1.     World Hindi Day (January 10): Celebrated annually to promote Hindi as an international language.

2.     Indus Food 2024:  Inaugurated by Union Minister Piyush Goyal at India Exposition Mart, Greater Noida.

3.     PRITHVI Scheme: Approved by the Cabinet, a scheme by the Ministry of Earth Sciences.

4.     Chandubi Festival in Assam: Aims to promote eco-tourism and preserve water levels in a biodiversity hotspot.

5.     Tropical Cyclone Alvaro: Significant impact on southwest Madagascar on January 1, 2024.

6.     Bilkis Bano Case: Supreme Court reverses remission, orders arrest and return to jail.

7.     Other Current Affairs:

·       Sheikh Hasina-led Awami League wins majority in national elections.

·       Traditional Medicine Morbidity Codes launched.

·       Infibeam Avenues signs MoU with Gujarat govt.

·       Footballer Franz Beckenbauer passes away.

·       Gabriel Attal named the new Prime Minister of France.

·       IIT Madras to start a new campus in Sri Lanka.

8.     National News:   Ujjain unveils India’s first hygienic food street ‘Prasadam.’

9.      International News: 

·       Gabriel Attal becomes France’s youngest-ever Prime Minister.

·       U.S. designates countries for religious freedom violations.

10.  Defence News:

·       Indian Navy’s P-8I Aircraft in Guam for Exercise Sea Dragon 24.

·       DRDO launches assault rifle ‘Ugram’ for Indian Army.

11.    Banking News:  IndusInd Bank introduces ‘Samman RuPay Credit Card’ for government employees.

12.    Business News: 

·       LIC approves acquisition of 10% stake in NHB-promoted company.

·       PFC secures RBI approval for IFSC Finance Company in GIFT City.

13.       Important Days News: 

·       World Hindi Day 2024 theme: “Hindi–Bridging Traditional Knowledge and Artificial Intelligence.”

·       India to chair UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee in 2024.

14.  Summits & Conferences News:

·       Piyush Goyal inaugurates Indus Food 2024 in Greater Noida.

·       PM Modi inaugurates Vibrant Gujarat Global Trade Show.

15.  Agreements News:  Gensol Engineering allocates Rs 2,000 crore for Gujarat EV plant.

16.   Awards News:  Singapore’s Changi Airport named World’s Best Airport for 2023.

17.   Appointments News:  Samir Kumar Sinha assumes role as DG (Acquisition) in Defence Ministry.

18.      Sports News: Germany defeats Poland in the United Cup led by Alexander Zverev.

19.    FIH and Viacom18 Media Rights Deal: Four-year partnership from 2023 to 2027.

20.    Obituaries News: 

·       German actor Christian Oliver dies in a plane crash.

·       Maestro Ustad Rashid Khan passes away at 55.

21.  Miscellaneous News: 

·       Red Ant Chutney of Odisha receives Geographical Indication (GI) tag.

·       EU scientists confirm 2023 as the hottest year ever recorded.

 

1.     Commemorating the arrival of Mahatma Gandhi in India in 1915, January 9th marks Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, a celebration honoring the invaluable contributions of the global Indian community.

2.     Kolkata hosted the inaugural meeting of the Inland Waterways Development Committee (IWDC), charting a course for river cruise tourism and eco-friendly vessels.

3.     ONGC achieves a significant milestone with the commencement of oil production in the Krishna-Godavari deep-water block, catalyzing India's energy sector.

4.     Mamata Banerjee's "Yogyasree" initiative in West Bengal offers free preparatory training to SC/ST students for government job exams, promoting educational opportunities.

5.     Suchetha Satish from Kerala sets a Guinness record by singing in over 100 languages at the 'Concert for Climate,' showcasing her exceptional musical talent.

6.     The government allocates Rs 60,000 crore towards fostering river cruise tourism, water transport infrastructure, and green employment opportunities.

7.     Microsoft embarks on an AI Odyssey, aiming to train 100,000 Indian developers in cutting-edge AI technologies.

8.     Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and Uttar Pradesh emerge as the top three states propelling India's MSME growth.

9.     Denmark launches the Green Fuels Alliance India, fostering sustainable energy collaboration and initiatives.

10. Ritesh Pai assumes the role of CEO for the international payments division at PhonePe.

11. Indra Mani Pandey assumes the position of BIMSTEC Secretary General, furthering regional cooperation and development.

12. The National Sports Awards 2023 recognize exemplary athletes like Mohammed Shami and Ojas Pravin Deotale for their outstanding contributions.

