Himachal Pradesh has been recognized as the ‘Best Performer’ in the States’ Startup Ranking 2022 among states with populations less than 1 crore.

• The state has 144 DPIIT-certified startups in sectors like agritech, tourism, and IT.
• Startups are driving job creation, innovation, and economic transformation.
• The state offers seed funding up to ₹25 lakh, subsidized incubation spaces, and R&D grants.
• Under PM Micro Food Processing Scheme, ₹56 crore was provided to 972 cases.
• ₹31 crore was allocated to 13,427 women self-help groups as seed capital.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) recently celebrated its 150th foundation day. During the event, Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled the ‘Vision-2047’ document, outlining ambitious goals for weather forecasting and disaster management.

• IMD was established on January 15, 1875, as the national meteorological service of India, responsible for meteorological observations, weather forecasting, and seismology.
• IMD’s Vision-2047 aims for 100% accuracy in three-day weather forecasts and 90% accuracy in five-day forecasts.
• It focuses on enhancing severe weather detection at the village level and aims for zero fatalities from such events by 2047.
• IMD is headquartered in New Delhi with regional offices in Chennai, Mumbai, Kolkata, Nagpur, Guwahati, and New Delhi.
• It is operated under the Ministry of Earth Sciences.

The Parbati-Kalisindh-Chambal-Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project (PKC-ERCP) is a significant initiative aimed at enhancing water availability in 23 districts of Rajasthan.

• It will provide water for irrigation, drinking, and industrial use, benefiting 3.45 crore people.
• The Parbati-Kalisindh-Chambal-Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project (PKC-ERCP) is a river-linking initiative designed to divert surplus water from the Parbati, Newaj, and Kalisindh rivers to the Chambal River.
• The project aims to provide water for domestic use, optimize water resources within the Chambal basin, and benefit regions in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan.
• The Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project (ERCP), proposed in 2019, facilitates intra-basin water transfer within the Chambal basin by utilizing surplus monsoon water from the Kalisindh, Parvati, Mej, and Chakan sub-basins.
• The project will submerge 408.86 sq km of land, including 37 sq km of the Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve, home to 57 tigers.
• A 39-meter-high, 1.6 km long dam will be built across the Banas River near Doongri, 30 km from Sawai Madhopur.
• Construction may disrupt the north-south animal dispersal route within the reserve.

Madhya Pradesh has launched the PARTH Yojana (Police Army Recruitment Training & Hunar) to prepare youth for careers in the Indian Army, police, and paramilitary forces.

• The PARTH Yojana aims to instill patriotism, enhance employability, and reduce unemployment among the youth of Madhya Pradesh by preparing them for competitive examinations in defense and law enforcement sectors.
• The scheme focuses on enhancing both physical and mental preparedness of candidates.
• Training components include physical fitness preparation, written examination coaching (covering general knowledge, mathematics, and English), and personality development guidance.
• Training centers will be established at divisional levels across the state, managed by district sports and youth welfare officers.
• The scheme is self-financed, with trainees paying a fixed monthly fee determined by the Sports Trainer Welfare Committee.
• The MPYP (Madhya Pradesh Youth Portal) has been launched to connect youth with skill development programs, career guidance, and employment opportunities.

Bharat Cleantech Manufacturing Platform was launched by Union Minister Piyush Goyal at the Bharat Climate Forum 2025.

• It aims to enhance cleantech value chains in solar, wind, hydrogen, and battery storage sectors.
• The platform facilitates collaboration, co-innovation, and resource sharing among Indian firms.
• It provides a platform for financing cleantech initiatives, supporting investment in the sector.
• Emphasis is placed on achieving self-sustaining growth without reliance on government subsidies.
• Supports India’s target of achieving 500 GW of clean energy by 2030.

India is set to host the 28th Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of Parliaments of Commonwealth Countries (CSPOC) from January 3 to 6, 2026, in New Delhi.

• Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla announced this during the CSPOC Standing Committee Meeting in Guernsey. 
• The conference will focus on the application of artificial intelligence (AI) and social media in parliamentary processes, aiming to enhance the effectiveness, inclusivity, and transparency of parliamentary institutions.
• CSPOC, established in 1969 by then Speaker of the House of Commons of Canada, Lucien Lamoureux, serves as a platform for Speakers and Presiding Officers from Commonwealth parliaments to exchange best practices and strengthen parliamentary cooperation.
• The conference is held biennially, with Canada providing a secretariat to facilitate its activities.
• CSPOC operates independently without formal ties to the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association or the Commonwealth Secretariat.
• India has previously hosted CSPOC conferences in 1970-71, 1986, and 2010, reflecting its longstanding tradition of engaging in inter-parliamentary dialogues.

Benjamin Franklin Day is observed annually on January 17 to honor Benjamin Franklin, one of the most influential Founding Fathers of the United States.

• Born on January 17, 1706, in Boston, Franklin was a polymath excelling as an inventor, author, printer, politician, diplomat, musician, and postmaster.
• He invented the lightning rod, bifocal glasses, and the Franklin stove.
• Authored “Poor Richard’s Almanack,” an annual publication from 1732 to 1758.
• Founded the first subscription library in America in 1731 and contributed to establishing the University of Pennsylvania.

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto is set to be the Chief Guest at India’s 76th Republic Day celebrations on January 26, 2025.

• This visit coincides with the 75^th anniversary of diplomatic relations between India and Indonesia, underscoring the deep-rooted ties between the two nations.
• His selection as the Chief Guest reflects India’s “Act East” policy, emphasizing the importance of strengthening relations with Southeast Asian nations.
• In 1950, Indonesia’s first President, Sukarno, was the Chief Guest at India’s inaugural Republic Day celebrations, marking a historical continuity in bilateral relations.

US President-elect Donald Trump announced plans to rename the Gulf of Mexico to the “Gulf of America”, citing its “beautiful ring.”

• The Gulf of Mexico is a large ocean basin, bordered by the U.S., Mexico, and Cuba.
• It is connected to the Caribbean Sea through the Yucatán Channel and to the Atlantic Ocean through the Florida Straits.
• The Gulf has major oil reserves and serves as a crucial site for the oil and gas industry.
• It is home to diverse ecosystems, including coral reefs, estuaries, and wetlands.
• Key rivers draining into the Gulf include the Mississippi, Rio Grande, and Florida’s Apalachicola River.
• The region is prone to hurricanes, such as Hurricane Katrina in 2005, which caused significant damage.
• The Gulf’s rich biodiversity supports commercial fishing, including shrimp, oysters, and other marine life.

Recent wildfires in Southern California have brought into light the use of pink fire retardant as authorities deploy aerial resources to combat the flames.

• Pink fire retardant is used to slow or extinguish wildfires, primarily made of ammonium phosphate-based slurry.
• The most common brand in the U.S. is Phos-Chek.
• The pink color aids visibility for firefighters in identifying treated areas.
• It includes salts like ammonium polyphosphate, which remain effective longer than water.
• It is deployed from aircraft like planes and helicopters for effective coverage.