NATIONAL:
1. The Indus Waters Treaty (IWT)
Why in news - New Delhi has issued a notice to Islamabad seeking modification of the 62 years old Indus Waters Treaty (IWT).
Key Points –
• Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) governs the sharing of waters of six rivers in the Indus system between India and Pakistan.
• The notice has invoked Article XII (3) of the treaty.
• Pakistan has raised objections over two hydroelectric power projects that India is constructing –
A. Kishanganga Hydroelectric Project on the Kishanganga river (tributary of Jhelum)
B. Ratle Hydroelectric Plant on Chenab
• Article XII (4) provides for the termination of the Treaty through “a duly ratified Treaty concluded for that purpose between the two governments”.
2. SC Judgments in Regional Languages
Why in news - The judgments of the Supreme Court would now be translated into 4 languages —Hindi, Tamil, Gujarati and Odia.
Key Points –
• Justice Abhay Oka committee - To translate the judgments into four languages.
• ‘Online e-Inspection Software’ – To facilitate online e-inspection of digitised judicial files through the internet.
• “JustIS” mobile application - It gives free access to the entirety of the court record and information about the cases which can be accessed by advocates, journalists etc.
3. Intranasal COVID19 Vaccine
Why in news – Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya and Jitendra Singh launched a nasal vaccine against Covid-19 iNCOVACC on Jan 26, 2023.
Key Points –
• It is developed by Bharat Biotech International Limited (BBIL) in collaboration with Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance (BIRAC).
• It is world’s first intra-nasal (nasal drops) COVID-19 vaccine.
• ZyCoV-D - The world’s first and India’s indigenously developed DNA based vaccine for Covid-19.
• ‘Mission COVID Suraksha’ - The Government would facilitate the clinical development, manufacturing and licensing of Indian vaccines to curb the virus attack.
4. Google Doodle on 74th Republic Day
Why in news – Google celebrated India's 74th Republic Day with a creative masterpiece.
Key Points –
• It was created by artist Parth Kothekar.
• It illustrated the Republic Day Parade, along with some iconic landmarks like Rashtrapati Bhavan, the India Gate, the Daredevil motorcycle riders, and the CRFP marching contingent.
5. Sabir Ali
Why in news - Sabir Ali, known as the “Iron Man of India” passed away at the age of 67.
Key Points –
• He was known for his dedication and commitment to fitness, and his passion for promoting a healthy lifestyle.
• He was the first Indian to complete a non-stop 1000 push-ups and held the record for the greatest number of push-ups in a minute.
SUMMITS & CONFERENCES:
1. 30th National Child Science Congress (NCSC)
Why in news – NCSC was organized from Jan 27 to 31, 2023 at Gujarat Science City (Ahmedabad).
Key Points –
• Theme - ‘Understanding Eco System for Health & Well-being’.
• Recently, the 108th Indian Science Congress held at Nagpur, Maharashtra.
2. 12th ITWG on Animal Genetic Resources (AnGR)
Why in news – The 12th session of the Intergovernmental Technical Working Group (ITWG) on AnGR was concluded in Rome.
Key Points –
• India was elected as Vice-Chair and represented Asia & Pacific region.
• Indian Vice-Chair - Dr B N Tripathi, Deputy Director General (Animal Sciences), ICAR.
• ITWG was established by the FAO’s Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (CGRFA).
• In the 12th Session of ITWG, implementation of the Global Plan of Action for Animal Genetic Resources was reviewed.
SCIENCE – TECH:
1. Nuclear Thermal Rocket Engine
Why in news - NASA and DARPA are collaborating to demonstrate a nuclear thermal rocket engine in space.
Key Points –
• Program name - Demonstration Rocket for Agile Cislunar Operations (DRACO) program.
• DARPA - Defence Advanced Research Projects Agency.
2. Brain-Like Computing
Why in news - A team of Indian and Australian scientists have developed brain-like computing using scandium nitride (ScN, a semiconductor).
