National news:
1. “Telecom Engineering Centre Expands Simplified Certification Scheme to Cover 37 More Products, Cutting Certification Time to Two Weeks”
- TEC of DoT brings 37 additional products, including media gateway and optical fiber, under the Simplified Certification Scheme.
- Effective immediately, reducing certification time from eight to two weeks, promoting ease of doing business.
- Total products under SCS increased to 49 from 12, streamlining the certification process.
- Administrative fee only for ER-based applications under MTCTE, regardless of GCS and SCS category.
- Complete waiver of evaluation fee, providing over 80% reduction in application costs for manufacturers.
- Currently, sixty Telecom and Networking products fall under the MTCTE regime.
2. “SBI Begins Sale of Electoral Bonds Through 29 Branches, Valid for 15 Days; Ministry of Finance Authorizes Issuance and Encashment”
- Sale of Electoral Bonds initiated through 29 SBI branches until the 11th of the month.
- Authorized branches include locations in Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, Gujarat, Maharashtra, and other states.
- Ministry of Finance authorizes SBI for the 30th phase of issuing and encashing Electoral Bonds.
- Bonds valid for fifteen days; no payments to political parties after the expiry of the validity period.
- Only Indian citizens can purchase, and eligible political parties must have secured at least one percent of votes in the last election.
- Bond deposited by eligible political parties credited on the same day.
3. “PM Modi Inaugurates and Lays Foundation Stone for Rs 20,000 Crore Worth of Projects in Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu”
- Projects span aviation, rail, road, oil and gas, shipping, and higher education sectors.
- Inauguration of the New Terminal Building of Tiruchirappalli International Airport, costing over Rs 1,100 crore.
- PM Modi emphasizes the projects’ role in strengthening state progress and fostering economic growth.
- Projects expected to ease travel and generate numerous employment opportunities for the youth.
- PM Modi expresses solidarity with flood-affected people in Tamil Nadu and pays tribute to late Vijaykant and M.S. Swaminathan.
- Attends Bharathidasan University’s 38th Convocation, lauds India’s economic growth records.
- Highlights achievements, such as doubling the number of airports and increasing cargo handling capacity of major ports.
- Prime Minister on a two-day visit to Tamil Nadu, Lakshadweep, and Kerala; to address various events and inaugurate development projects.
- Upcoming engagements include addressing beneficiaries of central government schemes in Lakshadweep and attending ‘Sthree Shakthi Samgamam’ in Kerala.
- In Lakshadweep, PM Modi to inaugurate the Kochi-Lakshadweep Submarine Optical Fiber Connection Project, enhancing internet speed by more than 100 times.
- Dedication of the Low Temperature Desalination Plant, Functional Household Tap Connections, and battery-backed solar power project in Lakshadweep.
- Foundation stone laying for the renovation of the Primary Health Care facility and construction of model anganwadi centers.
4. “Notification Issued for Rajya Sabha Elections: Three Seats from Delhi, One from Sikkim”
- Elections to three Rajya Sabha seats in Delhi and one in Sikkim announced through official notification.
- Nominations accepted until the 9th of the month; polling scheduled for 19th January.
- Outgoing members from Delhi include Sanjay Singh, Sushil Kumar Gupta, and Narain Dass Gupta of Aam Aadmi Party.
- Hishey Lachungpa of Sikkim Democratic Front completing term next month.
- Electoral process underway for the selection of new representatives to the Rajya Sabha.
- Capital of Sikkim – Gangtok.
Chief Minister – Prem Singh Tamang (PS Golay).
Governor- Ganga Prasad.
5. “PM Modi’s Leadership Drives Screening of Over 10 Million in National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission”
- National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission screens more than 10 million people for Sickle Cell Disease.
- Union Health Ministry aims to screen 7 crore population within 3 years as part of the mission.
- Sickle cell disease, a genetic blood disorder, impacts patients throughout their lives.
- Initiative launched by PM Narendra Modi on July 1, 2023, at Shahdol, Madhya Pradesh.
- Mission focuses on screening, prevention, and management of sickle cell anemia in tribal and high-prevalence areas.
- Targets 278 districts across 17 states with higher prevalence of Sickle Cell Disease, including Gujarat, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, and others.
