Asia Current Affairs — All time
Daily news by your exam, state and topic — each with a short summary, key facts and MCQs.
Mon, 20 Jan 2025
24 companies selected in third round of PLI Scheme for White Goods with ₹3,516 crore investment
The Commerce and Industry Ministry announced on 20 January 2025 that 24 companies had been provisionally selected in the third round of the PLI Scheme for White Goods (ACs and LED lights), committing ₹3,516 crore.
3rd National Mining Ministers' Conference opens in Konark; Mining Tenement System and fifth critical mineral tranche launched
The 3rd National Mining Ministers' Conference opened at Konark, Odisha, on 20 January 2025, where the Mining Tenement System and the fifth tranche of critical mineral block auctions (15 blocks in eight states) were launched.
Scheme and web portal for PM's Awards for Excellence in Public Administration 2024 launched
The Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances launched the scheme and web portal for the Prime Minister's Awards for Excellence in Public Administration 2024 on 20 January 2025, with 16 awards in three categories.
Government issues guidelines to improve e-Office implementation in Central Secretariat
The Government issued guidelines on 20 January 2025 to improve e-Office implementation in the Central Secretariat, covering delayering orders, VPN reviews, the Knowledge Management System and e-Office analytics.
Foundation stone laid for CSIR-backed Model Resilient Village at Sil/Sunani in Himachal Pradesh
The foundation stone of a Model Resilient Village was laid on 20 January 2025 at Sil/Sunani in Bawasni Gram Panchayat, Baddi, Solan district, Himachal Pradesh, an area hit by a cloudburst-induced landslide in August 2023.
XXVII International Congress on Glass 2025 opens in Kolkata
The XXVII International Congress on Glass (ICG) 2025, organised by CSIR-CGCRI, was inaugurated on 20 January 2025 at the Biswa Bangla Convention Centre, Kolkata, by Science and Technology Minister Jitendra Singh.
Rabi crop sowing crosses 640 lakh hectares as on 20 January 2025
Rabi crops had been sown on 640 lakh hectares as on 20 January 2025, against 637.49 lakh hectares a year earlier, with wheat at 320 lakh hectares, the Agriculture Ministry reported.
Sun, 19 Jan 2025
India win both men's and women's titles at the inaugural Kho Kho World Cup
India won both the men's and women's titles at the inaugural Kho Kho World Cup on 19 January 2025 at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium, New Delhi, beating Nepal in both finals.
Gaza ceasefire takes effect; first hostages and detainees released and aid surges in
A ceasefire between Israel and Palestinian armed groups took effect in Gaza at 11:15 on 19 January 2025, mediated by Egypt, Qatar and the United States, with a first phase of 42 days.
Piyush Goyal and EU Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič hold first in-person High Level Dialogue in Brussels
Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal and European Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security Maroš Šefčovič held a High Level Dialogue in Brussels on 18–19 January 2025, agreeing to work towards a mutually beneficial India–EU FTA.
Viktor Axelsen and An Se-young win India Open 2025 singles titles
Viktor Axelsen and South Korea's An Se-young won the men's and women's singles titles at the India Open Super 750 badminton tournament in New Delhi on 19 January 2025.
EPFO removes employer routing for most online PF transfer claims
The EPFO announced on 19 January 2025 that online PF transfer claims on job change no longer need to be routed through the previous or current employer in most cases.
NDRF marks 20th Raising Day at Vijayawada; NIDM South Campus and NDRF 10th Battalion projects launched
The National Disaster Response Force marked its 20th Raising Day at Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh, on 19 January 2025, where Home Minister Amit Shah launched projects worth about ₹220 crore including the NIDM South Campus.
23rd Divya Kala Mela concludes at Akota Stadium, Vadodara
The Divya Kala Mela, the 23rd such fair for Divyang artisans and entrepreneurs, concluded at Akota Stadium, Vadodara, Gujarat, on 19 January 2025 after an 11-day run.
64th Central Geological Programming Board meeting in Bhubaneswar reviews GSI's 1,065 programmes for 2025-26
The 64th meeting of the Central Geological Programming Board was held in Bhubaneswar on 19 January 2025, where GSI placed about 1,065 scientific programmes for 2025-26, including 227 critical mineral projects.
