January 2025 Current Affairs: Key Developments in India Across Education, Defense, Space & More

India is witnessing major developments across education, defense, space, and more. The school enrollment rate dropped due to new data collection methods, raising concerns in the education sector. ISRO’s SpaDeX mission is set for launch, while the Indian Navy strengthens its fleet with the launch of INS Vagsheer and INS Surat.

In defense, India ranked 4th in the Global Firepower Index 2024, DRDO successfully tested the AKASH-NG missile, and India joined military exercises like CYCLONE (Egypt) and SADA TANSEEQ (Saudi Arabia). Meanwhile, China’s Brahmaputra dam project raises geopolitical concerns.

On the science front, IIT-Guwahati and Bose Institute developed an injectable hydrogel for cancer treatment, while ISFR 2023 highlights India’s afforestation efforts. Stay tuned for more updates on India’s progress.

January 2025 Current Affairs: Key Developments in India Across Education

• The school enrollment rate in India in 2023-24 was 24.8 crore students, which is a 6% drop from the previous year: Explanation the enrollment rate dropped due to new data collection methods implemented in 2022-23. The new system requires schools to provide detailed information for each student, including their name, address, and Aadhaar number. This may have removed some students who were enrolled in both a government and private school. Comparison to previous years the enrollment rate has been around 26 crore over the last four years. The drop in 2023-24 is steeper than pre-pandemic levels, with over 1 crore students lost since 2018-19. Impact the decline in enrollment is a “major challenge” for the education sector, and a senior official has called for urgent attention. The Economic Survey 2023-24 reported that over 30 crore students are enrolled in India’s education system, which shows progress in school, higher education, and skill development enrollments.
• The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is set to launch its year-end mission, “Space Docking Experiment” (SpaDeX), today from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) SHAR in Sriharikota.
• Recently, Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders launched the sixth Scorpene Submarine ‘ Vagsheer’ of Project -75.
• What is a Scorpene Class Submarine? The submarines in the Project-75 Scorpene Class are powered by diesel-electric propulsion systems. Scorpene is one of the most sophisticated submarines, capable of undertaking multifarious missions including anti-surface ship warfare, anti-submarine warfare, intelligence gathering, mine laying, and area surveillance. The Scorpene class is the Navy’s first modern conventional submarine series in almost two decades since INS Sindhushastra, procured from Russia in July 2000.
• Nitrates can be present in groundwater due to a number of human and natural factors, including: Fertilizers: The extensive use of fertilizers in agriculture to increase crop yield can lead to nitrate contamination. Septic systems: Poor management of septic systems can cause nitrates to enter groundwater. Animal waste: Manure on the land and animal excreta can contribute to nitrate contamination. Wastewater: Treated wastewater can contain nitrates and be used in groundwater recharge projects. Natural bacteria: Bacteria in soil can convert nitrogen into nitrate. Precipitation: Rain and irrigation water can carry nitrate down through the soil into groundwater.
• Researchers from IIT-Guwahati and the Bose Institute, Kolkata have developed an advanced injectable hydrogel for localized cancer treatment.
• The Pre-packaged Insolvency Resolution Process (PPIRP) has resulted in the full settlement of operational creditors’ claims in five cases.
• Draft National Policy Framework on Agricultural Marketing. Context: The Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare has recently released the draft National Policy Framework on Agricultural Marketing (NPFAM). Samyukt Kisan Morcha (umbrella organisation of farmers’ outfits) has raised concerns regarding the new draft Policy, labelling them worse than the three repealed farm laws.
• Slum Rehabilitation (ISSR) is a program that aims to provide housing to slum dwellers by using the land under slums with private participation. It is part of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban) – Housing for All mission. The program includes: Central government grant: The central government provides an average of Rs. 1 lakh per house. Flexibility: States and cities can use the grant for other slums being redeveloped. No land cost: The central government does not charge land cost. Additional FSI/FAR or TDR: States and cities can provide this to make projects financially viable. The construction period of projects under ISSR is between 12-36 months from the date of approval.
• Recently, the Union Education Minister released the Unified District Information System for Education (UDISE) Plus 2021-22 report on school education. The Ministry of Education also released the Performance Grading Index (PGI) for 2020-21.
• Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Shri Bhupender Yadav released the ‘India State of Forest Report 2023 (ISFR 2023) today at Forest Research Institute, Dehradun. The ISFR is brought out by the Forest Survey of India (FSI) on a biennial basis since 1987. FSI carries out in-depth assessment of the forest and tree resources of the country based on interpretation of Remote Sensing satellite data and field based National Forest Inventory (NFI), and the results are published in the ISFR. The India State of Forest Report 2023 is 18th such report in the series.
