Vitul Kumar has been appointed as the acting Director General of the CRPF after the retirement of Anish Dayal Singh.

• He is a 1993 batch IPS officer from Uttar Pradesh.
• Born on August 3, 1968, in Bhatinda, Punjab.
• He has served in various leadership roles within the CRPF, including Deputy Inspector General (DIG), Inspector General (IG), and Additional Director General (ADG).

Indian Army installs Shivaji statue on the banks of Pangong Lake.

• Pangong Lake, also known as Pangong Tso, is a high-altitude saltwater lake situated at approximately 4,350 meters (14,270 feet) above sea level in eastern Ladakh.
• The lake extends for about 134 kilometers (83 miles), with one-third of its length in India and the remaining two-thirds in China.
• The lake’s name is derived from the Tibetan word “Pangong Tso,” which translates to “high grassland lake,” reflecting its geographical setting amidst the high-altitude plains of the region.
• The area around Pangong Lake has been a point of strategic significance and occasional tension between India and China, with both countries maintaining a military presence in the region.

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has launched the Space Docking Experiment (SpaDeX) mission, marking India’s inaugural attempt at in-orbit satellite docking.

• The mission involves two small spacecraft, the Chaser (SDX01) and the Target (SDX02), each weighing 220 kg, placed in a 470 km circular orbit with a 55° inclination.
• It aims to demonstrate autonomous satellite docking, electric power transfer between docked spacecraft, and control of combined spacecraft after docking.
• Key technologies developed include an inter-satellite communication link, GNSS-based relative orbit determination, docking mechanisms, and autonomous rendezvous strategies.
• The mission marks India’s entry into advanced space capabilities, essential for satellite servicing, space station operations, and human spaceflight missions.

The Indian government has announced the recipients of the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award 2024.

• Manu Bhaker (shooting), Harmanpreet Singh (hockey), Praveen Kumar (para-athletics), and D Gukesh (chess) have been honored for their exceptional achievements.
• Indian men’s hockey team captain Harmanpreet Singh and Paralympian Praveen Kumar will also receive the Khel Ratna Award from the President of India,
• 32 athletes will receive the Arjuna Award, and Dhronacharya Award for three coaches.
• National Sports Awards are given every year to recognize and reward excellence in sports.
• ‘Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award’ is given for the spectacular and most outstanding performance in the field of sports by a sportsperson over the period of the previous four years.
• ‘Arjuna Award for outstanding performance in Sports and Games’ is given for good performance over a period of the previous four years and for showing qualities of leadership, sportsmanship and a sense of discipline.
• Arjuna Award (Lifetime) is given to honour and motivate those sportspersons who have contributed to sports by their performance and continue to contribute to promotion of sports even after their retirement from active sporting career.
• ‘Dronacharya Award for outstanding coaches in Sports and Games’ is given to coaches for doing outstanding and meritorious work on a consistent basis and for enabling sportspersons to excel in International events.
• The overall top performing university in Khelo India University Games is given the Maulana Abul Kalam Azad (MAKA) Trophy.

Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award

Arjuna Award

Arjuna Awards (Lifetime)

Dronacharya Award for outstanding coaches in Sports and Games 2024

1. Regular Category:

1. Lifetime Category:

1. Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puraskar

1. Maulana Abul Kalam Azad (MAKA) Trophy 2024: 

India’s first glass bridge over the sea, inaugurated in Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu, connects the Vivekananda Rock Memorial and the 133-foot Thiruvalluvar Statue.

• The bridge is 77 meters long and 10 meters wide, designed as a bowstring arch to withstand the saline sea breeze and high humidity.
• Prior to the bridge’s construction, visitors traveled between the two monuments by ferry; the bridge now allows for quicker pedestrian access.
• The inauguration coincided with the silver jubilee celebrations of the Thiruvalluvar Statue, unveiled on January 1, 2000. 

The Mahabharata Vatika, established by the Uttarakhand Forest Department in Haldwani, spans one acre and showcases 37 plant species mentioned in the Mahabharata.

• Plants include Khair (Acacia catechu), Kovidar (Bauhinia variegata), Bargad (Ficus benghalensis), Peepal (Ficus religiosa), Dhak (Butea monosperma), Harsringar (Nyctanthes arbor-tristis), Baheda (Terminalia bellirica), Aam (Mangifera indica), and Kala Sirs (Albizia lebbeck).
• The initiative highlights the ecological wisdom in ancient Indian texts and was guided by research led by Chief Conservator of Forests Sanjeev Chaturvedi.
• Along with Ramayana Vatika, this garden serves as an educational and cultural project connecting biodiversity with heritage.

The ‘Pujari Granthi Samman’ scheme, launched by the Delhi Government, provides a monthly financial grant of ₹18,000 to priests and granthis of temples and Gurudwaras.

• Announced by Arvind Kejriwal on December 30, 2024, with registrations starting on December 31, 2024.
• The first registration was conducted at the Marghat Wale Baba Temple near Kashmere Gate.
• The initiative aims to support religious leaders in Delhi and ensure their economic stability.

India’s Ministry of Defence has designated 2025 as the “Year of Reforms,” focusing on modernizing the armed forces and enhancing defense capabilities.

Key aspects of this initiative include:

• Integrated Theatre Commands (ITCs):The establishment of ITCs aims to bolster synergy among the Army, Navy, and Air Force, enabling joint operations and a unified command structure.
• Technological Advancements:Emphasis on adopting advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, hypersonics, and robotics to transform the military into a technologically advanced, combat-ready force.
• Defense Procurement Reforms:Streamlining defense acquisition procedures to make them more time-sensitive and efficient, facilitating quicker induction of modern equipment and systems.
• Role of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO):DRDO is expected to play a crucial role in achieving the objectives set for 2025, contributing significantly to the modernization efforts.

Global Defense Export Leader: The reforms aim to position India as a global leader in defense exports, reducing reliance on imports and boosting indigenous production capabilities.

Observed annually on January 4th, commemorates the birth of Louis Braille, the inventor of the braille system.

• Established by the United Nations General Assembly in 2018.
• The day has been celebrated since 2019 to raise awareness about the importance of braille as a means of communication for blind and visually impaired individuals.

Current Context : Two Guler miniature paintings, exemplifying the Kangra style, achieved a record ₹31 crore at a Mumbai auction.

• Nainsukh’s Masterpiece (circa 1750): Sold for ₹15 crore, this painting depicts Raja Balwant Dev hosting a musical soiré
• Anonymous Descendant’s Work (circa 1775): Fetched ₹16 crore, illustrating a verse by 12th-century Sanskrit poet Jayadeva, showing Lord Krishna dancing with gopis in a lush Vrindavan grove.

About Kangra Miniature Paintings

• Flourished in the mid-18th century under Rajput patronage in Himachal Pradesh.
• Originated in Guler; gained prominence in Kangra under Maharaja Sansar Chand’s rule.

Key themes: Radha-Krishna love stories, Hindu mythology, nature, and seasonal landscapes.