13. Franz Beckenbauer, the revered World Cup legend, passes away at the age of 78, leaving a lasting legacy in football.

14. The U.S. marks a historic milestone by launching the Peregrine-1 lander to the Moon, signaling a new chapter in space exploration.

15. Madagascar faces the impact of the first cyclone of 2024, Alvaro, causing significant disruption and challenges.

16. Discovery of ancient tools in Telangana's Mulugu district reshapes historical narratives, offering new insights into the region's past.

1.     Hyperloop Facility : ArcelorMittal and IIT Madras are working together to create Asia's first Hyperloop facility.

2.     Toy Imports : Toy imports dropped by 52%, while exports increased by 239% over eight years.

3.     Pharma Manufacturing Rules : Health Ministry revised rules for pharmaceutical manufacturing to maintain quality.

4.     Sunderbans Honey : Sunderbans honey, collected by the "Mouli" community, got a GI tag.

5.     Black Nunia Rice : This rice, known as the "Prince of Rice," received its GI tag.

6.     Solar and Wind Power : Tata Power will invest ?70,000 crore to build 10 GW of solar and wind power in Tamil Nadu.

7.     National PACS Mega Conclave : An event celebrated the achievements of Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Jan Aushadhi Kendra by Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS).

8.     India-Nepal Relations Boost : India and Nepal strengthened ties, agreeing for India to import 10,000 MW of hydroelectricity from Nepal and providing financial aid.

9.     Kyrgyzstan’s Snow Leopard : Kyrgyzstan declared the snow leopard as its national symbol, focusing on conservation.

10. Bangladesh Election : Sheikh Hasina secured her fifth term as Bangladesh's Prime Minister.

11. Delhi’s Economic Growth : Delhi's per capita income grew by over 14%, reaching Rs 4,44,768.

12. West Bengal’s GI Tags : West Bengal secured GI tags for products like Sunderbans Honey and Black Nunia Rice.

13. Tamil Nadu’s Economic Vision : Tamil Nadu aims for a $1 trillion economy by 2030.

14. RBI Financial Report : The report highlights the strength of scheduled commercial banks.

15. Vietnam’s Investment in Tamil Nadu : Vietnamese company VinFast Auto plans to invest $2 billion in an EV facility in Tamil Nadu.

16. ANC Foundation Day : The African National Congress celebrated its Foundation Day.

17. Earth’s Rotation Day : Celebrating Earth's rotation, honoring Léon Foucault's groundbreaking experiment.

18. Chennai as Best City for Women : Chennai ranked top for women inclusivity in 2023.

19. International Purple Fest : Goa hosted the inclusive festival for persons with disabilities.

20. India-Guyana MoU : India and Guyana signed an MoU for collaboration in the hydrocarbon sector.

21. Adani Ports CEO Appointment : Ashwani Gupta appointed as CEO of Adani Ports.

22. Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puruskar : Awards recognizing contributions to sports development in India.

23. ICC Rule Changes : Altered rules in cricket for stumping incidents.

24. Indian Army Chief’s Book : Gen MM Naravane's autobiography titled "Four Stars of Destiny."

25. Electrically Conductive Soil : Swedish scientists developed "E-Soil" to boost plant growth, particularly barley seedlings.

1.     ERNET Launch: The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology launched ERNET, a web portal for educational institutions.

2.     Greener Boats Plan: The government prepared a 15,000 crore plan for eco-friendly ferries and boats.

3.     Jewellery Trade Show:  Piyush Goyal inaugurated the India International Jewellery Trade Show.

4.     Education Initiative:  The Education Ministry introduced PRERANA: Experiential Learning.

5.     Climate Action: NABARD, ADB, and Gates Foundation launched a climate action initiative.

6.     Solar Projects: SBI signed a $165 million LoC with the World Bank for rooftop solar projects.

7.     Corporate Tie-up:  Karur Vysya Bank and HDFC Life formed a corporate agency tie-up.

8.     New Airport:  Prime Minister inaugurated Maharishi Valmiki International Airport.

9.     RBI Update:  RBI revised the definition of politically-exposed persons for KYC purposes.

10. Economic Growth: Projected growth rate for FY 2023-24 is 7.3%, focusing on key sectors like construction, mining, financial services, and real estate.

11. PRITHvi Scheme:  Union Cabinet approved the "PRITHVI" scheme for Earth system observations and modeling, including sub-schemes.

12. ISRO-MRIC MoU: ISRO and MRIC signed an MoU for joint satellite development.

13. Space Developments:  ISRO tested a fuel cell power system, while various space missions for 2024 were announced.

14. Biodiversity Credits: CoP15 introduced biodiversity credits for conservation, restoration, and sustainable use.

15. Sports Recognition: Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports announced Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puruskar recipients for 2023.

