Current Affairs for NDA 2025: Stay updated with the latest key developments from the first week of January brought a mix of significant updates across education, space, defense, environment, and sports. India witnessed a 6% drop in school enrollment rates due to revised data collection methods, raising concerns in the education sector.
ISRO launched its ambitious “Space Docking Experiment” (SpaDeX) mission, while Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders introduced the sixth Scorpene Submarine ‘Vagsheer’ under Project-75. The India State of Forest Report 2023 highlighted the country’s progress in forest conservation, and China announced the construction of the world’s largest hydropower dam on the Brahmaputra.
In defense, the Indian Navy’s INS Surat became the fastest indigenous destroyer ever built. Sports achievements included R. Vaishali Rameshbabu clinching a bronze in the World Blitz Chess Championship and Praveen Kumar being awarded the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna. These developments set a dynamic tone for the year ahead.
JANUARY 1ST WEEK CURRENT AFFAIRS NDA
- The school enrollment rate in India in 2023-24 was 24.8 crore students, which is a 6% drop from the previous year: Explanation the enrollment rate dropped due to new data collection methods implemented in 2022-23. The new system requires schools to provide detailed information for each student, including their name, address, and Aadhaar number. This may have removed some students who were enrolled in both a government and private school. Comparison to previous years the enrollment rate has been around 26 crore over the last four years. The drop in 2023-24 is steeper than pre-pandemic levels, with over 1 crore students lost since 2018-19. Impact the decline in enrollment is a “major challenge” for the education sector, and a senior official has called for urgent attention. The Economic Survey 2023-24 reported that over 30 crore students are enrolled in India’s education system, which shows progress in school, higher education, and skill development enrollments.
- The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is set to launch its year-end mission, “Space Docking Experiment” (SpaDeX), today from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) SHAR in Sriharikota.
- Recently, Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders launched the sixth Scorpene Submarine ‘ Vagsheer’ of Project -75.
- What is a Scorpene Class Submarine? The submarines in the Project-75 Scorpene Class are powered by diesel-electric propulsion systems. Scorpene is one of the most sophisticated submarines, capable of undertaking multifarious missions including anti-surface ship warfare, anti-submarine warfare, intelligence gathering, mine laying, and area surveillance. The Scorpene class is the Navy’s first modern conventional submarine series in almost two decades since INS Sindhushastra, procured from Russia in July 2000.
- Nitrates can be present in groundwater due to a number of human and natural factors, including: Fertilizers: The extensive use of fertilizers in agriculture to increase crop yield can lead to nitrate contamination. Septic systems: Poor management of septic systems can cause nitrates to enter groundwater. Animal waste: Manure on the land and animal excreta can contribute to nitrate contamination. Wastewater: Treated wastewater can contain nitrates and be used in groundwater recharge projects. Natural bacteria: Bacteria in soil can convert nitrogen into nitrate. Precipitation: Rain and irrigation water can carry nitrate down through the soil into groundwater.
- Researchers from IIT-Guwahati and the Bose Institute, Kolkata have developed an advanced injectable hydrogel for localized cancer treatment.
- The Pre-packaged Insolvency Resolution Process (PPIRP) has resulted in the full settlement of operational creditors’ claims in five cases.
- Draft National Policy Framework on Agricultural Marketing. Context: The Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare has recently released the draft National Policy Framework on Agricultural Marketing (NPFAM). Samyukt Kisan Morcha (umbrella organisation of farmers’ outfits) has raised concerns regarding the new draft Policy, labelling them worse than the three repealed farm laws.
- Slum Rehabilitation (ISSR) is a program that aims to provide housing to slum dwellers by using the land under slums with private participation. It is part of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban) – Housing for All mission. The program includes: Central government grant: The central government provides an average of Rs. 1 lakh per house. Flexibility: States and cities can use the grant for other slums being redeveloped. No land cost: The central government does not charge land cost. Additional FSI/FAR or TDR: States and cities can provide this to make projects financially viable. The construction period of projects under ISSR is between 12-36 months from the date of approval.
