19th & 20th January 2025 Current Affairs

19th & 20th January 2025 Current Affairs

DAILY-CURRENT-AFFAIRS-BY-EDUSPRINT

We at Edusprint Academy are committed to bringing you the most relevant and updated 19th & 20th January 2025 current affairs curated from trusted and official sources. These updates are designed to keep you ahead in your exam preparation journey.

Our comprehensive Current Affairs of 19th & 20th January 2025 coverage aims to enhance your knowledge and boost your scores in Banking, Insurance, SSC, Railways, UPSC, and all State Government Exams. Explore our Current Affairs tailored to simplify your exam preparation.

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National news

DPIIT Partners with ITC to Strengthen India’s Startup Ecosystem

In January 2025, the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), under the Ministry of Commerce & Industry (MoC&I), established a strategic partnership with ITC Limited, a Kolkata-based conglomerate. The collaboration aims to enhance technological progress and create new market opportunities for startups across India.

Key Highlights

Partnership Goals:

Leverage ITC’s market network and DPIIT’s support initiatives to bolster India’s startup ecosystem.

Focus on fostering innovation and creating opportunities in key sectors like renewable energy, digital platforms, and manufacturing excellence.

ITC’s Focus Areas:

  • Energy Storage Systems: Implementing advanced storage solutions to optimize energy usage.
  • Renewable Energy Integration: Utilizing renewable energy sources for ITC’s manufacturing locations to promote sustainability.
  • Digital Platforms for MES: Enhancing Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES) through digital tools to improve operational excellence.

Sustainability and Innovation:

  • The collaboration emphasizes digital innovation to improve manufacturing readiness and operational efficiency.
  • ITC will also focus on renewable energy initiatives to align with its sustainability goals.
PFC Signs Loan Agreement with JBIC for Renewable Energy Projects

In January 2025, New Delhi (Delhi) based Power Finance Corporation Limited (PFC) under the Ministry of Power (MOP) signed an agreement with Tokyo (Japan) based Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) for 120 billion Japanese Yen (JPY) or Rs.6600 crore loan to support Renewable Energy(RE) projects in India.

Under the agreement, JBIC will contribute JPY 72 billion (Rs 40.04 billion), while the remaining amount will be provided by commercial banks.

Key Highlights

Agreement Details:

Parties Involved:

  • Power Finance Corporation Limited (PFC), India.
  • Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC), Japan.

Loan Amount:

  • Total: 120 billion Japanese Yen (JPY) or Rs 6,600 crore.
  • JBIC Contribution: JPY 72 billion (Rs 4,004 crore).
  • Remaining funds will be provided by commercial banks.

Objective: To support renewable energy (RE) projects in India, aligning with the country’s net-zero carbon emissions target and transition to clean energy sources.

Loan Tenure: Up to 20 years under JBIC’s ‘Global Action for Reconciling Economic Growth and Environmental Preservation’ (GREEN) initiative.

Represents JBIC’s largest green financing deal with an Indian company.

Key Uses of Funds:

  • Development of renewable energy projects in India.
  • Investment in next-generation energy supply systems.
  • Enhancing energy-efficient power generation and heat supply infrastructure.
  • Contributing to India’s goal of achieving 50% cumulative electric power generation from non-fossil-fuel sources by 2030.

Recent Collaboration: In August 2024, PFC received a 25.5 billion yen (approximately Rs. 147 crore) loan from JBIC to fund a wind energy project in Karnataka.

Key People:

  • Parminder Chopra, Chairman and Managing Director (CMD), PFC.
  • Ogawa Kazunori, Senior Managing Director (MD), JBIC.

About Power Finance Corporation (PFC):

  • Type: Maharatna Public Sector Company.
  • Sector: One of India’s leading Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFC) under the Ministry of Power (MOP).
  • Chairman & Managing Director (CMD): Parminder Chopra.
  • Headquarters: New Delhi, India.

Conclusion

This landmark agreement between PFC and JBIC underscores the importance of international cooperation in promoting renewable energy and environmental sustainability. By securing long-term funding under JBIC’s GREEN initiative, PFC continues to play a critical role in driving India’s transition to a clean energy future.

Agreement news

IREDA and Partners Sign JV Agreement for Nepal’s Upper Karnali Hydro-electric Project

On 17th January 2025, New Delhi (Delhi) based Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency Limited (IREDA) entered into a Joint Venture (JV) Agreement with Shimla, Himachal Pradesh(HP) based SJVN Limited (formerly known as Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam), GMR Energy Limited, and Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) for the development of the 900 megawatt (MW) Upper Karnali Hydro-electric Project over River Karnali, the largest hydro-electric power project in Nepal.

