Dear Readers, Here we have given the list of Important Weekly Current Affairs of Jan 08th to 14th Jan 2025. Candidates those who are preparing for Upcoming SBIClerk 2025 and other competitive exams can make use of it.

Weekly Current Affairs January 08th to 14th PDF Download

CURRENT AFFAIRS: IMPORTANT DAYS

• World Hindi Day 2025 is observed on the 10th of January 2025.

• National Human Trafficking Awareness Day 2025 is observed on the 11th January 2025.

• National Youth Day 2025 is observed on the 12th January 2025.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: BANKING & FINANCE

• According to the World Gold Council (WGC), In November 2024, central banks globally added a total of 53 tonnes of gold to their reserves.The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) contributed 8 tonnes of this total.
• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) issued a Master Direction to consolidate various instructions for banks and financial institutions regarding the reporting of credit information of their customers.
• The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) has partnered with Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC) in Chennai to integrate RuPay on-the-go, a contactless payment solution for public transit.
• Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group (SMFG) infused ₹3,000 crore into SMFG India Credit Company via a rights issue.
• SBI Life Spell Bee Season in association with Mirchi, India's most prestigious spelling competition, concluded its 14th season with a thrilling Grand Finale in Kolkata.
• The Ministry of Finance's new tax rule, effective from January 1, 2025, allows buyers to avoid tax deduction on purchases made from sellers operating within International Financial Services Centres (IFSC).

• The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has imposed a ₹9 lakh penalty on Stockholding Services for violating regulatory norms.
• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) stated that in terms of Section 29, read with Section 56 of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949, co-operative banks are required to prepare a balance sheet and profit and loss account as on the last working day of the year in the Forms set out in the Third Schedule of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949.
• The banking system is facing liquidity tightness despite the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) reducing the Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) in two equal tranches of 25 basis points each last month..
• The International Financial Services Centre Authority (IFSCA) will soon issue regulations for KYC Registration Agencies (KRAs) in the International Financial Services Centre (IFSC).
• Capital markets regulator Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) announced the introduction of the Mutual Funds Lite (MF Lite) framework to ease the compliance process for companies launching passively managed mutual fund schemes.

• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has lifted the restrictions on Chennai-based Asirvad Micro Finance and Delhi-based DMI Finance, effective immediately.
• The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has updated the timelines for credit rating agencies (CRAs), shifting from "days" to "working days" to improve ease of doing business and standardize processes.
• Bajaj Broking, a subsidiary of Bajaj Finance Limited., has partnered with Tamilnad Mercantile Bank (TMB) to offer a 3-in-1 account solution.
• The Income Tax Department has set up a 24x7 Control Room to monitor the movement of unaccounted cash, bullion, and other valuables during the Delhi Legislative Assembly Elections, 2025.
• Shri M. Nagaraju, Secretary, Department of Financial Services (DFS), Ministry of Finance, chaired a meeting with major Micro Finance Institutions (MFIs) in New Delhi.
• According to the first advance estimates released by the National Statistics Office (NSO), Real gross domestic product (GDP) growth is estimated to have slowed sharply to 6.4% in the current financial year (FY25) from 8.2% expansion in FY24.
• Exim Bank of India raised $1 billion via a 10-year USD-denominated bond, marking a significant milestone in its international fundraising efforts.
• JPMorgan Chase, the largest U.S. bank by assets, has left the Net-Zero Banking Alliance (NZBA), the latest major bank to exit the climate-finance alliance.
• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has mandated that all lenders must update credit bureau records every 15 days, effective January 1, 2025.

• Punjab National Bank (PNB) has launched its first Cybersecurity Hackathon 2024-25, with the theme “Code Against Malware”.
• The microfinance portfolio stood at ₹4.1 lakh crore as of September 2024.This showed:
• At the start of FY24, unclaimed amounts with life insurers stood at nearly ₹22,237 crore.
• Indian Overseas Bank (IOB) is selling Rs 11,500 crore worth of non-performing assets (NPAs) to asset reconstruction companies (ARCs).

