Current Affairs Section
- Death anniversary of great scientist Vikram Sarabhai observed on 30 December
Category: Important Days
- The theme “AI and education: Preserving human agency in a world of automation”.
- The first International Day of Education was observed on January 24, 2019.
- Meanwhile, India celebrates its National Education Day celebrated on November 11 to mark the birth anniversary of India’s first Education Minister Maulana Abul Kalam Azad.
Category: Important Days
- This Year’s Theme “Nothing Like Voting, I Vote for Sure” is a continuation of last year’s theme emphasizing the importance of participation in the electoral process, and encouraging voters to take pride in exercising their franchise.
- The first copy of the ECI Coffee Table Book titled “India Votes 2024: A saga of democracy” will be presented to the Hon’ble President by Chief Election Commissioner Shri Rajiv Kumar
- A short clip of the upcoming docu-drama series “India Decides” produced by Warner Bros Discovery will also be released at the event.
- An ECI publication “Belief in the Ballot: Human stories shaping India’s 2024 elections” will also be presented to the Hon’ble President by the Commission
Category: Important Days
- National Prakram Diwas to be celebrated on 23 January on 128th birth anniversary of Subash Chandra Bose
Category: Important Days
- The day aims to raise awareness about the rights, education, and well-being of girls.
- The theme of National Girl Child Day 2025 is “Empowering Girls for a Bright Future.”
- National Girl Child Day is observed every year on January 24 to foster a positive environment that values and empowers the girl child.
Category: Important Days
- National Youth Day is observed in India every year on January 12 to honour the ideals of Swami Vivekananda who was born on January 12, 1863, in Kolkata.
- 12th of January 2025 marks the 162nd birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda, and is celebrated as National Youth Day.
- Literary Works: Wrote books like Raja Yoga, Jnana Yoga, and Karma Yoga.
- Death: Passed away on July 4, 1902.
- He preached a philosophy called “neo-Vedanta,” which provided an interpretation of Hinduism through a Western lens.
- Vivekananda believed in the harmony between spirituality and material progress.
- Swami Vivekananda gained global recognition for his remarkable speech at the World Parliament of Religions in Chicago in 1893.
- He introduced Hinduism to America and called for religious tolerance and an end to fanaticism at the Parliament.
- Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose referred to him as the “maker of modern India.”
Category: Important Days
- Upon the death of Gautama Buddha in 400 BC, Buddhism divided into two sects: Mahayana and Hinayana.
- The Mahayana sect, which means ‘Great Vehicle’ in Sanskrit, believed in the divinity of the Buddha. The sect encouraged idol worship in Buddhism.
- The Hinayana sect, meaning ‘Small Vehicle’ in Sanskrit, did not believe in the divinity of the Buddha. It stressed individual salvation through self-discipline and mediation.
- Buddhists all over the world will celebrate Mahayana New Year on January 14 of this year. Various Buddhist philosophies and ideologies are referred to as Mahayana.
- One of Buddhism's two main branches, Mahayana is primarily practiced in Northeast Asia.
- Tibet, Taiwan, Mongolia, China, Japan, Korea, and Taiwan. Mahayana Buddhism is practiced according to customs and traditions unique to each region.
Category: Important Days