NATIONAL:
1. Tarang Mail Service
Why in news - In Gujarat, India Post started Tarang Mail Service to deliver parcels and mail through the sea route.
Key Points –
• Minister of State for communications Devusinh Chauhan flagged off the service at Hazira port in Surat.
• India Post used RoPax Ferry Services on Gogha- Hazira route for speedy postal services between Saurashtra and South Gujarat& Mumbai.
2. Etalin Hydroelectric Project (EHEP)
Why in news - The proposed Etalin hydroelectric project in Arunachal Pradesh has been scrapped in its present form.
Key Points –
• Proposed capacity of EHEP - 3,097-megawatt.
• It proposed gravity dams on rivers Tangon and Dri.
• It was a joint venture between Jindal Power Ltd and the Hydropower Development Corporation of Arunachal Pradesh Ltd.
• Dibang Valley, in Arunachal Pradesh, forms part of the Eastern Himalaya Global Biodiversity Hotspot.
3. STEM Innovation and Learning Centre
Why in news - The American India Foundation (AIF) inaugurated India’s first STEM Innovation and Learning Centre (SILC) at Chennai.
Key Points –
• Digital Equalizer has designed the Centre to be a one-stop solution for STEM among students and teachers.
4. Hakku Patra (Land title deeds)
Why in news - PM Modi symbolically distributed Hakku Patra (land title deeds) to five families of the Banjara (Lambani) community.
Key Points –
• Lambanis are traditionally nomadic tribes with a large population in Kalyana, Karnataka.
• Banjara thandas means Banjara habitations (hamlet).
5. ‘India: The Modi Question’
Why in news – Minister of Information and Broadcasting directed YouTube and Twitter to take down links sharing the BBC documentary.
Key Points –
• The order was passed under the emergency provisions of the Information Technology Rules, 2021.
INTERNATIONAL:
1. Non-oil Commodities Trade in Rupees
Why in news - The United Arab Emirates is in early discussions with India to trade non-oil commodities in Indian rupees.
Key Points –
• India-UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement entered into force on May 1, 2022 (signed on Feb 18, 2022).
• The UAE’s trade deal with India aims to increase bilateral non-oil trade to $100 billion in the next five years.
2. Exercise Juniper Oak 2023
Why in news - Israel and United States kicked off a large-scale joint exercise in Israel and over the eastern Mediterranean Sea.
Key Points –
• It involved over 140 aircraft, 12 naval vessels, and artillery systems.
SECURITY:
1. INS Vagir (Sand Shark)
Why in news - 5th stealth Scorpene class Submarine INS Vagir was commissioned into the Indian Navy on Jan 23, 2023 in Mumbai.
Key Points –
• Motto of the submarine - ‘Saahas Shaurya Samarpan’ (Courage, Valour and Dedication).
• It is a diesel-electric Kalvari-class submarine.
• 6 Scorpene Class submarines are being built in India by the Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) Mumbai under Project 75.
• Other submarine - INS Kalvari, INS Khanderi, INS Karanj, INS Vela and INS Vagsheer.
• Indian Navy resolve to be a fully ‘AatmaNirbhar’ force by 2047”.
AWARDS & HONOURS:
1. Indian Achievers Award
Why in news - R Vishnu Prasad has been honoured as the most distinguished scientist of the year 2022” at Vigyan Bhawan, Delhi.
Key Points –
• Vishnu worked on sustainability, smart cities and solid waste management and treatment of large water bodies.
2. Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar 2023
Why in news - President Droupadi Murmu conferred the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar 2023 to 11 children.
Key Points –
• The awards are conferred upon children in the age group of 5–18 years.
• These awards are given for their excellence in 6 categories — art and culture, bravery, innovation, scholastic, social service and sports.
3. Aapda Prabandhan Puraskar 2023
Why in news – The centre has announced Subhash Chandra Bose Aapda Prabandhan Puraskar for 2023.
Key Points –
• Awardees –
A. Odisha State Disaster Management Authority (OSDMA).
B. Lunglei Fire Station (LFS), Mizoram.
• OSDMA initiatives - SATARK (System for Assessing, Tracking, and Alerting Disaster Risk Information based on Dynamic Risk Knowledge).
• Lunglei Fire Station, Mizoram, responded efficiently and effectively to a massive forest fire which was reported on April 24, 2021.
IMPORTANT DAYS:
1. National Girl Child Day 2023
Why in news – It is marked on January 24 to celebrate the girl child.
Key Points –
• It is an initiative of Minister of Women and Child Development and has been celebrated in India since 2008.
• Slogan for National Girl Child Day 2023 - "Digital Generation, Our Generation, Our Time is Now—Our Rights, Our Future."
SPORTS:
1. FIH Men's Hockey World Cup 2023
Why in news - Netherlands registered a record-breaking 14-0 win over debutants Chile.
Key Points –
• It is the biggest margin of victory in a World Cup match.
• Earlier, the record was held by world No.1 Australia, who thrashed South Africa 12-0 in New Delhi.
• The Netherlands have won the World Cup thrice and finished runners-up in the last two editions.
2. ICC T20 Team of the Year 2022
Why in news - ICC announced the men’s and women’s T20I teams of the year for the year 2022.
Key Points –
• From India (men) - Suryakumar Yadav, Virat Kohli and Hardik Pandya.
• From India (women) - Smriti Mandhana, Richa Ghosh, Deepti Sharma and Renuka Singh.
• ICC Men's T20I Team captain - Jos Buttler (men) and Sophie Devine (women).
STATES/UTs:
1. Green Energy State
Why in news - Himachal Pradesh intends to become the first Green Energy State by the end of 2025.
Key Points –
• Method - By harnessing hydro, hydrogen and solar energy and switching to green products.
• The state government would install 500 MW solar projects during the year 2023-24.
BIHAR:
1. Made in Chanpatia
Why in news - Chanpatia’s Start-Up Zone is the brainchild of West Champaran District Magistrate Kundan Kumar.
Key Points –
• Kundan Kumar is among the 19 winners of The Indian Express Excellence in Governance Awards for 2020 and 2021.
• Kundan Kumar won in the Start-up & Innovation category, with Amit Shah handing over the awards on January 17, 2023.
• Chanpatia start-up Zone is home to 58 small units that run out of an abandoned State Food Corporation (SFC) Godown in Chanpatia block.
POINTERS:
• Which company has delivered the first fuselage of AH-64 Apache to the Indian Army - Tata Boeing Aerospace Limited (TBAL).
• Who has signed MoU with Research and Information System (RIS) to set up Center for Ocean Economy and Connectivity - Indian Ports Association (IPA).
• Which company will launch Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) service for RailWire customers from January 26 – Railtel.
• Which bank has become the first public sector bank to digitally launch credit card against fixed deposits - Punjab National Bank.
• Who has become the oldest living person in the world following the death of 118-year-old Lucile Randon from France - María Branyas Morera.
• Which is the first country to extend assurance to Sri Lanka for its debt restructuring – India.
• What is the rank of India in the recently released Global Firepower Index – Fourth.
• In which country has Google tested Sound Pod by Google Pay for UPI payments – India.
• Who topped the list of richest actors released by World of Statistics - Jerry Seinfeld.
• Which state has become the fourth state to restore the old pension scheme - Himachal Pradesh