6. “Health Minister Inaugurates Upgraded National Centre for Disease Control, Emphasizes Disease Surveillance”
- Health Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya inaugurates upgraded National Centre for Disease Control in New Delhi.
- Lays foundation stones for Regional Branch of National Centre for Disease Control in Assam and six state branches in Haryana, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Odisha, West Bengal, and Mizoram.
- Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission highlighted for its contribution to building a robust healthcare system.
- Dr. Mandaviya underscores government’s commitment to strengthening disease surveillance and outbreak response.
- Emphasizes the importance of pandemic preparedness anchored in strong healthcare systems for better protection.
- Stresses the direct connection between the development of a country and the health and well-being of its citizens.
- Discusses the need for awareness among citizens and regional branches to combat diseases with variations.
- Foundation stone laid for two Biosafety Levels-3 laboratories in Himachal Pradesh and Jharkhand via video conferencing.
International news:
7. “Fatal Plane Collision at Tokyo’s Haneda Airport: 5 Coast Guard Crew Members Killed”
- Collision between a Japan Airlines plane and a Coast Guard aircraft at Tokyo’s Haneda airport.
- All 379 passengers and crew on the Japan Airlines plane escaped unharmed.
- Tragically, five out of six crew members on the Coast Guard plane lost their lives.
- Coast Guard aircraft was en route to Niigata airport for earthquake relief efforts.
- Japan’s Transport Minister Tetsuo Saito confirms the death of five Coast Guard crew members, with the captain injured.
- Prime Minister Fumio Kishida instructs relevant agencies to swiftly assess the damage and extends condolences to those who lost their lives in service.
- Capital of Japan – Tokyo.
Currency – Yen.
Language – Japanese.
Prime Minister – Fumio Kishida.
8. “Russia Assumes BRICS Chairmanship with Focus on Multilateral Cooperation”
- Russia begins its 2024 BRICS Chairmanship, emphasizing the motto “Strengthening Multilateralism for Equitable Global Development and Security.”
- Russian President Vladimir Putin pledges positive and constructive cooperation with all concerned countries.
- The baton of BRICS chairmanship officially passed to Russia on January 1.
- President Putin notes new full members, including Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, signaling the association’s growing authority.
- Russia commits to promoting BRICS partnership in politics and security, economy and finance, and cultural and humanitarian contacts.
- Focus on enhancing foreign policy coordination and joint efforts to address challenges and threats to international and regional security and stability.
- Capital of Russia – Moscow.
Currency – Ruble.
Language – Russian.
Prime Minister – Mikhail Vladimirovich Mishustin.
9. “Bangladesh Elections: Armed Forces to be Deployed for Eight Days Starting January 3”
- Armed forces to be deployed across Bangladesh from January 3 to 10 to assist local civil administration during the 12th parliamentary election.
- Deployment aims to ensure law and order during the national election scheduled for January 7, 2024.
- Armed forces personnel to be stationed at nodal points and convenient locations in every district, upazila, and metropolitan areas.
- Deployment based on requests from returning officers and coordination with stakeholders, as per Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) press release.
- Bangladesh Army assigned in 62 out of 64 districts, Navy in 19 coastal upazilas, and Air Forces to provide helicopter assistance in hilly remote areas.
- Other security forces, including Coast Guard, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), armed police, and Ansar, also on election duty.
- Capital of Bangladesh – Dhaka
Currency – Taka.
Language – Bangla.
Prime Minister – Sheikh Hasina.
Awards:
10. “CCSHAU Vice Chancellor Prof. B.R. Kamboj Receives M.S. Swaminathan Award for Outstanding Contributions in Agronomy”
- Prof. B.R. Kamboj honored at ‘One Health One World’ International Conference in Gwalior.
- Recognized for excellence in education, research, technology development, and agricultural extension.
- Award presented by Karnataka Governor Thawar Chand Gehlot.
- Acknowledged for addressing farmers’ needs through impactful agricultural recommendations.
- Author of 300 research papers and articles in national and international publications.
Sports:
11. “India Triumphs Over South Africa in Under-19 Cricket with 7-Wicket Victory”
- India secures a 7-wicket victory against South Africa in the 3rd match of the Trilateral ODI series in Johannesburg.