• Recently, the opposition party has described the proposed Rs 72,000-crore infrastructure upgrade at the Great Nicobar Island as a “grave threat” to the island’s indigenous inhabitants and fragile ecosystem, and demanded immediate suspension of all clearances and a thorough, impartial review of the proposed project, including by the concerned Parliamentary committees.
• INS Surat is a stealth guided missile destroyer of the Indian Navy: Features the INS Surat is the fourth and final ship of the Visakhapatnam class, which is part of Project 15B. It’s the first AI-enabled warship of the Indian Navy, and is equipped with advanced weapons and sensors. Armament the INS Surat has a variety of weapons, including: 16 Brahmos anti-ship cruise missiles 32 Barak 8ER surface-to-air missiles. Leonardo 76mm naval gun Twin 533mm torpedo launchers Anti-submarine rocket launchers Four AK-630M 30mm close-in weapon systems Two 12.7mm heavy machine guns Speed. The INS Surat can reach speeds of over 30 knots (56 km/h). Construction the INS Surat was built using the block construction methodology, which involves building the hull in two different locations and joining them together. Naming the INS Surat is named after the commercial capital of Gujarat, India. The city has a rich maritime history and vessels built there in the 16th and 18th centuries were known for their longevity. Delivery the INS Surat was delivered to the Indian Navy within 31 months, making it the fastest indigenous destroyer ever built.
• China has approved the construction of the world’s largest hydropower dam on the lower reaches of the Yarlung Zangbo River (Brahmaputra) on the Tibetan plateau. The ambitious project aims to produce 300 billion kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity annually, more than tripling the capacity of the Three Gorges Dam, the current world leader in hydropower. Course of the river Brahmaputra. The Brahmaputra, originating in Tibet as the Yarlung Tsangpo, flows through India’s Arunachal Pradesh and Assam before entering Bangladesh and emptying into the Bay of Bengal. As a perennial river, it sustains communities through irrigation, fisheries, and inland transport. While it enriches agriculture by depositing fertile alluvial soil, its lower course poses challenges with recurring, devastating floods in Assam and Bangladesh due to climatic and geographical conditions. DRDO’s 67th Foundation Day: Floral tributes paid to former President Dr APJ Abdul Kalam at his bust in DRDO Headquarters Several systems handed over & Acceptance of Necessity accorded for value of Rs 1.10 lakh crore in 2024: DRDO Chairman “73 projects worth Rs 275 crore sanctioned in 2024 engaging 266 researchers & 10 new academic institutes” “1,950 Transfer of Technologies on DRDO-developed systems handed over to Indian Industries; 256 Licensing Agreements for Transfer of Technology signed in 2024” manu bhaker , harmanpreet , d gukesh. Praveen Kumar to receive major dhyan chand khel ratna award known as the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award Major Dhyan Chand Sport Jewel Award) or formerly known as the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award, is the highest sporting honour of India It is awarded annually by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports Government of India .The Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puruskar (RKPP) is an award given by the Government of India to recognize organizations that promote and develop sports in the country. The award is given to: Corporate entities, Sports Control Boards, NGOs, Sports bodies at the State and National level. The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports introduced the RKPP in 2009. The purpose of the award is to encourage the involvement of these organizations in the promotion and development of sports. R. Vaishali Rameshbabu is an Indian chess grandmaster: Achievements Vaishali is India’s third female grandmaster and the 84th grandmaster overall. She is also the first woman to earn the title in a sibling duo with her brother, Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu. Playing style Vaishali is known for her aggressive and dynamic playing style. Some of her most played openings include the Indian Game, Sicilian Defense: Canal Attack, and Sicilian Defense: Open, Najdorf Variation. Clinches bronze at world blitz chess championship.Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah, launched the book Jammu Kashmir & Ladakh Through the Ages: A Visual Narrative of Continuities and Linkages*in New Delhi. The event, attended by Union Minister of Education Shri Dharmendra Pradhan and ICHR Chairman. India’s first coastal and wader birds census is being organized at Marine National Park and Marine Sanctuary located in Jamnagar (Gujarat). It will be organized from 3 to 5 January 2025. It is being done by the Gujarat Forest Department in collaboration with Bird Conservation Society Gujarat, an NGO. Wader birds: Wader birds are birds that are found around reservoirs, ponds, rivers, lakes, seas or other water bodies. They do most of their activities like feeding, nesting and living near water. Such as- crane, stork, shoebill, ibis, heron and flamingo. A diverse crowd, including locals, students and international visitors, thronged the Golconda Fort on Friday (January 3) to check out an impressive array of weaponry displayed at the ‘Know Your Army Mela 2025’. The event was organised under the auspices of Headquarters Telangana and Andhra Sub Area (HQ TASA) and coordinated by the Artillery Centre, Hyderabad Bhuvnesh kumar recently took charge of ceo of uidai ( organisation responsible to storing and processing all the biometric data and aadhar verification. The Centre on Monday assigned senior Indian Police Service (IPS) officer Vitul Kumar to officiate charge for the post of Director General of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF upon the retirement of the incumbent force chief Anish Dayal Singh on December 31, 2024.

