Recently, Vice President addressed the 25th National Conference of Chairpersons of SPSC.

• It is a constitutional body established under Articles 315 to 323 of Part XIV of the Indian Constitution, which also governs the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC).
• The State Public Service Commission (SPSC) conducts examinations for appointments to state services.
• Chairman and members are appointed by the Governor (Article 316).
• Term of office: 6 years or until 62 years of age, whichever is earlier.
• Members can be removed by the President for reasons like insolvency, paid employment outside office, infirmity, or misbehavior (after Supreme Court inquiry).
• Its expenses are charged on the Consolidated Fund of the State.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath inaugurated ‘Maa Ki Rasoi’ on January 10, 2025, at Swaroop Rani Nehru Hospital in Prayagraj.

• This community kitchen, managed by Nandi Sewa Sansthan, offers full meals for ₹9 to support economically weaker sections.
• The meal includes dal, four rotis, vegetables, rice, salad, and a dessert.
• ‘Maa Ki Rasoi’ aims to ensure food security for those in need, aligning with the government’s commitment to social welfare.

Recently,the National Board for Wildlife approved oil and gas exploration in the eco-sensitive zone of  the Hollongapar Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary.

• Hollongapar Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary is located in Jorhat district, Assam, India.
• Established in 1997, it was initially designated as a reserve forest in 1881.
• The sanctuary spans approximately 20.98 square kilometers.
• It is home to India’s only ape species, the western hoolock gibbon, with about 125 individuals.
• The sanctuary also hosts the Bengal slow loris, northeastern India’s only nocturnal primate.

Recently, China commenced full operation of the he world’s largest  300 MW Compressed Air Energy Storage (CAES) facility in Hubei Province t commenced full operation in China.

• Compressed Air Energy Storage (CAES) stores energy by compressing air into sealed locations, often underground caverns.
• During off-peak hours, electricity compresses air; during peak demand, the compressed air is released to generate electricity.
• Benefits include high storage capacity, long-duration energy storage, and environmental friendliness due to the absence of pollutants during energy generation.
• CAES systems can be located close to power plants or the electricity grid, reducing transmission losses and increasing efficiency.

India celebrates several harvest festivals, each reflecting regional traditions and agricultural practices. Here are some of the major ones:

• Lohri: Predominantly celebrated in Punjab, Lohri marks the end of winter and the arrival of the harvest season. It involves bonfires, singing, and dancing, symbolizing the warmth of the sun and the joy of the harvest. Celebrated mainly in Punjab, also observed in Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, and Delhi.
• Makar Sankranti: Observed across various parts of India, Makar Sankranti signifies the transition of the sun into the zodiac sign of Capricorn. It is celebrated with kite flying, bonfires, and feasting on sweets made of sesame and jaggery. Celebrated across North India, especially in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Rajasthan, and Madhya Pradesh, with notable celebrations in Gujarat and Maharashtra.
• Pongal: A four-day festival celebrated in Tamil Nadu, Pongal honors the Sun God and the harvest. The first day is dedicated to the Sun God, the second to the cattle, the third to the family, and the fourth to friends and relatives.
• Bhogali Bihu: Also known as Magh Bihu, this festival in Assam marks the end of the harvesting season. It is celebrated with feasting, bonfires, and community gatherings.

Boda Tyohar festival (locally kwown as Magho ko Tyohar), the largest annual celebration for the Hatti tribes of the Trans-Giri region in Himachal Pradesh has started.

• The Hatti tribe resides in the Trans-Giri region of Himachal Pradesh’s Sirmaur district and parts of Uttarakhand.
• They derive their name from ‘haat,’ meaning markets where they traditionally sold homegrown produce.
• The community is divided into two clans: one in Trans-Giri (Himachal Pradesh) and the other in Jaunsar Bawar (Uttarakhand).
• They are governed by a traditional council called ‘Khumbli,’ which oversees community matters.
• In 2023, the Hatti tribe was granted Scheduled Tribe status under the Constitution (Scheduled Tribe) Order (Second Amendment) Act, 2023.
• The Boda Tyohar, also known as Magho ko Tyohar, is their largest annual festival, celebrated with traditional fervor.

Recently, the Z morh tunnel is inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

• The Z-Morh Tunnel is a 6.5 km long bi-directional road tunnel in Jammu and Kashmir.
• It connects Gagangir with Sonamarg on the Srinagar-Leh highway.
• Situated at an altitude of 2,637 meters, it ensures year-round connectivity.
• Part of the Zoji-La Tunnel project, which connects Srinagar with Ladakh.

Indian Army Day is celebrated on January 15 every year.

• Aim : to honor the valiant soldiers of the Indian Army
• Marks the day in 1949when Lieutenant General K.M. Cariappa became the first Indian Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army.

Lahaul-Spiti residents celebrate Halda festival for luck, abundant harvest.

• Halda Festival is celebrated in January in the Lahaul-Spiti district, Himachal Pradesh.
• It is dedicated to Shiskar Apa, the Goddess of Wealth, for blessings of prosperity and a good harvest.
• Celebrations are prominent in the Pattan, Gahar, and Chandra valleys.
• Villagers craft torches called Halda from pencil cedar branches, symbolizing male family members.
• Torches are lit and gathered at a central place as part of the rituals.
• The Asur Dance is performed on the last day in Khangsar village, Chandra valley.
• The festival ends with rituals at the temple of Deity Nag Raj.

Future of Jobs Report 2025 has been released by the World Economic Forum (WEF).

• The World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report 2025 anticipates a net increase of 78 million jobs by 2030, with 170 million new jobs created and 92 million displaced.
• Technology-related roles, such as Big Data Specialists and Fintech Engineers, are projected to experience the fastest growth.
• Clerical and secretarial positions are expected to see the largest decline in absolute numbers.
• Workers may find that 40% of their current skill sets will become outdated or need transformation between 2025 and 2030.
• The report emphasizes the importance of reskilling and upskilling to adapt to changing job market demands.