16. Slums in India:  Insights into the prevalence of slums and their infrastructure challenges in Indian towns.

17. GI Tag for Red Ant Chutney:  Mayurbhanj's red ant chutney received a geographical indication (GI) tag.

18. Biotech Park:  North India's first Biotech Industrial Park was highlighted in Kathua.

19. Cyclone Alvaro:  Impact and challenges faced by Madagascar due to the cyclone.

20. Clean Energy Initiative in Himachal Pradesh:  Steps taken by Himachal Pradesh towards clean and green energy by 2026, focusing on electric vehicles and solar power.

1.     New Plant Species : A new plant called “Polygonum Chaturbhujanum” was found in the Pench Tiger Reserve in Maharashtra, India.

2.     India-Nepal Electricity Agreement : India and Nepal agreed to export 10,000 MW of electricity.

3.     REC Limited and Bank of Baroda Collaboration : REC Limited and Bank of Baroda joined hands to finance power, infrastructure, and logistics projects.

4.     Sri Lanka’s Decision on Research Ships : Sri Lanka stopped foreign research ships from entering its waters for a year, possibly due to Indian concerns about Chinese research vessels in the region.

5.     Ayodhya Airport Renaming : The Ayodhya Airport is now known as “Maharishi Valmiki International Airport” to honor its cultural significance. It’s expected to boost tourism and pilgrimage.

6.     Assam’s ‘Gunotsav 2024’ : Assam plans to assess around 40 lakh students in government schools to improve education quality from January 3 to February 8.

7.     India’s ‘Bharat Park’ in UAE : India aims to set up ‘Bharat Park’ in the UAE to showcase Indian goods globally and emphasizes the importance of Man Made Fibre Textiles.

8.     India’s Economic Growth : India’s GDP is projected to grow at 7.3% in FY24, with the  construction sector expected to lead with a 10.7% growth.

9.     India’s Forex Reserves Increase : India’s foreign exchange reserves rose to $623.2 billion, a substantial increase reported by the Reserve Bank of India.

10. National Birds Day and World Day of War Orphans : The United States observes January 5 as National Birds Day, while January 6 is dedicated to the World Day of War Orphans.

11. Recent Summits and Conferences : Amit Shah inaugurated a security-related conference; Piyush Goyal unveiled the logo for a mobility expo.

12. UN Report on India’s GDP Growth Forecast : The UN projects India’s GDP to grow by 6.2% in 2024, emphasizing its strong domestic demand and growing sectors.

13. Agreements Regarding Railways’ Emission Goals : India signed agreements with USAID and CII to support Indian Railways in achieving net-zero carbon emissions.

14. Appointments in Various Organizations : Several notable appointments were made in organizations like NIIFL, ADB, IOA, SEBI, and Maharashtra’s police department.

15. Science & Technology Milestones : ISRO successfully tested a fuel cell in space, Google Deep Mind introduced a new robotic system, and IIT Madras engineered plant cells to produce a cancer drug.

Leadership Changes and Appointments:

·       Shashi Singh became the new President of the All India Rubber Industries Association (AIRIA).

·       Several prominent figures, including former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Jaya Bachchan, among others, are set to retire from the Rajya Sabha, leading to a shift in the political landscape.

 State-specific Initiatives and Achievements:

·       West Bengal declared Poila Baisakh, the Bengali New Year, as the State day.

·       Punjab mapped all accident-prone sites, becoming the first Indian state to do so.

Defence and Economic Development:

·       Deals worth Rs 802 crore were finalized by the Ministry of Defence to boost indigenous defence production.

·       Record foreign portfolio investments in Indian equities drove the markets to all-time highs in December.

Business Ventures and Initiatives:

·       Adidas announced its plans to set up its first Asia GCC outside China in Tamil Nadu.

·       The Ministry of Education launched the PRERANA program for experiential learning.

 

Agreements and Collaborations:

·       An agreement between India and Nepal for the export of 10,000 MW    of power was signed.

·       REC Ltd entered into an MoU with Rail Vikas Nigam Ltd for infrastructure projects.

Appointments and Recognitions:

·       Various appointments were made, including Shashi Singh as President of AIRIA and P Santhosh as MD of NARCL.

·       Bengali writer Shirshendu Mukhopadhyay received the 2023 Kuvempu Rashtriya Puraskar for literary contributions.

Awards and Achievements:

·       Hero MotoCorp’s facility won the CII National Award for Water Management.