Key Highlights

Agreement Details:

Parties Involved:

  • Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency Limited (IREDA).
  • SJVN Limited (formerly Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam).
  • GMR Energy Limited.
  • Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA).

Purpose: Development of the 900 MW Upper Karnali Hydro-electric Project over the Karnali River, Nepal’s largest hydropower project.

Location: Signed in New Delhi on January 17, 2025.

Funding: Partly funded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

Project Overview:

  • Model: Build-Own-Operate-Transfer (BOOT).
  • Cost: Estimated at USD 1.5 billion.

Operation Timeline:

  • Project will operate for 25 years post-Commercial Operation Date (COD).
  • Expected to complete within 5 years of construction commencement.

Power Distribution:

  • Nepal will utilize 108 MW for domestic consumption.
  • The remaining 792 MW will be exported to India and Bangladesh.

Significance

Cross-Border Cooperation: The project exemplifies regional collaboration in renewable energy, fostering environmental and economic benefits.

Strategic Goals: Promotes renewable energy sources.

Enhances regional energy security by leveraging Nepal’s hydropower potential.

Investment Details:

  • IREDA will invest Rs 174.22 crore for a 5% stake.
  • SJVN will invest a similar amount to acquire a 10% joint stake in GMR Upper Karnali Hydro Power Ltd and Karnali Transmission Co Pvt Ltd.
  • Both projects are being executed by GMR Nepal in partnership with SJVN.

About Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency Limited (IREDA)

  • Chairman & Managing Director (CMD): Pradip Kumar Das.
  • Headquarters: New Delhi, Delhi.
  • Founded: 1987.

Role: A Maharatna company promoting renewable energy projects in India and abroad.

State news

Uttarakhand Partners with Iceland’s Verkis for Geothermal Energy Development

Uttarakhand Signs MoU with Iceland’s Verkis for Geothermal Energy Development The Government of Uttarakhand has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Icelandic company Verkis Consulting Engineers (Verkis) for geothermal exploration and development in Uttarakhand.

Memorandum of Understanding (MoU):

Parties Involved:

  • Government of Uttarakhand.
  • Verkis Consulting Engineers, Iceland.

Objective:

  • Evaluate and promote geothermal energy across identified sites in Uttarakhand.
  • Event: Signed in the virtual presence of CM Pushkar Singh Dhami and Icelandic Ambassador Dr. Benedict Hoskulsson.

Feasibility Studies: Funded by the Government of Iceland to assess the potential of geothermal energy projects.

Approvals: Received from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), and Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).

Geothermal Energy in Uttarakhand

  • Potential Hotspots: Geological Survey of India (GSI) and Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology (WIHG) have identified 40 geothermal hotspots in Uttarakhand.
  • Significance: Geothermal energy is a clean, renewable resource, ideal for Uttarakhand’s mountainous terrain and commitment to sustainable development.

International news

Singapore President Shanmugaratnam’s visit to India

President Tharman Shanmugaratnam of Singapore was on a five day official visit to India from 14-18 January 2025.This is the first official visit of President Tharman Shanmugaratnam to India. During his visit to India he visited New Delhi and Odisha.

During his visit to Odisha on 17 & 18 January 2025,eight memorandum of understanding (MoU ) were signed between Singapore and the state of Odisha.

60th anniversary of India Singapore diplomatic relation  The Singapore President’s visit to India coincided with the 60th year of the establishment of the diplomatic relation between the two countries.

Key Events and Meetings

Commemorating 60 Years of Diplomatic Relations:

India-Singapore Relations:

  • India was among the first nations to recognize Singapore’s independence in 1965.
  • A logo commemorating the 60th anniversary of bilateral ties was jointly unveiled by President Droupadi Murmu and President Tharman Shanmugaratnam at Rashtrapati Bhavan.

Meetings in New Delhi:

President Shanmugaratnam met with:

  • Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
  • External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar.
  • Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari.
  • Minister of Health and Family Welfare Jagat Prakash Nadda.
  • Minister of Finance Nirmala Sitharaman.

Visit to Odisha (January 17-18, 2025)

Cultural and Infrastructure Visits:

  • Visited the Sun Temple, Konark.
  • Toured the Bharat Biotech vaccine manufacturing center near Bhubaneswar.

Collaboration at the World Skill Centre:

  • The World Skill Centre in Bhubaneswar, established in collaboration with Singapore’s Institute of Technical Education and Education Services (ITEES), was a focal point of the visit.
  • The center is funded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and aims to enhance skill development in Odisha.

MoUs Signed: Eight Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) were signed between Singapore and Odisha to strengthen ties and foster collaboration.

About Singapore

  • President: Tharman Shanmugaratnam
  • Prime Minister: Lawrence Wong
  • Capital: Singapore
  • Currency: Singapore Dollar

India was one the first countries in the world to recognize Singapore in 1965.