• DRDO conducted a successful flight-test of the New Generation AKASH (AKASH-NG) missile from the Integrated Test Range (ITR), Chandipur off the coast of Odisha at 1030 hrs on January 12, 2024. The flight-test was conducted against a high-speed unmanned aerial target at very low altitude. During the flight-test, the target was successfully intercepted by the weapon system and destroyed. The flight-test was witnessed by senior officials from DRDO, IAF, Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL), and Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL). The AKASH-NG system is a state-of-the-art missile system capable of intercepting high-speed, agile aerial threats.
• An Indian Air Force An-32 aircraft (registration K-2743) had gone missing over the Bay of Bengal on 22 July 2016 during an op mission. 29 Personnel were on board this flight. Large scale Search and Rescue operations by aircraft and ships could not locate any missing personnel or the aircraft debris. The National Institute of Ocean Technology which functions under the aegis of the Ministry of Earth Sciences, had recently deployed an Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) with deep-sea exploration capability at the last known location of the missing An-32. This search was conducted at a depth of 3400 m using multiple payloads, including a multi-beam SONAR (Sound Navigation and Ranging), synthetic aperture SONAR, and high-resolution photography. The search images were scrutinized and found to be conforming with an An-32 aircraft. This discovery at the probable crash site, with no other recorded history of any other missing aircraft report in the same area, points to the debris as possibly belonging to the crashed IAF An-32 (K-2743).
• The country is celebrating the 76th Indian Army Day on January 15 with the main parade being held in Lucknow for the first time. Traditionally, the parade was conducted at Delhi Cantonment every year. The President, who is the Supreme Commander of the Armed forces, in her address to the Indian Army said, “I extend my warm felicitations to the Indian Army on the occasion of Army Day 2024.” Army Day is celebrated on this day to remember General (later Field Marshal) KM Cariappa taking over the command of the Indian Army from General Sir FRR Bucher, the last British Commander-in-Chief in 1949. He became the first Indian Commander-in-Chief of Independent India.
• The eighth Tri-services Armed Forces Veterans Day was celebrated on January 14. This day is celebrated every year in a bid to offer “respect and recognition of the services” and sacrifices rendered by the Veterans. Armed Forces Veterans’ Day is celebrated on 14th January every year to recognize the service rendered by the First Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Field Marshal KM Cariappa, who retired on this day in 1953. The day was first celebrated in 2016, and it is commemorated every year since by hosting such interactive events in the honor of the Ex-Servicemen.
• The maiden Bilateral Maritime Exercise between the Indian Navy (IN) and Royal Thai Navy (RTN) was conducted from 20 to 23 December 2023. Indigenously built Indian Naval ships Kulish and IN LCU 56 participated in the inaugural edition of the exercise. The RTN side was represented by His Thai Majesty’s Ship (HTMS) Prachuap Khiri Khan. The 36th edition of India-Thailand Coordinated Patrol (Indo-Thai CORPAT) was also conducted along with the maiden bilateral exercise. Maritime Patrol Aircraft from both navies participated in the Sea Phase of the exercise. The Indo-Thai Bilateral Exercise is being named as ‘Ex-Ayutthaya’, which literally translates to ‘The Invincible One’ or ‘Undefeatable,’ and symbolizes the significance of two of the oldest cities, Ayodhya in India and Ayutthaya in Thailand.
