• Observed annually on 25^th January to encourage young votersto participate in the electoral process and strengthen democracy.
• Celebrated annually since 2011to mark the foundation day of the Election Commission of India (ECI)(established on 25 January 1950).
• The day often includes initiatives like distributing voter ID cardsto newly registered voters.

ISRO successfully demonstrated the restart capability of the Vikas liquid engine on January 17, 2025, at the Propulsion Complex, Mahendragiri.

• This is a step toward developing reusable launch vehicle technologies to reduce space mission costs.
• The Vikas engine is designed by ISRO’s Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC).
• It powers the PSLV (second stage), GSLV Mark I/II (boosters and second stage), and LVM3/GSLV Mk-III (core stage).
• It uses UDMH (fuel) and N₂O₄ (oxidizer) as a hypergolic combination.
• PSLV is India’s first launch vehicle with liquid stages and is a four-stage vehicle with multi-orbit capability.
• Restart capability enables precise satellite placement and stage recovery, aligning with ISRO’s goals for cost-effective missions.

The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) celebrated its 20th Raising Day on January 19, 2025.

• Established in 2006 under the Disaster Management Act, 2005, the NDRF specializes in responding to natural and man-made disasters.
• The NDRF operates under the general superintendence, direction, and control of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA).
• Its primary function is to conduct rescue and relief operations during calamities such as landslides and floods.
• The NDRF comprises 16 battalions drawn from Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), including the Border Security Force (BSF), Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), and Assam Rifles.

Nigeria was admitted as a partner country to the BRICS bloc, joining Belarus, Bolivia, Cuba, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Thailand, Uganda, and Uzbekistan.

• BRICS, established in 2009, originally comprised Brazil, Russia, India, and China, with South Africa joining in 2010.
• In 2024, BRICS expanded to include Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates as full members.
• The three pillars of BRICS cooperation are:

1. Political and Security
2. Economic and Financial
3. Cultural and People-to-People Exchanges

• BRICS nations represent approximately 40% of the global population and an estimated 37.3% of global GDP.

India has hosted the BRICS Summit three times: in 2012 (4th Summit), 2016 (8th Summit), and 2021 (13th Summit).

China has completed the Tianshan Shengli Tunnel, the world’s longest expressway tunnel, spanning 22.13 kilometers.

• Construction began in April 2020 and was completed in December 2024.
• The tunnel is part of the Urumqi-Yuli Expressway, connecting Urumqi in northern Xinjiang to Yuli County in the south.
• Once operational, it will reduce travel time through the Tianshan Mountains from approximately three hours to about 20 minutes.

On January 20, 2025, President Donald Trump signed an executive order for the U.S. withdrawal from the WHO and suspended all foreign aid for 90 days.

• The U.S. cited mishandling of the COVID-19 pandemic, lack of independence, and financial disparities as reasons for leaving the WHO.
• The U.S. contributed around $1.3 billion to the WHO from 2020 to 2023, accounting for 15% of its funding.
• The withdrawal requires a 12-month notice period and could reduce U.S. influence in global health policies.
• The 90-day suspension of foreign aid aims to reassess its alignment with U.S. foreign policy objectives.
• WHO, established in 1948, is a specialized UN agency responsible for international public health.
• Its headquarters is located in Geneva, Switzerland.

The 2025 Chilika Lake Bird Census recorded 1,127,228 birds from 196 species, including 1,087,226 migratory birds from 109 species and 40,002 resident birds from 87 species.

• There was a slight decline in the number of visiting birds compared to previous years, but the variety of species increased.
• Experts attribute the decline to factors like climate change and changing water levels.
• Chilika Lake, Asia’s largest brackish water lagoon, spans 1,165 square kilometers and serves as a crucial wintering ground for migratory birds.
• Located on the eastern coast of India, it spans across the Khurda, Ganjam, and Gajapati districts in Odisha.
• The lake is a hotspot for biodiversity, home to over 200 species of birds, including migratory species.
• It is a critical wintering ground for birds migrating along the East Asia-Australasia Flyway.
• The lake was designated a Ramsar Wetland of International Importance in 1981.

Observed annually on 24 January to promote inclusive, equitable, and quality education for all.

• Established by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA)in 2018.
• Focuses on the role of education in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4 (Quality Education).
• Encourages transformative actions to address global education challenges like accessibility and inequality.

Celebrated annually on 24 January to raise awareness about the rights and issues of girl children in India.

• Aims to address gender-based inequalities and promote gender equality.
• Focuses on improving education, nutrition, legal rights, healthcare, and safetyfor girls.
• Highlights the importance of eliminating practices like female infanticide, child marriage, and gender discrimination.
• Initiated by the Ministry of Women and Child Developmentin 2008.

Recently, President Donald Trump initiated the U.S. withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement, marking a significant shift in U.S. climate policy.

• The Paris Climate Agreement, adopted in 2015, is a global treaty aimed at limiting global warming to below 2°C, with efforts to limit it to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.
• The pact calls for countries to set their own climate targets, known as Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), and to update them every five years.
• Developed countries are required to provide financial support to developing nations for climate mitigation and adaptation.
• The agreement is legally binding on all participating countries, although the emission reduction targets are not legally enforced.