Defence news

Indian Navy Participates in the 5th Edition of La Perouse 25 Multinational Naval Exercise

On January 16, 2025, the Indian Navy (IN), along with eight Indo-Pacific nations, is participating in the 5th edition of the La Perouse 25 multinational naval exercise.

  • The exercise is being conducted in the strategic maritime straits of Malacca, Sunda, and Lombok, which serve as crucial routes for global maritime trade between the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean.
  • This eight-day exercise, organized by the French Carrier Strike Group (CSG), began on January 16, 2025, and will continue until January 24, 2025.

Key Highlights

Exercise Overview:

  • Name: La Perouse 25
  • Duration: January 16–24, 2025 (8 days).
  • Location: Strategic maritime straits of Malacca, Sunda, and Lombok—critical routes for global trade between the Indian Ocean and Pacific Ocean.
  • Organizer: French Carrier Strike Group (CSG).

Objective: To prepare navies for real-world challenges by enhancing their collective response capabilities.

Participants: Naval forces from 9 nations: India, Australia, Canada, USA, France, Indonesia, Malaysia, UK, and Singapore.

Indian Navy Representation:

  • The Indian Naval Ship (INS) Mumbai, a guided-missile destroyer, participated in the exercise.
  • Other nations deployed advanced vessels for joint training.

Key Features of La Perouse 25

Use of IORIS System:

IORIS (Indian Ocean Regional Information Sharing):

  • A system designed for communication and coordination among participating navies.
  • Facilitates the exchange of information and documents for managing maritime crises.

All navies trained in the effective use of IORIS during the exercise.

Focus Areas:

  • Interoperability Training: Exercises in ship inspections to detect and prevent illicit activities.
  • Trade Route Protection: Emphasis on securing key maritime trade routes from accidents, illegal activities, and natural disasters.

Appointment news

Nripendra Mishra reappointed Chairperson of PM Museum & Library Society

The Government of India has reconstituted the Executive Council of the Prime Ministers Museum and Library Society and reappointed Nripendra Mishra as the Chairperson of the Executive Council of the Society.  The Executive Council is the highest decision-making body of the Prime Ministers Museum and Library Society.

  • The Prime Minister is the ex-officio President of the Prime Ministers Museum and Library Society and the Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is currently the Vice-Chairman.
  • The Prime Minister Museum and Library Society was set up by the government of India on 1st April 1966 to manage the Nehru Memorial Museum and Library which is now known as the Prime Minister Museum and Library.

Reconstituted Executive Council of the Society

  • According to the notification of the Union Ministry of Culture, the former Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister, Nripendra Mishra has been re-appointed as the Chairperson of the Executive Council for a term of 5 years.
  • Former Union Minister Smriti Irani, noted filmmaker Shekhar Kapur, former NITI Aayog Vice-chairman Rajiv Kumar, Sanjeev Sanyal, member of the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister, retired Army officer Syed Ata Hasnain, and Sanskar Bharati’s Vasudev Kamath have also been appointed to the Executive Council.

The term of the newly appointed member of the Executive Council will be five years.

About the  Prime Minister Museum and Library

  • The Prime Minister Museum and Library was earlier called the Nehru Memorial Museum and Library.
  • It is located in the historic Teen Murti Campus, New Delhi.
  • It was the residence of the Commander in Chief of India.
  • In August 1948 it became the official residence of the first Prime Minister of India Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru and remained so till his death.
  • After his death in 1964, the government of India decided to convert the place into a museum dedicated to Jawahar Lal Nehru.
  • In November 1964 President Dr Radhakrishnan inaugurated the Nehru Memorial Museum in the Teen Murti.

Change into Prime Minister Museum and Library

  • In 2016 Prime Minister Narendra Modi proposed converting the Nehru Museum and Library into a national museum dedicated to all the Prime Ministers of India.
  • The proposal was approved by the Executive Council in a meeting in November 2016 and a decision was taken to construct the Museum of all Prime Ministers in the Teen Murti Estate.
  • The  Pradhanmantri Sangrahalaya dedicated to the 15 Prime Ministers of India, was opened to the public on 21st April 2022.
  • A special meeting of the Nehru Memorial Museum and Library Society was held in June 2023. The meeting was chaired by the Vice-President of the Prime Minister Museum and Library Society, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.
  • It approved the change in the name of the Nehru Memorial to the Prime Minister Museum and Library.

Under  Which Ministry is the  Prime Minister Museum and Library

  • The Prime Minister Museum and Library is funded by the Union Ministry of Culture.
  • The ministry is mandated to preserve, promote, and disseminate all forms of art and culture in the country.

