold,

69 silver, and 79 bronze.
6. Odisha Warriors Win First Women’s Hockey
India League Title
●​ The Odisha Warriors secured the first-ever
Women's Hockey India League (HIL) title
with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Soorma
Hockey Club in the final.
●​ The match took place at the Marang Gomke
Jaipal Singh Stadium in Ranchi.
●​ Hero of the Match: Ruturaj Dadaso Pisal
●​ Player Awards:
●​ Player of the Tournament: Jyoti (Soorma
HC)
●​ Best Goalkeeper: Savita (Soorma HC)
●​ Upcoming Player: Sonam (Soorma HC)
●​ Top Scorer (Shared): Yibbi Jansen (Odisha
Warriors), Charlotte Englebert (Soorma
HC)
7. Australia Clinches ICC Women’s Championship
Trophy for Third Consecutive Time
●​ Australia secured the championship for the
third consecutive time.
●​ Captain Alyssa Healy received the trophy in
Melbourne from Mike Baird (Cricket
Australia Chair & ICC Director)