- Arshin Kulkarni shines with a score of 91 runs in the Men’s Under 19 Cricket encounter.
- South Africa’s innings concludes at 240 runs, all out in 46.1 overs.
- India Under 19 wins the toss and chooses to bowl in the competitive match.
12. “Australia Dominates Women’s Cricket: Wins Third ODI Against India by 190 Runs”
- In Women’s Cricket, Australia secures a convincing 190-run victory over India in the third and final ODI at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai.
- Phoebe Litchfield shines with a score of 119 runs, while Alyssa Healy contributes 82 runs, setting a challenging target of 339 runs for India.
- India struggles in response, getting all out for 148 runs in 32.4 overs.
- Australia wins the toss and chooses to bat first, displaying a dominant performance in the match.
- Capital of Australia – Canberra.
Currency – Australian Dollar.
Language – English.
Prime Minister – Anthony Norman Albanese.
13. “Khelo India Sub Junior Women’s Hockey League Phase 2 Kicks Off: Odisha and Jai Bharat Academy Secure Wins”
- On the opening day of the second phase of Khelo India Sub Junior Women’s Hockey League in New Delhi, Odisha Naval Tata Hockey High-Performance Centre triumphs over Bhai Behlo Hockey Academy, Bhagta with a 4-0 score.
- In the second match, Jai Bharat Hockey Academy emerges victorious with a 3-2 win against Anantpur Sports Academy.
- The third match sees a 2-2 draw between SAI Bal Team and Pritam Siwach Hockey Academy.
- The first phase of the league concluded on December 30, 2023, showcasing promising performances in women’s junior hockey.
Business:
14. “GST Collections Surge 10% to Reach Rs 1.64 Lakh Crore in December 2023”
- December’s GST revenue stands at Rs 1,64,882 crore, a 10.3% increase compared to the same month last year.
- Central Goods and Services Tax (CGST) collection is Rs 30,443 crore, State Goods and Services Tax (SGST) is Rs 37,935 crore, Integrated Goods and Services Tax (IGST) is around Rs 84,255 crore, and cess is Rs 12,249 crore.
- Overall GST collection records robust growth of 12% with Rs 14.97 lakh crore collected in the last nine months, compared to Rs 13.40 lakh crore in the same period in 2022.
- Average monthly gross GST collection in the first nine months of the fiscal year is Rs 1.66 lakh crore.
- Government settles over Rs 40,000 crore to CGST and over Rs 33,000 crore to SGST from IGST.
15. “Coal Production Surges to Over 92 Million Tonne in December 2023, Marking 10.75% Increase”
- Ministry of Coal achieves a significant rise in overall coal production, exceeding 92 million tonnes in December 2023.
- The figure surpasses the previous year’s production of over 83 million tonnes, reflecting a substantial growth of 10.75%.
- Coal India Limited’s production increases to over 71 million tonnes in December 2023, up from over 66 million tonnes in December 2022, with a growth rate of 8.27%.
- Cumulative coal production for the financial year 2023-24 reaches over 684 million tonnes, showcasing a growth of 12.47% compared to the same period in the last financial year.
- Coal dispatch in December 2023 surpasses 86 million tonnes, demonstrating notable progress and an eight percent growth compared to December 2022.
- The coal sector experiences unprecedented growth attributed to Coal PSUs, playing a pivotal role in driving progress.
- The Ministry of Coal reaffirms its commitment to maintaining consistent coal production and dispatch to ensure an uninterrupted and reliable energy sector supply.
Obituary:
16. “PM Modi Mourns the Passing of Professor Ved Prakash Nanda, Recognizes His Distinctive Contributions to Legal Education and India-USA Relations”
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi expresses sadness over the demise of Professor Ved Prakash Nanda.
- Acknowledges Prof. Nanda’s invaluable contributions to the legal field and strong commitment to legal education.
- Highlights Prof. Nanda’s prominence in the Indian diaspora in the USA and his passion for enhancing India-USA relations.
- Extends condolences to the family and friends of Prof. Nanda.
- In 2018, Prof. Nanda was honored with the prestigious Padma Bhushan award.
- Prof. Nanda, as a professor of International Law at the University of Denver, held significant roles, including President of the World Jurist Association and honorary Vice President of the American Society of International Law.