• The DRDO is continuing with its project to further develop the Tapas medium-altitude, long-endurance (MALE) drone in which one of the three services has shown interest to use them around the Andaman and Nicobar Islands for operations. The Tapas drones being developed by the Aeronautical Development Establishment Laboratory have not been able to fully meet the Joint Services Qualitative Requirements of flying at 30,000 feet for over 24 hours at a stretch and have been excluded from the category of mission mode projects. The Tactical Airborne Platform for Aerial Surveillance-Beyond Horizon-201 or TAPAS BH-201 is a medium-altitude long-endurance unmanned aerial vehicle being developed in India by the Aeronautical Development Establishment on the lines of General Atomics MQ1 predator.
• The United States continues to have the most powerful military in the world, followed by Russia and China, according to the Global Firepower rankings 2024. India has the fourth strongest military globally, according to the index which evaluated the strength of 145 countries. According to the ranking, Pakistan is at number 9, while Bhutan has the least powerful military in the world. Notably, South Korea overtook the UK and became the fifth most powerful country in the world in terms of military strength. GFP also analyzed the defense budgets of the 145 countries. The US spends the most money on its military with a defense budget of $831 billion. It’s followed by China ($227 billion), Russia ($107 billion), and India ($74 million).
• Parakram Diwas is celebrated to commemorate the 127th birth anniversary of freedom fighter Subhas Chandra Bose. Subhash Chandra Bose Jayanti, officially known as Parakram Diwas, is celebrated every year on January 23. People commemorate Bose Jayanti, also known as Parakram Diwas, in remembrance of Netaji’s courage as one of India’s greatest liberation fighters. This year it will also be celebrated on 23rd January 2024. It aims to pay tribute to Indian heroes, several of whom had made the ultimate sacrifice to protect the sovereignty and integrity of India. Subhas Chandra Bose was born on 23rd January 1897, in Cuttack, Orissa Division, Bengal Province, to Prabhavati Dutt Bose and Janakinath Bose.
• The Indian Army contingent comprising 25 personnel reached Egypt to take part in the 2nd edition of India-Egypt Joint Special Forces Exercise CYCLONE. The Exercise will be conducted at Anshas, Egypt, from 22nd January to 1st February 2024. The first edition of the exercise was conducted last year in India. The Indian contingent is being represented by troops from The Parachute Regiment (Special Forces), and the Egyptian contingent comprising 25 personnel is being represented by Egyptian Commando Squadron and Egyptian Airborne Platoon.
• On 23 Jan 24, the IAF conducted Exercise Desert Knight along with French Air and Space Force and UAE Air Force. While the French participation included the Rafale fighter aircraft and a Multi-Role Tanker Transport, the UAE Air Force fielded the F-16. These aircraft operated from the Al Dhafra airbase in the UAE. The IAF contingent comprised of Su-30 MKI, MiG-29, Jaguar, AWACS, C-130-J, and Air to Air Refueller aircraft. The exercise in Indian FIR was conducted over the Arabian Sea, with IAF aircraft operating from bases within India. The main focus of Exercise Desert Knight was on enhancing synergy and interoperability between the three Air Forces. The interactions during the exercise facilitated the exchange of operational knowledge, experiences, and best practices amongst the participants. Such exercises are indicative of the growing diplomatic and military interactions in the region, apart from showcasing the prowess of the IAF.
• The inaugural edition of joint military exercise ‘SADA TANSEEQ’ between India and Saudi Arabia will be held from January 29 to February 10 in Rajasthan, Army officials said. Taking to X, the Indian Army said, “JOINT MILITARY EXERCISE BETWEEN INDIA & SAUDI ARABIA. Exercise SadaTanseeq. The inaugural edition of Joint Military Exercise ‘SADA TANSEEQ’ between India and Saudi Arabia will be held from 29 Jan to 10 Feb 2024 in Rajasthan. “The exercise aims to enhance synergy, interoperability, and joint Manship by learning & sharing best practices between the Armies of both nations,” the post added.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) – Law & Policy Updates in India