• As per Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) Chairperson Madhabi Puri Buch, total capital market fundraising in FY2025 is expected to rise by 21% to ₹14.7 lakh crore from ₹11.8 lakh crore in FY2024.
• As of January 9, 2025, the banking system is facing a liquidity deficit of approximately ₹2 lakh crore.
• The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has proposed raising the investment threshold for granular disclosures by foreign portfolio investors (FPIs).The current threshold of Rs 25,000 crore will be increased to Rs 50,000 crore for FPIs to provide detailed disclosures of their holdings.
• Foreign banks and wealth managers are divided on whether the RBI will start easing its monetary policy in February.
• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) announced the names of the winners of the third edition of its Global Hackathon with the themes 'Zero Financial Frauds' and 'Being Divyang.
• State Bank of India (SBI) chairman C S Setty has suggested creating a common mechanism to track the utilization of funds raised by Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) through debt and equity.
• KredX, a supply chain finance platform, has announced that it has received final approval from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to commercially launch its Trade Receivables Discounting System (TReDS) platform under the brand name DTX (Domestic Trade Exchange).
• PhonePe has introduced a unique insurance coverage specifically for travelers attending the Maha Kumbh Mela, which will take place in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh from January 13 to February 26, 2025.
• Equitas Small Finance Bank has revised interest rates for savings accounts, effective from January 10, 2025.
• The Reserve Bank Innovation Hub and IIMA Ventures launched Swanari TechSprint 3.0, a programme aimed at fostering women-centric fintech startups in India.

• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) issued the Master Direction on Non-resident Investment in Debt Instruments, 2025, to regulate foreign investments in Indian debt instruments.The regulations are based on the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA), 1999, and provide guidelines for investments by Foreign Portfolio Investors (FPIs), Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), and Overseas Citizens of India (OCIs).
• The Insurance (Amendment) Bill aims to allow 100% foreign direct investment (FDI) in the insurance sector, following the Insurance Act's amendment in 2021, which raised the FDI limit from 49% to 74%.
• Business correspondents (BCs) have requested the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to relax restrictions on monthly and daily transfer limits, citing operational challenges and misuse of domestic remittance channels.
• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) may change its approach to currency intervention, allowing the rupee to depreciate in line with its emerging market peers to maintain export competitiveness and avoid adverse impacts on domestic liquidity due to US dollar sales.
• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) now mandates that banks must offer a fixed interest rate product in all equated installment-based personal loan categories.
• Bank of Baroda (BoB) has announced setting up AI-driven customer support, full-fledged branches with forex transaction facilities in Prayagraj to facilitate the visitors.
• Suryoday Small Finance Bank (SSFB) announced its partnership with Tata Digital to extend its FD offerings.
• Bank of Baroda (BoB) has partnered with Truworth Wellness to extend an enhanced wellness program for its 75,000+ employees and their families.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: NATIONAL NEWS

• Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of various railway projects, via video conferencing.
• The 15th edition of Aero India, Asia's largest aerospace and defence exhibition, will take place from February 10 to 14, 2025, at the Air Force Station, Yelahanka, Bengaluru, Karnataka. With the theme “The Runway to a Billion Opportunities”.
• Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Amit Shah, is set to launch the BHARATPOL portal, developed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
• The Directorate of Cashew Research (DCR) in Puttur, Dakshina Kannada, has recently launched a Drone Technology Lab and a Centre of Excellence for Profiling and Bioactive Components.
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit Andhra Pradesh, marking his first trip since the TDP-led NDA government took office in the state.
• Union Minister of Labour & Employment and Youth Affairs & Sports, Mansukh Mandaviya, launched the multilingual functionality of the e-Shram portal a ‘One-Stop-Solution’, will now support 22 Scheduled Languages, broadening its accessibility across India.
• The 18th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) commenced on january 8^th, in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, with around 6,000 non-resident Indians (NRIs)
• At the beginning of FY24, Rs 22,237 crore lay unclaimed with life insurers, as reported by the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (Irdai).
• The Indian government is set to begin lithium exploration in two additional blocks within the federally administered region of Jammu and Kashmir, according to officials familiar with the development.
• Prime MinisterShri Narendra Modi flagged off the Pravasi Bharatiya Express, a state-of-the-art tourist train designed under the Pravasi Teerth Darshan Yojana (PTDY).
• As India marches towards its centenary of Independence in 2047, the nation is investing in its youth as the architects of a Viksit Bharat (Developed India).
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone for a Green Hydrogen Hub project at Pudimadaka near Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, marking a major milestone under the National Green Hydrogen Mission.
• India has completed the GenomeIndia Project, a groundbreaking initiative that sequenced the genomes of 10,000 Indians from 83 population groups, representing about 2% of the country's 4,600 population groups.
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to inaugurate the Rs 2,400 crore Z-Morh Tunnel. This 6.5 km tunnel on the Srinagar-Leh National Highway is a key infrastructure project that will ensure year-round accessibility to the Ladakh region.
• Nirmala Lakshman, Chairperson of The Hindu Group Publishing Private Limited, released a new book titled "Thiruvallikeni – Divine Abode of Lord Parthasarathy" as part of The Hindu Group’s Shrine Series.
• Union Minister of Commerce & Industry Shri Piyush Goyal unveiled the Bharat Cleantech Manufacturing Platform at the Bharat Climate Forum 2025 in New Delhi.
• Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Odisha reported increasing women voter turnout ratios in 2024, primarily due to implementing women-centric schemes.
• Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw unveiled the upcoming Amrit Bharat Version 2.0 trains, which will focus on upgraded passenger amenities.
• India will take part in a session on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) at the World Economic Forum's (WEF) 55th annual meeting, scheduled from January 20-24, 2025, in Davos-Klosters, Switzerland.
• The India Meteorological Department (IMD) is celebrating its 150th anniversary as the principal government agency for meteorology and related subjects.

• Indian Railways is intensifying its efforts to enhance freight movement, focusing on coal logistics, the largest revenue contributor.
• India has unveiled an ambitious plan to power its coastal and inland waterways shipping fleet with renewable energy, starting with 1,000 vessels over the next five years.
• Coal India Ltd (CIL), the state-owned Maharatna company, is making strides in its strategic diversification into critical minerals, with a key focus on lithium brine assets in Argentina.
• At the Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inspired the nation's youth to take ownership of the vision for a "Viksit Bharat" (Developed India).
• The much-anticipated Bima Sugam, a transformative project spearheaded by the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) to create a one-stop digital platform for insurance, is now expected to launch mid-year 2025,
• The government is poised to save over Rs 70,000 crore in capital and revenue expenditure that was allocated for new schemes in the FY25 Budget, which are yet to be implemented.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: INTERNATIONAL NEWS

• In December, 2024 United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) added Sevdalinka (also known as Sevdah) to its list of intangible world cultural heritage.

• The UAE launched a campaign in Gaza under Operation Chivalrous Knight 3 to support education in the region.

• India has been officially inducted into the UN Committee of Experts on Big Data and Data Science for Official Statistics(UN-CEBD).
• The India-Nepal Inter-Governmental Committee (IGC) meeting was held on January 10-11, 2025, in Kathmandu, Nepal.
• India will host the 28th Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of Parliaments of Commonwealth Countries (CSPOC) in 2026, as announced by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla during the CSPOC Standing Committee Meeting in Guernsey.
• External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar will represent India at the swearing-in ceremony of Donald J. Trump as the 47th President of the United States of America, as announced by New Delhi.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: STATE NEWS

• Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren transferred ₹1,415.44 crore to 56.61 lakh women under the Maiya Samman Yojana on January 6, 2024.

• Uttar Pradesh (UP) has become the first state in India to abolish its longstanding tendering system.

• Haryana is set to become the first state to implement the new criminal laws in their entirety, following Chandigarh, the first union territory to do so.
• The Flamingo Festival will be held after a gap of five years in Tirupati district, Andhra Pradesh, from January 18 to 20, 2025.