Science and tech news

Cabinet Approves 3rd Launchpad for ISRO’s New Generation Rockets

The Union Cabinet has given its approval for the construction of the third launch pad of the Indian Space Research organisation (ISRO) which will be equipped to launch the future human space flight of ISRO and its next generation rockets.

Key Details

Approval and Location:

  • The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the construction of the third launch pad for the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).
  • It will be built at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh, which already houses two operational launch pads.

Budget and Timeline:

Budget: Rs 3,984.86 crore.

Completion Timeline: 48 months (4 years).

Purpose:

  • To support future human space flights and the launch of next-generation rockets.
  • Essential for India’s ambitious space targets, including the Bharatiya Antriksh Station by 2035 and a manned Moon mission by 2040.
  • Existing Launch Pads at SDSC

First Launch Pad:

  • Operational Since: September 20, 1993.
  • Capabilities: Launching Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) and Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV).

Second Launch Pad:

Operational Since: 2005.

Capabilities:

  • Launching Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) and LVM3 (GSLV Mk III), both powered by cryogenic engines.
  • Acts as a standby for PSLV launches.
  • Notable Mission: Chandrayaan-3 was launched from this pad.
  • Requirement for a Third Launch Pad

New Generation Rockets:

  • ISRO is developing heavier rockets with advanced propulsion systems to meet the demands of future missions.
  • Existing launch pads are inadequate for launching these advanced rockets.

India’s Space Ambitions:

  • Operational space station by 2035.
  • Manned mission to the Moon by 2040.
  • Historical Context of ISRO’s Launch Pads

Initial Launches:

  • The Indian space programme began with sounding rocket launches from the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, in 1963.
  • The first rocket launched from SDSC in 1971 was RH-125, a sounding rocket.

Development of SDSC: SDSC became the focal point for ISRO’s expanding capabilities, housing India’s first two launch pads and now preparing for a third to support future advancements.

Blue Origin Successfully Launches New Glenn Rocket on First Test Flight

In January 2025, Blue Origin Enterprises, L.P., the American space technology company headquartered in Washington, the United States of America (USA), founded by Amazon’s Executive Chairman Jeff Bezos, successfully launched its reusable ‘New Glenn (NG) rocket’ on a first test flight, from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, the USA. The rocket was named after John Glenn who was the first American to orbit Earth.

Key Highlights

Launch Details:

  • Date: January 2025.
  • Rocket: New Glenn (NG), named after John Glenn, the first American to orbit Earth.
  • Mission Name: NG-1.
  • Launch Site: Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida, USA.
  • Objective: To test the rocket’s capabilities, including delivering a prototype satellite to orbit and recovering the first-stage booster.

Mission Outcome:

Payload: Successfully launched the Blue Ring Pathfinder test satellite into orbit.

First-Stage Booster:

  • Attempted to land on a drone ship in the Atlantic Ocean but did not succeed.
  • Emphasis remained on the mission’s primary goal of successful satellite deployment.

Second Stage: Planned to stay in orbit for six hours before being placed into a safe orbit to prevent space debris, adhering to NASA guidelines.

About New Glenn Rocket

Specifications:

  • Height: 320 feet (98 meters).
  • Purpose: Designed to carry spacecraft and astronauts to orbit and eventually to the Moon.


China Launches Pakistan’s First Remote Sensing Satellite, PRSC-E01

On January 17 2025, China successfully launched Pakistan’s first Remote Sensing Satellite – Earth Observing 1 (PRSC-E01) aboard the Long March-Dimensional (LM-2D) rocket for Pakistan from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center (JSLC), China. The rocket also carried 2 other satellites, Tianlu-1 and Lantan-1.

Satellite Overview:

PRSC-E01:

  • Developed by Pakistan’s Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO).
  • Equipped with a high-resolution electro-optical sensor.
  • Part of a series of three optical remote sensing satellites for Pakistan.
  • Joins existing satellites PRSS-1 and PakTES-1A in orbit.

Purpose:

  • Land mapping and urban/rural planning.
  • Agricultural classification and environmental monitoring.
  • Natural disaster management and resource protection.

Capabilities:

Deploy satellites into correct orbits.

Reusability: Aims to land and reuse its first-stage booster.

Significance

  • Space Exploration: A milestone for Blue Origin in advancing its capability to compete with other commercial space companies.
  • Environmental Responsibility: Demonstrates commitment to minimizing space debris by ensuring second stages are safely managed.

About Blue Origin Enterprises, L.P.

  • Founded: 2000.
  • Founder: Jeff Bezos, Executive Chairman of Amazon.
  • CEO: Dave Limp.
  • Headquarters: Washington, USA.
  • Mission: To develop reusable rocket technology and advance human access to space.

About China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation(CASC):

  • Chairman- Chen Mingbo
  • Headquarters- Beijing, China
  • Established 1999

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