1. What is the Pre-packaged Insolvency Resolution Process (PPIRP)?

PPIRP is a process introduced to streamline insolvency resolution for corporate debtors, particularly MSMEs. It allows a debtor to prepare a resolution plan in advance, which is then approved by creditors before submission to the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT). Recently, PPIRP has resulted in the full settlement of operational creditors’ claims in five cases.

2. What is the Draft National Policy Framework on Agricultural Marketing (NPFAM)?

The Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare has released a draft policy aimed at improving agricultural marketing mechanisms in India. However, the Samyukt Kisan Morcha has raised concerns, arguing that the framework may be worse than the three repealed farm laws.

3. What is the Slum Rehabilitation (ISSR) program?

ISSR is part of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban) – Housing for All mission. It focuses on rehabilitating slum dwellers by utilizing slum land with private participation. Key features include:

• A central government grant of ₹1 lakh per house.
• Flexibility for states and cities to use the grant for slum redevelopment.
• No land cost charged by the government.
• Provision of additional Floor Space Index (FSI) or Transferable Development Rights (TDR) to make projects financially viable.
• A construction timeline of 12-36 months from the approval date.

4. What is the Unified District Information System for Education (UDISE) Plus report?

The UDISE Plus report, released by the Ministry of Education, provides data on school education in India. It includes performance metrics such as enrollment rates, school infrastructure, and teacher availability.

5. What is the Performance Grading Index (PGI)?

PGI is a ranking system released by the Ministry of Education to assess the performance of different states and Union Territories in school education. It evaluates parameters such as access, equity, governance, and infrastructure.

6. What is the ‘India State of Forest Report (ISFR) 2023’?

The ISFR is a biennial report published by the Forest Survey of India (FSI) that assesses the forest and tree resources of the country. It uses satellite data and field surveys to provide insights into deforestation, afforestation, and environmental conservation efforts.

7. What are the concerns regarding the ₹72,000 crore infrastructure project in Great Nicobar?

The opposition has described the proposed project as a “grave threat” to the island’s indigenous inhabitants and fragile ecosystem. They have called for an immediate suspension of clearances and a thorough review by parliamentary committees.

8. What is Parakram Diwas?

Parakram Diwas is observed on January 23 to commemorate the birth anniversary of Subhas Chandra Bose. The day is meant to honor Netaji’s contributions to India’s freedom struggle.

9. What is the Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puruskar (RKPP)?

The RKPP is an award introduced in 2009 by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports to recognize organizations that promote and develop sports in India. Eligible entities include corporate firms, sports control boards, NGOs, and state/national-level sports bodies.

10. What is the significance of Indian Army Day?

Indian Army Day is celebrated on January 15 to mark the day in 1949 when General K.M. Cariappa took over as the first Indian Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army from General Sir F.R.R. Bucher.

11. What is Armed Forces Veterans’ Day?

Celebrated on January 14 every year, this day recognizes the service and sacrifices of armed forces veterans. It marks the retirement of Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa in 1953.

12. What is the role of UIDAI in Aadhaar verification?

The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) is responsible for storing and processing Aadhaar-related biometric data and verification. Recently, Bhuvnesh Kumar took charge as its CEO.

13. What is the function of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF)?

The CRPF is responsible for internal security operations in India. Recently, senior IPS officer Vitul Kumar was appointed as the Director General of CRPF, replacing Anish Dayal Singh.

14. What is the Global Firepower (GFP) Ranking, and where does India stand?

The Global Firepower ranking assesses the military strength of 145 countries. India is ranked as the fourth strongest military in the world, following the U.S., Russia, and China.

15. What is the Jammu Kashmir & Ladakh Through the Ages book?

The book, launched by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, provides a historical and visual narrative of Jammu, Kashmir, and Ladakh, highlighting their cultural and strategic importance.