Key Points –
• ScN mimics a synapse, controlling signal transmission and remembering the signal.
• ScN is highly stable and compatible with Complementary Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor (CMOS) technology.
• CMOS is the semiconductor technology used in most of today's integrated circuits (ICs).
• Also, Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR), Bengaluru used nitride-based materials to develop hardware for neuromorphic computing.
ENVIRONMENT:
1. 100 Cheetahs to India
Why in news - India and South Africa (SA) signed an MoU to translocate more than 100 cheetahs to India over the next decade.
Key Points –
• 12 big cats may arrive in India in February 2023.
• The plan is to translocate 12 cheetahs every year for the next eight to 10 years.
• IUCN status –
A. African Cheetahs – Vulnerable.
B. Asiatic Cheetahs - critically endangered.
• 8 cheetahs arrived from Namibia in September 2022.
• The Namibian specimens were released at Kuno National Park.
• Asiatic cheetah was declared extinct in India in 1952.
2. Green Railway Station Certification
Why in news - Visakhapatnam railway station has been awarded the ‘Green Railway Station Certification with the highest rating of Platinum'.
Key Points –
• It was given by the Indian Green Building Council (IGBC).
• Reason - For adopting green concepts thereby reducing the adverse environmental impact.
• Visakhapatnam railway station falls under the Waltair division of the East Coast Railway.
• In 2022, Bhagalpur railway station (BGP) (Malda division, Eastern Railway) received IGBC ‘Green Railway Station Certification’ with a Silver rating by CII.
• In 2021, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus Railway Station (CSMT) was awarded IGBC Gold Certification.
IMPORTANT DAYS:
1. Data Privacy Day 2023
Why in news - January 28 is observed as Data Privacy Day around the world.
Key Points –
• It is an international initiative to raise awareness about the significance of protecting Data and respecting privacy.
• Theme - “Privacy Matters.”
• General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) - A European Union law that established protections for privacy and security of personal data.
SPORTS:
1. Women's Premier League (WPL)
Why in news - The BCCI announced the successful bidders for 5 teams in the opening edition of WPL.
Key Points –
• The combined bid valuation is INR 4669.99 Cr.
• 5 teams (cities) –
A. Ahmedabad (Adani Sportsline Pvt Ltd) - INR 1289 crore (Highest bid).
B. Mumbai (Indiawin Sports Pvt Ltd, Reliance Group) - INR 912.99 crores.
C. Bengaluru (Royal Challengers group) - INR 901 crores.
D. Delhi (JSW group) - INR 810 crore.
E. Lucknow (Capri Global) - INR 757 crores.
BIHAR:
1. Republic Day 2023
Why in news - Bihar Governor Phagu Chouhan hoisted the flag at Gandhi Maidan in Patna on Jan 26. 2023.
Key Points –
• On the occasion, 12 tableaux were displayed at Gandhi Maidan.
• Top 3 tableau –
A. Panchayati Raj Department.
B. Agriculture Department
C. Tourism Department and Bihar education project (tie)
POINTERS:
• Which company has launched the second phase of 'Girls4Tech STEM' initiatives in India – Mastercard.
• Which company plans to set up 25000 EV charging points across the country - Tata Power.
• Dhokra art, which has been in news recently, is related to - Metal Casting.
• Which company launched India's first AI-powered screening mechanism to automatically identify chart patterns in various stocks – StockEdge.
• In which city the G20 Startup 20 Engagement Group will hold its founding meeting from January 28-29, 2023 – Hyderabad.
• Who showed the tableau for the first time in the Republic Day Parade 2023 - Narcotics Control Bureau.
• Which state's health department has confirmed 2 cases of norovirus in January 2023 – Kerala.
• Recently, who has been appointed as the new CEO of Tata Trusts - Siddhant Sharma.
• North India's largest floating solar project launched in which city – Chandigarh.
• Which country’s population declined by 8,50,000 in 2022, the first time since a nationwide famine in 1961 – China.