• The Gangasagar Mela, held annually at the confluence of the Ganga with the Bay of Bengal in West Bengal during the Makar Sankranti festival, is a significant pilgrimage for millions.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: BUSINESS NEWS

• India’s services sector ended 2024 on a high note, with the HSBC India Services Business Activity Index (Services PMI) rising to 59.3 in December, marking the strongest rate of expansion in four months.
• Union Minister of Steel and Heavy Industries, Shri H.D. Kumaraswamy, launched the second round of the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for Specialty Steel, also known as PLI Scheme 1.1, at Vigyan Bhavan in New Delhi.
• Edelweiss Financial Services announced the public issue of Secured Redeemable Non-Convertible Debentures (NCDs) of the face value of Rs 1,000 each for an amount up to Rs 100 crore (Base Issue Size), with a green shoe option of up to Rs 100 crore, cumulatively aggregating up to Rs 200 crore (Issue Limit).

• India Infrastructure Finance Company Ltd (IIFCL) will raise $200 million through External Commercial Borrowing (ECB) this month, confirmed Managing Director P. R. Jaishankar.

• Satya Nadella, Chairman and CEO of Microsoft, revealed the company’s plan to invest US $3 billion in India over the next two years.
• State-owned miner NMDC (National Mineral Development Corporation)has announced a price reduction of ₹350 per tonne for both lump and fine iron ore, effective January 9, 2025.
• The Indian government is set to provide a ₹35,000 crore subsidy to state-owned fuel retailers—Indian Oil Corporation Ltd (IOC), Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd (BPCL), and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd (HPCL)—to offset losses incurred due to regulated pricing of domestic LPG.
• The Indian economy is expected to grow by 6.6% in 2025, driven by strong private consumption and investment, according to the UN World Economic Situation and Prospects 2025 report.
• In a significant move to boost local manufacturing, Syrma SGS Technology Limited will begin assembling MSI laptops in India, catering to the Indian market.
• Ariqt, a Netherlands-based AI-driven technology company, has launched its Global Innovation Hub (GIH) in Hyderabad, marking its entry into the Indian market.

• The rates for Commercial Paper (CP) and Certificates of Deposit (CD) have seen significant increases in January 2025, reflecting the tightening liquidity in the financial system.
• In 2024, JNPA achieved a record-breaking 7.05 million TEU handling, the highest in the port's history, indicating robust growth.Vadhvan Port is expected to emerge as one of the top 10 container-handling ports globally, further strengthening India's maritime infrastructure.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: AWARDS AND HONOURS

• The 82nd Annual Golden Globe Awards showcased a stellar night for a mix of newcomers and familiar faces, with "The Brutalist" and "Emilia Perez" taking top movie honours.
• The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has announced 323 feature films eligible for the Oscars 2025. The Seven Indian films have cut the 207 contenders for Best Picture, marking a significant moment for Indian cinema on the global stage.
• Krishna Ella, Co-founder and Executive Chairman of Bharat Biotech International, has been awarded the prestigious India Fellowship of the Indian National Science Academy (INSA) for 2025.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: MOUS AND AGREEMENT

• The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), under the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with JK Cement, a leading cement manufacturer, to foster innovation, empower entrepreneurs, and strengthen India’s manufacturing ecosystem.
• India and the European Union (EU) reinforced their shared commitment to safeguarding human rights, democracy, and the rule of law during the India-EU Human Rights Dialogue held in New Delhi.
• India and the Maldives reaffirmed their commitment to enhance bilateral ties into a comprehensive economic and maritime security partnership during talks between India’s Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and his Maldivian counterpart Mohammed Ghassan Maumoon in New Delhi.

• The Directorate of Horticulture, Odisha, in partnership with Palladium Consulting India Pvt Ltd, signed 11 MoUs with private sector exporters during Krushi Odisha 2025.
• Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Ltd (MRPL) has partnered with Indian Strategic Petroleum Reserves Ltd (ISPRL) to utilize ISPRL’s cavern storage infrastructure.

• The Assam government entered into an agreement with the State Bank of India (SBI) and Union Bank of India (UBI) on January 1, 2025.