J.P. Nadda inaugurates CIPET projects in Ahmedabad, Bhagalpur and Madurai
Union Chemicals and Fertilizers Minister J.P. Nadda inaugurated a Calibration Laboratory at CIPET Ahmedabad and CIPET projects at Bhagalpur and Madurai on 19 January 2025.
EPFO lets Aadhaar-validated members update profile details without documents
The EPFO announced on 19 January 2025 that members whose UAN is validated through Aadhaar can update details such as name, date of birth and gender themselves without uploading documents.
Sat, 18 Jan 2025
PM Modi distributes over 65 lakh SVAMITVA property cards; total reaches 2.25 crore
Prime Minister Narendra Modi distributed over 65 lakh property cards under the SVAMITVA scheme on 18 January 2025 via video conference, covering more than 50,000 villages in 10 states and 2 Union Territories.
Amit Shah orders Inter-Ministerial Team to probe deaths in Rajouri, Jammu and Kashmir
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on 18 January 2025 ordered an MHA-led Inter-Ministerial Team to find the causes of deaths in three incidents over six weeks in Jammu's Rajouri district.
NIXI launches Internet Governance Internship and Capacity Building Scheme
The National Internet Exchange of India (NIXI) announced on 18 January 2025 the launch of its Internet Governance Internship and Capacity Building Scheme, with a ₹20,000 monthly stipend.
India name 15-member squad for ICC Champions Trophy 2025; Shubman Gill vice-captain
India's 15-member squad for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 was announced on 18 January 2025, with Rohit Sharma as captain and Shubman Gill as vice-captain.
Capacity Building Commission completes Master Trainers' training for Rashtriya Karmayogi Jan Seva Programme Phase-1
The Capacity Building Commission concluded the Master Trainers' training for Phase-1 of the Rashtriya Karmayogi Large-Scale Jan Seva Programme in New Delhi on 18 January 2025, training 219 officials from 80 Ministries and Departments.
National Red Run 2.0 held at Miramar, Panaji for HIV awareness
The National Red Run 2.0, a 10-km run organised by NACO to raise HIV awareness, was held at Miramar, Panaji, Goa, on 18 January 2025 with around 150 runners.
Akashvani's Kumbhvani news bulletins go live on Mahakumbh public address system
Akashvani's Kumbhvani news bulletins began airing on the public address system in Mahakumbh Nagar, Prayagraj, on 18 January 2025, with the first bulletin at 8:30 am.
NCGG concludes leadership programme for senior civil servants of Kenya
The National Centre for Good Governance (NCGG) concluded a Special Capacity Building Programme on Leadership and National Transformation for 29 senior Kenyan civil servants in New Delhi on 18 January 2025.
Mines Ministry opens DMF Exhibition at Sun Temple, Konark
The Ministry of Mines and the Government of Odisha opened a District Mineral Foundation (DMF) Exhibition at the Sun Temple, Konark, on 18 January 2025, running until 21 January.
Eastern Naval Command holds maiden Veterans' Day Parade at RK Beach, Visakhapatnam
The Eastern Naval Command held its maiden Veterans' Day Parade at RK Beach, Visakhapatnam, on 18 January 2025 to mark the 9th Armed Forces Veterans Day.
Fri, 17 Jan 2025
Scindia launches Sanchar Saathi mobile app and National Broadband Mission 2.0
Union Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia launched the Sanchar Saathi mobile app and National Broadband Mission (NBM) 2.0 on 17 January 2025, and inaugurated Intra Circle Roaming at DBN-funded 4G sites.
Cabinet approves ₹11,440 crore revival plan for RINL (Visakhapatnam Steel Plant)
The Ministry of Steel announced on 17 January 2025 that the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs had approved a ₹11,440 crore revival plan for Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Ltd (RINL), which runs the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant.
President Murmu presents Sports and Adventure Awards 2024; Khel Ratna for Gukesh, Harmanpreet, Praveen Kumar and Manu Bhaker
President Droupadi Murmu presented the Sports and Adventure Awards 2024 at Rashtrapati Bhavan on 17 January 2025, with the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna going to Gukesh D., Harmanpreet Singh, Praveen Kumar and Manu Bhaker.