Current Affairs Section
- India's first cable-stayed rail bridge, Anji Khad Bridge, has been constructed in the Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir.
- The engineering marvel connects Katra and Reasi.
- The bridge is a critical component of the ambitious Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) Project , which prime focus is on enhancing connectivity between the Kashmir Valley and the rest of India.
- The bridge has been constructed over the Anji River, a tributary of the Chenab River.
Category: National
- This marks a 113% increase from 13.75 GW in 2023.
- According to the Ministry of New & Renewable Energy data, the cumulative renewable energy capacity in India has now reached nearly 218 GW.
- The milestone assumes great importance as India targets 500 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2030.
- India needs to add an average of 50 GW of renewable energy capacity per annum over the next six years to achieve its target.
Category: National
- 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
- Neeraj has been honored by the respected US-based sports magazine Track and Field News.
- The recognition follows a season of remarkable consistency for Chopra, who secured a silver medal at the Paris 2024 Olympics. Competing in six events throughout the season, Chopra finished on top twice and runner-up in the remaining four.
Category: Sports
- Yash Chopra and Shyam Benegal will be honoured at the upcoming edition of the Jaipur International Film Festival (JIFF) 2025, set to be held in the Rajasthan capital.
- While the gala will bestow the Outstanding Lifetime Achievement Award on Chopra, it will also pay tribute to Benegal, who died late last year.
Category: Cinema
- Two Fast Patrol Vessels (FPVs) - Amulya and Akshay - indigenously designed and constructed by the Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL) for the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) were launched
- The first two FPVs of the same series - Adamya and Akshar – were launched in October 2024.
Category: Defence