Important Day
- Theme for International Day of Education (24 January 2020) - "Learning for people, planet, prosperity, and peace".
- National Girl Child Day - 24 January.
Defence
- New commander of Northern Command of Indian Army - Lt Gen Y. K. Joshi.
Economy
- This private bank announced the launch of 'PIONEER' Banking (wealth management platform) - Induslnd Bank.
- According to the UN’s ‘World Economic Situation and Prospects (WESP) 2020’ report, forecast India’s GDP growth rate for FY 2019-20 - 5.7%.
- The Reserve Bank of India raised the short-term investment limit for foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) in government and corporate bonds from 20 percent to - 30 percent.
Environment
- India has achieved the complete phase-out of this Hydrochlorofluorocarbon (HCFC), which is one of the most potent ozone-depleting chemicals after CFCs - HCFC-141 b.
International
- OECD’s plan to help solve digital tax problems has got support of - 137 countries.
- Mahatma Gandhi's bust will be set up at the International Maritime Organisation headquarters in - London.
- This international institution launched the first-ever public blockchain-based platform built to help businesses across industries respond to consumer demands for ethical and environmentally friendly products - World Economic Forum.
- This nation collaborated with the World Economic Forum to co-design and pilot policy principles and regulatory frameworks that maximise the societal benefits or mitigate risks from drones - Malaysia (with MDEC).
- India’s rank on Global Talent Competitive Index (GTCI) 2020 – 72nd.
- This Indian company has signed a MoU with Ghana’s National Petroleum Authority for execution of the Ghana’s National LPG Promotion Policy - Indian Oil.
- This international institution announced ‘Global Consortium for Digital Currency Governance’, the first global consortium focused on designing a framework for the governance of digital currencies, including stablecoins - World Economic Forum.
- First and only Indian manufacturing plant to be included in the WEF's Lighthouse Network - Tata Steel Kalinganagar.
- First position in the Corruption Perception Index (CPI) prepared by Transparency International - Denmark and New Zealand.
National
- This university has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR), Kalpakkam, for conducting joint research in the field of radioecology - Mangalore University.
- Winner of the 3rd Romain Rolland Prize for Translation at Jaipur Literature Festival 2020 - Hindi translation of French cartoon series "Asterix".
- India’s rank in the Corruption Perception Index (CPI) prepared by Transparency International - 80th.
- This institute will develop the National Data and Analytics Platform (NDAP) to make all government data accessible to stakeholders in a user-friendly manner - NITI Aayog.
- Mahanadi Coalfields Limited (MCL) plans to develop a heritage garden, named "Maa Samleshwari Gardens" at - Hirakud Dam, Sambalpur district, Odisha.
- ICCW National Bravery Awards 2019 has been given to - 22 children (10 girls and 12 boys).
- The Department of Biotechnology organized an International Summit on Women in STEM–“Visualizing the Future: New Skylines” on 23rd and 24th January in - New Delhi.
- Under the ‘Establishment of Chairs in the Universities’ initiative, the Ministry of Women and Child Development is going to set up - 10 Chairs (Administration - Devi Ahilyabai Holkar).
- Country’s first e-waste clinic - Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh.
State Current Affairs
- The Bahrain Economic Development Board (EDB) and this state government signed a pact to promote cooperation in AI, fintech and other emerging technologies - Karnataka.
- This state government launched the two-year Poshan Abhiyaan, a Central government scheme aimed at making India malnutrition free by 2022 – Gujarat (launched in Dahod district).
- This state government has granted administrative permission for the implementation of Intra State portability of ration cards - Tamil Nadu.
- First state in the country where the government has made a policy to lease agricultural land for 30 years – Uttarakhand.
General Knowledge
- Asia’s longest Dam - Hirakud Dam, Odisha (15 kilometers in length dam across the Mahanadi River).
- Ghana - Capital: Accra; Currency: Ghana cedi.
- Malaysia - Capital: Kuala Lumpur; Currency: Malaysian ringgit.
- Reserve Bank of India (RBI) - Founded: 1935 (01 April); Headquarters: Mumbai.
- Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) - Founded: 1948 (16 April); Reformed: 1961; Headquarters: Paris, France.