• Salam Kisan, a leading agritech platform, has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Ropar to foster agritech innovation through advanced technologies.
• The Financial Intelligence Unit-India (FIU-IND) and the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), aimed at strengthening their collaborative efforts to implement anti-money laundering (AML) and combating the financing of terrorism (CFT) measures.
• Infosys has announced its collaboration with the Andhra Pradesh Skill Development Corporation (APSDC) to implement an ambitious skill census program aimed at enhancing employment opportunities in the state.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: RANKING AND INDEX

• Hanoi, Vietnam's capital, has recently been identified as the world’s most polluted city, with 5 levels reaching an alarming 266 micrograms per cubic meter.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS

• Pope Francis has appointed Sister Simona Brambilla as the first woman to head a major Vatican department, the Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life.
• Lisa McGeough has been appointed as the President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of HSBC's U.S. operations, effective from January 1, 2025.
• Justice Mayank Kumar Jain, a former judge of the Allahabad High Court, has been appointed as a judicial member of the Securities Appellate Tribunal (SAT) by the Ministry of Finance (MoF).
• Emrah Ozer has been appointed as the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of Mercedes-Benz India, effective from January 1, 2025.
• Abhishek Bachchan, Bollywood actor, entrepreneur, and sports enthusiast, will join the European T20 Premier League (ETPL) as a co-owner.

• Baldev Prakash has been appointed as the Deputy Managing Director and Group Chief Risk Officer at State Bank of India (SBI).
• V Narayanan has been appointed as the new Space Secretary and Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), effective from January 14, 2024.Narayanan succeeds S Somanath as Chairman of ISRO.

• The Union Ministry of Corporate Affairs has appointed 24 members to the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) to strengthen its capacity to handle corporate disputes and insolvency cases.The new appointments include 11 Judicial Members and 13 Technical Members.
• Brijendra Pratap Singh has been appointed as the Chairman-cum-Managing Director (CMD) of National Aluminium Company (NALCO).
• Arunish Chawla, a 1992-batch Bihar cadre IAS officer, has been shifted to the Department of Investment and Public Asset Management (DIPAM) as Secretary, effective within two weeks of his appointment as Revenue Secretary.
• Samunnati, an agri value chain enabler, has made a strategic leadership realignment to focus on empowering smallholder farmers and driving growth in the agri-ecosystem.
• The Finance Ministry appointed two new members to the governing council of the National Investment and Infrastructure Fund Trustee Limited (NIIFTL):CS Setty: Chairman of SBI, replacing Dinesh Khara and Uday Kotak: Director of Kotak Mahindra Bank, replacing T.V. Mohandas Pai.
• Rajeev Mehta was elected as the Secretary-General of the Fencing Confederation of Asia (FCA) during the General Assembly of the organization.
• Bahadur Singh Sagoo, an Asian gold medalist and Padma Shri awardee, was elected as the new president of the Athletics Federation of India (AFI).

• Retired Supreme Court Justice B.N. Srikrishna has been appointed to chair the Advisory Board of Equal, an ID verification and data-sharing platform.
• Lebanon's parliament is making another attempt to elect a president, aiming to fill a presidential vacancy that has lasted over two years since Michel Aoun's term ended in October 2022.

• For the first time, the appointment of the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) will move beyond the traditional seniority-based approach.Nicolás Maduro was sworn in for a third presidential term in Venezuela, following disputed presidential elections held in July 2024.
• Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar has been appointed as the brand ambassador for POCO India.
• Devajit Saikia, a former cricketer from Assam, has been appointed as the new Secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), succeeding Jay Shah.

CURRENT AFFAIRS:  ACQUISITIONS & MERGERS

• Suzuki Motor Corporation has decided to acquire a 26% stake in NDDB Mirda Limited, a bio-gas venture of National Dairy Development Board (NDDB), as part of its plans to use Compressed Bio-Gas (CBG) for longevity and performance of vehicles. The remaining 74% will remain with NDDB.
• Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Idea sold their entire stake in Firefly Networks, a Wi-Fi infrastructure company, to iBus Network and Infrastructure for Rs 9 crore.

• The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has approved a proposed combination involving interconnected steps resulting in the acquisition of up to 68.9% shareholding in Roop Automotives Limited (RAL) by CA Carob Investments (Investor).
• The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has approved the acquisition of 21 Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) that own renewable power generation plants, as well as the holding companies of certain SPVs, by Gentari Renewables India Private. Limited.
• The Competition Commission of India (CCI) approved the acquisition of a certain shareholding in Pegatron Technology India Private. Limited. (Pegatron India) by Tata Electronics Private. Limited. (TEPL) and the transfer of TEL Components Private. Limited. 's (TEL) business to Pegatron India.