- Recently, the Union Education Minister released the Unified District Information System for Education (UDISE) Plus 2021-22 report on school education. The Ministry of Education also released the Performance Grading Index (PGI) for 2020-21.
- Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Shri Bhupender Yadav released the ‘India State of Forest Report 2023 (ISFR 2023) today at Forest Research Institute, Dehradun. The ISFR is brought out by the Forest Survey of India (FSI) on a biennial basis since 1987. FSI carries out in-depth assessment of the forest and tree resources of the country based on interpretation of Remote Sensing satellite data and field based National Forest Inventory (NFI), and the results are published in the ISFR. The India State of Forest Report 2023 is 18th such report in the series.
- Recently, the opposition party has described the proposed Rs 72,000-crore infrastructure upgrade at the Great Nicobar Island as a “grave threat” to the island’s indigenous inhabitants and fragile ecosystem, and demanded immediate suspension of all clearances and a thorough, impartial review of the proposed project, including by the concerned Parliamentary committees.
- INS Surat is a stealth guided missile destroyer of the Indian Navy: Features the INS Surat is the fourth and final ship of the Visakhapatnam class, which is part of Project 15B. It’s the first AI-enabled warship of the Indian Navy, and is equipped with advanced weapons and sensors. Armament the INS Surat has a variety of weapons, including: 16 Brahmos anti-ship cruise missiles 32 Barak 8ER surface-to-air missiles. Leonardo 76mm naval gun Twin 533mm torpedo launchers Anti-submarine rocket launchers Four AK-630M 30mm close-in weapon systems Two 12.7mm heavy machine guns Speed. The INS Surat can reach speeds of over 30 knots (56 km/h). Construction the INS Surat was built using the block construction methodology, which involves building the hull in two different locations and joining them together. Naming the INS Surat is named after the commercial capital of Gujarat, India. The city has a rich maritime history and vessels built there in the 16th and 18th centuries were known for their longevity. Delivery the INS Surat was delivered to the Indian Navy within 31 months, making it the fastest indigenous destroyer ever built.
- China has approved the construction of the world’s largest hydropower dam on the lower reaches of the Yarlung Zangbo River (Brahmaputra) on the Tibetan plateau. The ambitious project aims to produce 300 billion kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity annually, more than tripling the capacity of the Three Gorges Dam, the current world leader in hydropower. Course of the river Brahmaputra. The Brahmaputra, originating in Tibet as the Yarlung Tsangpo, flows through India’s Arunachal Pradesh and Assam before entering Bangladesh and emptying into the Bay of Bengal. As a perennial river, it sustains communities through irrigation, fisheries, and inland transport. While it enriches agriculture by depositing fertile alluvial soil, its lower course poses challenges with recurring, devastating floods in Assam and Bangladesh due to climatic and geographical conditions. DRDO’s 67th Foundation Day: Floral tributes paid to former President Dr APJ Abdul Kalam at his bust in DRDO Headquarters Several systems handed over & Acceptance of Necessity accorded for value of Rs 1.10 lakh crore in 2024: DRDO Chairman “73 projects worth Rs 275 crore sanctioned in 2024 engaging 266 researchers & 10 new academic institutes” “1,950 Transfer of Technologies on DRDO-developed systems handed over to Indian Industries; 256 Licensing Agreements for Transfer of Technology signed in 2024” manu bhaker , harmanpreet , d gukesh. Praveen Kumar to receive major dhyan chand khel ratna award known as the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award Major Dhyan Chand Sport Jewel Award) or formerly known as the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award, is the highest sporting honour of India It is awarded annually by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports Government of India .The Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puruskar (RKPP) is an award given by the Government of India to recognize organizations that promote and develop sports in the country. The award is given to: Corporate entities, Sports Control Boards, NGOs, Sports bodies at the State and National level. The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports introduced the RKPP in 2009. The purpose of the award is to encourage the involvement of these organizations in the promotion and development of sports. R. Vaishali Rameshbabu is an Indian chess grandmaster: Achievements Vaishali is India’s third female grandmaster and the 84th grandmaster overall. She is also the first woman to earn the title in a sibling duo with her brother, Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu. Playing style Vaishali is known for her aggressive and dynamic playing style. Some of her most played openings include the Indian Game, Sicilian Defense: Canal Attack, and Sicilian Defense: Open, Najdorf Variation. Clinches bronze at world blitz chess championship.Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah, launched the book Jammu Kashmir & Ladakh Through the Ages: A Visual Narrative of Continuities and Linkages*in New Delhi. The event, attended by Union Minister of Education Shri Dharmendra Pradhan and ICHR Chairman. India’s first coastal and wader birds census is being organized at Marine National Park and Marine Sanctuary located in Jamnagar (Gujarat). It will be organized from 3 to 5 January 2025. It is being done by the Gujarat Forest Department in collaboration with Bird Conservation Society Gujarat, an NGO. Wader birds: Wader birds are birds that are found around reservoirs, ponds, rivers, lakes, seas or other water bodies. They do most of their activities like feeding, nesting and living near water. Such as- crane, stork, shoebill, ibis, heron and flamingo. A diverse crowd, including locals, students and international visitors, thronged the Golconda Fort on Friday (January 3) to check out an impressive array of weaponry displayed at the ‘Know Your Army Mela 2025’. The event was organised under the auspices of Headquarters Telangana and Andhra Sub Area (HQ TASA) and coordinated by the Artillery Centre, Hyderabad Bhuvnesh kumar recently took charge of ceo of uidai ( organisation responsible to storing and processing all the biometric data and aadhar verification. The Centre on Monday assigned senior Indian Police Service (IPS) officer Vitul Kumar to officiate charge for the post of Director General of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF upon the retirement of the incumbent force chief Anish Dayal Singh on December 31, 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Why did India’s school enrollment rate drop in 2023-24?
The drop in school enrollment rates (6%) is attributed to new data collection methods implemented in 2022-23. Schools are now required to provide detailed student information, including names, addresses, and Aadhaar numbers, which may have removed duplicate enrollments.
2. What is ISRO’s Space Docking Experiment (SpaDeX)?
The Space Docking Experiment (SpaDeX) is ISRO’s latest mission aimed at demonstrating the ability to dock two spacecraft in orbit. It was launched from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) in Sriharikota.
3. What is the Scorpene Class Submarine, and why is it significant?
Scorpene Class Submarines, like the recently launched ‘Vagsheer’ under Project-75, are advanced diesel-electric submarines capable of anti-surface warfare, anti-submarine warfare, intelligence gathering, and mine-laying. These submarines mark a significant leap in modernizing the Indian Navy.
4. What does the India State of Forest Report 2023 reveal?
The ISFR 2023 highlights India’s progress in forest and tree conservation. Published biennially by the Forest Survey of India, it provides insights based on satellite data and field-based inventories.
5. What is the INS Surat, and what are its features?
INS Surat is a stealth guided-missile destroyer and the fourth ship of the Visakhapatnam class under Project 15B. It features advanced AI-enabled technology, a variety of weaponry, and a speed of over 30 knots. It is also the fastest indigenous destroyer ever built.
6. Why is China’s hydropower project on the Brahmaputra significant?
China’s hydropower dam on the Yarlung Zangbo River (Brahmaputra) will generate 300 billion kWh of electricity annually, tripling the capacity of the Three Gorges Dam. This raises geopolitical and environmental concerns for downstream regions, including India.
7. What are nitrates, and why are they a concern for groundwater?
Nitrates, commonly introduced through fertilizers, animal waste, septic systems, and precipitation, can contaminate groundwater. This contamination poses risks to drinking water and overall environmental health.
8. Who is R. Vaishali Rameshbabu, and what are her achievements?
R. Vaishali Rameshbabu is India’s third female chess grandmaster and a bronze medalist at the World Blitz Chess Championship. She is also the first woman grandmaster in a sibling duo with her brother, Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu.
9. What is the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award?
India’s highest sporting honor, the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna, is awarded annually by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports to recognize outstanding sports achievements.
10. What is the significance of the Know Your Army Mela 2025?
The event showcased an array of advanced weaponry and equipment, aiming to increase public awareness of India’s defense capabilities. It was organized at the Golconda Fort under the Artillery Centre, Hyderabad.