·       Professor Adrian Cruise received the ‘Order of the British Empire’ for leadership in space science.

Archaeological Discovery:

·       A 10th-century Kadamba inscription in Kannada and Sanskrit was found in Goa, shedding light on historical events during that period.

1.     Income Support Programmes:  The Indian National Congress proposed the NYAY scheme, offering Rs 72,000 annually to eligible families, different from UBI due to limited scope and subsidies, unlike the universal UBI concept.

2.     India’s Palm Oil Imports:  India imports palm oil extensively for various uses, focusing on increasing domestic oil palm cultivation to reduce reliance on imports through the National Mission on Edible Oils.

3.     Antimicrobial Resistance: Recognized as a global health threat, antimicrobial resistance arises from overuse of antibiotics and poor sanitation, necessitating global action plans, surveillance systems, and research efforts to combat its impact.

4.     India-Australia ECTA:  The Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement between India and Australia aims to boost bilateral trade, offering preferential access to each other’s markets, with expectations of increased exports and job creation.

5.     Cyber Crimes in India:  Cybercrimes in India, including hacking, phishing, and fraud, are on the rise, with significant incidents originating from outside the country. Government initiatives aim to prevent and address cybercrimes through various agencies and reporting mechanisms

6.     Denmark’s Queen Margrethe II: The queen of Denmark said she’ll stop being queen after 52 years. Her son will become the new king.

7.     Oman’s Hockeys World Cup:  Oman built a new stadium for a big hockey tournament before the Olympics.

8.     France’s Online Visas:  France made a new system for online visas for the Olympics, making it easier for athletes and journalists to apply.

9.     Fast Reactor Plant in Tamil Nadu: India made a special plant for nuclear power to make energy and reuse nuclear fuel.

10. ICJS in Uttar Pradesh:  A system in Uttar Pradesh helps police, jails, and courts share information better.

11. Projects in Lakshadweep:  India made big projects in Lakshadweep, like faster internet and a better undersea cable.

12. Investments in Gujarat:  Companies are planning to invest a lot of money in Gujarat for things like energy and oil.

13. New Commander for Western Naval Command:  A new leader took over a big naval command in India.

14. India’s Economic Growth: Experts think India’s economy might grow more than they first thought.

15. Manufacturing Slowdown in December:  Even though factories grew slower in December, they’re still doing okay.

16. Asia Pacific Economic Growth:  Experts say countries in Asia will grow a lot this year.

17. PNB Housing Finance Ratings Upgrade:  A company in India got better ratings for its loans.

18. Vodafone Idea Director’s Move to Air India:  A director at Vodafone Idea is moving to Air India.

19. Reliance Industries’ Certification:  Reliance Industries became the first in India to make a special type of recycled plastic.

20. SBI’s Financing for Environmental Projects:  SBI got a lot of money to help the environment.

21. World Braille Day:  January 4 is a day to remember Louis Braille and help people with sight problems.

22. Czech PM at Vibrant Gujarat Summit:  The Czech Prime Minister is the main guest at a big event in Gujarat.

23. New President of European Investment Bank:  Nadia Calvino is the new boss at a bank in Europe.

24. Puneet Chhatwal Leading FAITH:  A leader in the hotel industry will now lead an association in tourism and hospitality.

25. New Spokesperson at MEA:  There’s a new person talking for India’s Ministry of External Affairs.

26. Adani Ports Changes Leadership:  Some important people changed roles at Adani Ports.

27. Justice Sanjiv Khanna’s New Role:  A judge is now in charge of legal help for people who need it.

28. Prof B R Kamboj Gets Award:  A professor got an award for helping farmers.

29. Book on Ram Mandir Released:  A book about the Ram Mandir was launched by the Kerala Governor.

30. Special Book for PM Modi:  The Prime Minister got a special book about a famous temple.

31. Beatrice Chebet’s World Record: A runner from Kenya broke a world record for a 5 km race.

32. ISRO’s Satellite Launch:  India’s space agency is sending a big satellite into space with SpaceX.

1.     BRICS Chairmanship by Putin : Putin started Russia’s 2024 BRICS Chairmanship, emphasizing multilateral development efforts among Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa.

2.     Pakistan IMF Tranche : Pakistan is set to receive a $700 million bailout tranche from the IMF in January, aimed at supporting its struggling economy.

3.     India Developments : India witnessed significant events such as the appointment of a new Secretary for the Commission, reduction in the age limit for old-age  pensions in Jharkhand, and a surge in UPI transactions.

4.     Nationwide Strike and Regional Initiatives: A nationwide strike by truckers and operators, while various states like Uttar Pradesh and Assam inaugurated innovative projects like a floating restaurant and eco-friendly transportation solutions.