• The Steel Ministry of India has proposed the merger of NMDC (National Mineral Development Corporation) with Kudremukh Iron Ore Company Limited (KIOCL).

CURRENT AFFAIRS: DEFENCE NEWS

• Two Fast Patrol Vessels (FPVs) - Amulya and Akshay - indigenously designed and constructed by the Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL) for the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) were launched in the presence of Secretary (Defence Production) Shri Sanjeev Kumar in Goa on January 05, 2025.

• India and the United States (US), announced a partnership to co-produce U.S. sonobuoys for Undersea Domain Awareness (UDA), a technology crucial for tracking submarines in deep seas and oceans.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

• The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) has partnered with Stride Ventures, a venture debt firm, to support high-growth potential startups in fulfilling their funding needs.

• The Space Docking Experiment (SpaDeX) marked the first industry-developed satellites for space docking, built under the guidance of Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) engineers.

• Pixxel, a Bengaluru-based space technology startup, has signed an Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with SIIS Co to supply hyperspectral satellite data in Korea.
• Iran launched a domestically designed and manufactured space tug, developed by Iranian experts and technicians.

• Satya Nadella, Chairman and CEO of Microsoft, announced cloud and AI-led strategic partnerships with the Indian government and industry leaders across key sectors of the Indian economy.

• The Indian Council of Agricultural Research - National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources (ICAR-NBAGR) has recognized the Gaddi dog, an indigenous breed from the Himalayas.
• In a groundbreaking achievement, India’s indigenous surgical robotic system, SSI Mantra, successfully conducted two robotic cardiac surgeries via telesurgery over a distance of 286 kilometers.

• The Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Government of India, conducted the fifth webinar in its Biofoundry and Bio manufacturing Initiative series on January 13, 2025.

• The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) will launch a communication satellite for US-based firm AST SpaceMobile in March 2025.The commercial LVM3-M5 mission will deploy BlueBird Block-2 satellites under a contract with AST SpaceMobile.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: SPORTS NEWS

• World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka defeated Russian qualifier Polina Kudermetova in a hard-fought final, securing victory with a score of 4-6, 6-3, 6-2.
• The International Cricket Council (ICC), in collaboration with the cricket boards of India (BCCI), England (ECB), and Australia (CA), is evaluating the introduction of a two-tier Test cricket system.

• The Kho Kho Federation of India (KKFI) has unveiled the official trophies for the first-ever Kho Kho World Cup, set to take place.
• Former Pakistan cricketerYounis Khan has been named the mentor for the Afghanistan men's cricket team for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025, scheduled to take place in Pakistan.
• Martin Guptill, one of New Zealand's most accomplished cricketers, has officially retired from international cricket.
• Hockey India announced a significant increase in prize money for the ongoing Hockey India League (HIL), marking a new milestone for the tournament.
• Pratik Waikar, a 32-year-old kho kho player from Pune, is set to captain the Indian men's team in the first-ever Kho Kho World Cup, marking a significant milestone in his journey with this indigenous sport.
• Legendary athlete Mo Farah, a multiple Olympic and World Champion, has been announced as the International Event Ambassador for the 20th edition of the Tata Mumbai Marathon, set to take place on January 19, 2025.
• England Hockey announced a significant policy change, outlining that transgender women will not be allowed to compete in the female category starting next season.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: OBITUARIES

• Amit Banerji, co-founder of managed workspace operator ‘Table Space’, passed away at the age of 44.

• Senior sports journalist T.R. Ranganathan of The Hindu passed away at the age of 91.

• Indian poet, journalist, film producer and former parliamentarian Pritish Nandy has passed away at the age of 73.Nandy hosted the DD (Doordarshan) show The Pritish Nandy Show.

• Renowned playback singer P Jayachandran, affectionately called 'Bhava Gayakan' passed away at the age of 81. He was born on March 3, 1944, in Ernakulam, Kerala.