INTERPOL launched its first Silver Notice to trace and recover criminal assets, strengthening global efforts against transnational organized crime.

• The Silver Notice is part of a pilot phase involving 52 countries, including India.
• It aids in locating and identifying laundered assets like properties, vehicles, financial accounts, and businesses connected to criminal activities such as fraud, corruption, drug trafficking, and environmental crimes.
• INTERPOL Notices are international alerts for cooperation, with 8 types, including Silver, used for sharing critical crime-related information.
• India joined INTERPOL in 1949, with the CBI serving as the National Central Bureau for the country.
• Silver Notice enhances the ability of law enforcement agencies to track and recover assets across borders.
• INTERPOL, or the International Criminal Police Organization, is an intergovernmental organization that helps police forces work together to combat international crime.

Mumbai-based Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited handed over the sixth Scorpene submarine, Vaghsheer, to the Indian Navy.

• INS Vagsheer is the sixth and final submarine of the Kalvari-class (Scorpene-class) under India’s Project 75.
• The submarine is named after the sandfish, a predatory fish found in the Indian Ocean.
• Vagsheer is a diesel-electric attack submarine based on the Scorpène-class design by French naval defense group Naval Group.
• The Kalvari-class submarines are equipped with advanced stealth features, including low acoustic signatures, and are capable of launching precision-guided weapons.
• The other submarines in this class are INS Kalvari, INS Khanderi, INS Karanj, INS Vela, and INS Vagir.
• Project 75 involves the indigenous construction of six Scorpene-class submarines, with technology transfer from France, aimed at enhancing India’s underwater warfare capabilities.

These submarines are expected to be equipped with an indigenously developed Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) system, allowing them to remain submerged for longer durations, thereby increasing their stealth and operational range.

The National River Traffic and Navigation System (NRT&NS) was launched during the 2nd meeting of the Inland Waterways Development Council (IWDC).

• NRT&NS aims to enhance the safety and efficiency of inland waterway transport by leveraging real-time data and technology for optimized navigation on India’s National Waterways.
• Key features of NRT&NS include real-time monitoring using GPS and GIS for safe vessel navigation, centralized traffic control centers for efficient operations, and digital platforms for route planning, cargo tracking, and alerts.
• The system is being deployed across India’s National Waterways, including NW-1 (River Ganga) and NW-2 (River Brahmaputra). 
• The Inland Waterways Development Council (IWDC), established in 2023, serves as an apex platform for policy deliberation to promote inland waterways in India.
• India has declared 111 waterways as National Waterways (NWs) under the National Waterways Act, 2016, with significant ones being NW-1 (Haldia – Prayagraj on Ganga-Bhagirathi-Hooghly River System) and NW-2 (Dhubri – Sadiya on River Brahmaputra). 
• The Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), established through the IWAI Act, 1985, is responsible for the regulation and development of NWs.
• India possesses approximately 14,500 km of navigable waterways, including rivers, canals, backwaters, and creeks, offering significant potential for inland water transport.

India’s poverty rate fell below 5% in 2024, with extreme poverty nearly eradicated, according to an SBI Research report. 

• Rural poverty decreased to 4.86% in FY24 from 7.2% in FY23 and 25.7% in FY12.
• Urban poverty dropped to 4.09% from 4.6% in FY23 and 13.7% in FY12.
• The decline is attributed to higher consumption growth among the bottom 5% of the population, leading to a shift in the poverty line.
• The poverty line represents the minimum expenditure required to purchase a basket of goods and services necessary to satisfy basic human needs.
• Individuals with income levels below these thresholds are classified as poor.

Poverty Estimation in India (Major Committees):

• Lakdawala Committee (1993):Recommended calculating poverty based on consumption expenditure related to calorie intake.
• Tendulkar Committee (2009):Shifted away from calorie-based poverty lines and introduced a uniform all-India urban Poverty Line Basket.
• Rangarajan Committee (2014):Reinstated separate rural and urban poverty lines and state-specific estimates.

National Startup Day is celebrated on January 16 annually in India to honor the role of startups in economic growth and innovation.

• Announced by PM Modi in 2022, recognizing startups as the backbone of New India.
• The day promotes entrepreneurship, innovation, job creation, and economic development.
• Startup India initiative, launched in 2016, supports funding, partnerships, and simplified regulations.

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.