5.     Economic Indicators : India Inc.’s investment saw a decline in the first nine months of FY24, while household financial savings decreased, and liability increased, according to      RBI’s Financial Stability Report.

6.     Business Developments : Flipkart’s co-founder launched a new startup, Ola Electric secured government incentives, and TCS launched a simplified system for importing medical devices in India.

7.     Appointments and International News : Key appointments in various Indian companies and the appointment of Chad’s transitional Prime Minister Succes Masra. Additionally, international collaborations between France, Germany, and India for urban infrastructure were highlighted.

8.     Miscellaneous News : Professor Ved Prakash Nanda’s passing, Francoise Bettencourt           Meyers’ historic fortune, Jammu and Kashmir’s implementation  of the PM Vishwakarma Yojana, and airport punctuality rankings in Hyderabad and Bengaluru.

9.     Special Days and Schemes : International Mind-Body Wellness Day observed  on January 3, and Rajasthan’s effort to integrate its Chiranjeevi scheme with Ayushman Bharat were mentioned.

1.     Military Training in Rajasthan: Indian and UAE armies started joint training in Rajasthan to improve their skills in desert areas.

2.     Appointments: Vivek Srivastava became the Director General of Fire Services, Civil Defense, and Home Guards.

3.     Automotive Boost:  The Union Cabinet approved a scheme to boost the manufacturing of           advanced automotive technology products.

4.     New Discoveries: A new lizard species called calotes wangi was found in China. China also launched the world’s deepest lab and a rocket using methane.

5.     Political Updates:  Felix Tshisekedi became the President of the Democratic Republic of           Congo. BRICS is set to expand with new member countries.

6.     Cultural and Record Events: Surat hosted an event to showcase products by persons with disabilities. Gujarat set a Guinness World Record for the largest simultaneous Surya Namaskar performance.

7.     Defense and Economy News:  India-UAE joint military exercises started. DRDO celebrated its 66th Foundation Day. There was significant growth in GST collections and UPI transactions.

8.     Banking and Financial Updates:  Electoral bonds are set for release, Mudra loans show           record growth, and the RBI increased the bulk deposit limit for certain banks.

9.     Important Days: Global Family Day was celebrated on January 1.

10. Agreements and Appointments:  ITC partnered with Microsoft and Skymet, while Vivek  Srivastava and Rashmi Govil received key appointments. Arvind Panagariya became the head of the Sixteenth Finance Commission.

11. Defense and Sports Highlights:  China appointed a new defense minister. Australian           cricketer David Warner retired from ODI cricket, and Indian players excelled in chess           and squash events.

12. Science and Technology:  ISRO launched XPoSat, India’s first X-ray polarimeter     satellite, to study X-ray sources in space.

1.     Sagar Parikrama: An event held from January 1–6, 2024.

2.     Finance Commission:  The appointment of Arvind Panagariya as the Chairman of the Sixteenth Finance Commission, its functions, composition, and challenges faced.

3.     Wages under MGNREGS:  Implementation of an Aadhaar-based payment system for wages under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme.

4.     Anti-dumping duty:  Imposition of anti-dumping duties on imports of wheel loaders and           gypsum boards from China and Oman.

5.     Cyclone 1:  An exercise between India and Egypt.

6.     Inter-Operable Criminal Justice System: Uttar Pradesh’s ranking for its use of the ICJS.

7.     XPoSat:  The launch of India’s X-ray Polarimeter Satellite on January 1, 2024.

8.     Regulation of OTT Platforms: The introduction of the Draft Broadcasting Services (Regulation) Bill, 2023 to expand regulatory oversight to include OTT platforms and digital content.

9.     National Investigation Agency (NIA):  Achieving a 94.70% conviction rate in 2023.

10. Aromatic Crops and Floriculture:  The successful introduction of aromatic plants in Odisha’s tribal communities.

11. E-SCR portal:  A project providing digital versions of Supreme Court judgments.

12. XPoSat (X-ray Polarimeter Satellite) mission:  India’s mission to study astronomical X-ray sources.

13. Sovereign Gold Bonds (SGBs):  Government securities as substitutes for holding physical gold.

14. Eurasian Otter:  Discovered in Kerala’s Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary.

15. Tehreek-e-Hurriyat under UAPA:  Declaration of Tehreek-e-Hurriyat as an ‘Unlawful Association’ under the UAPA Act for five years.

16. Exercise ‘Desert Cyclone 2024’:  A joint military exercise between India and UAE in Rajasthan to enhance interoperability.