1 Indian short film Anuja nominated for Oscars 2025
Indian short film Anuja has achieved a significant feat by getting nominated in the Best Short Film – Live Action category at the Oscars 2025. Anuja is directed by Adam J. Graves and Suchitra Mattai . Anuja is the story of a nine-year-old girl who, along with her sister Palak, faces life-changing opportunities. It is a film depicting the struggle of girls around the world.
2 A total of 26 tableaux will be seen during the Republic Day parade this time
A total of 26 tableaux from various states, union territories and central ministries have been prepared during the 76th Republic Day parade, showing the diversity and cultural inclusiveness of the country. This time the theme of the tableaux is ‘ Golden India: Heritage and Development ‘. The parade will include tableaux with unique themes from 16 states and union territories as well as 10 ministries and departments. The Ministry of Defense said that these tableaux will showcase India’s diverse capabilities. This year, the special attraction of the parade is that a tableau with the theme of Strong and Safe India of the three armies will participate in this parade. In the parade, the Meteorological Department will also take out its tableau for the first time.
3 Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) selected for Subhash Chandra Bose Disaster Management Award-2025
Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) has been selected for the Subhas Chandra Bose Disaster Management Award-2025 in the Institutional category for outstanding work in disaster management . The Government of India led by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has instituted an annual award called Subhas Chandra Bose Disaster Management Award to recognize and honour the invaluable contribution and selfless service rendered by individuals and organisations in the field of disaster management. The award is announced every year on 23 January on the birth anniversary of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose . The award carries a cash prize of Rs 51 lakh and a certificate for the institution and Rs 5 lakh and a certificate for the individual . Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) was established in 1999 in Hyderabad, Telangana . INCOIS is an integral part of India’s disaster management strategy, capable of providing early warning for ocean-related hazards.
4 Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology released the report ‘Estimating and Measuring India’s Digital Economy’
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology has released a comprehensive report titled ‘Estimating and Measuring India’s Digital Economy ‘. It can help in aligning resources and adopting appropriate development strategies. India’s digital economy is estimated to account for 11.74% of national income in 2022-23 . This means that the digital economy will account for about Rs 31.64.94 lakh crore (about US$ 402 billion) of GDP in 2022-23. Digital-enabled industries, which include information and communication-related services, telecommunications (traditionally called the ICT sector), and manufacturing of electronic components, computers, and communication equipment, are the largest contributors, accounting for 7.83% of GVA. Based on the report’s estimates, the growth rate of India’s digital economy is expected to be almost twice that of the overall economy, contributing about one-fifth of the national income by 2030 . In the short term, the highest growth is projected to come from the growth of digital intermediaries and platforms, followed by higher digital penetration and digitisation of the rest of the economy. In 2022-23, the digital economy was expected to account for 14.67 million workers, representing 2.55% of India’s projected workforce.
5 Republic Day: BSF started “OPS Alert” exercise on India-Bangladesh border
To strengthen security on the special occasion of Republic Day , the Border Security Force (BSF) has started a 10-day ” OPS Alert ” campaign on the India-Bangladesh border . This exercise will run from January 22 to January 31, 2025. During this time, the BSF will keep patrolling and vigilance strict on the border and will be deployed to deal with any situation on the border. The BSF has launched this campaign in all its posts and surveillance areas along the 4,096 km long India-Bangladesh border. Additional Director General (ADG) Ravi Gandhi, who visited the South Bengal Frontier, reviewed the security preparations and instructed the officers to be especially vigilant on the river banks and unfenced areas. In this campaign, along with security exercises, dialogue programs will also be organized with the people living near the border.
6 India ranked fourth in Global Firepower Index 2025
According to the Global Firepower Index 2025, India has been ranked as the fourth most powerful military in the world after the United States, Russia and China . Bhutan has been ranked at the bottom of the index at 145th. There is no change in the ranking of the top four countries in the world compared to the 2024 Global Firepower Index. Pakistan, which was ranked 9th in 2024, has moved to 12th place in the 2025 ranking . The Global Firepower Index has been released every year since 2006 by the website globalfirepower.com . The Global Firepower Index compares the military strength of 145 countries based on their capabilities to wage war on land, sea and air.
7 Gay marriage legalized in Thailand
Homosexual marriage became legal in the East Asian country Thailand from January 23. In 2001, the Netherlands became the first country to allow homosexual marriage . After this, more than 30 countries have recognized this marriage. However, same-sex marriage is illegal in India. In India, there is the Hindu Marriage Act-1955 for Hindus, Jains, Buddhists and Sikhs. For Christians, there is the Christian Marriage Act-1872 and Muslims marry under their religious law, Muslim Personal Law. According to all these laws, marriage can take place only between a man and a woman.
8 Sean Curran becomes director of the US Secret Service
US President Donald Trump has chosen ‘ Sean Karan ‘ as the director of the Secret Service on January 22. Sean Karan was leading the security team during the deadly attack on Trump in Pennsylvania last year. Sean Karan, a resident of New York, started his career as a special agent in the Newark field office of the Secret Service. He has also worked with former President Barack Obama in the Special Department. However, Karan has not worked in any headquarters of the Secret Service. He is being appointed directly from an agent to the director.
9 World Data Lab: India will account for 16% of global consumption by 2050
According to a recent report published by World Data Lab , India is projected to have a 16% share in global consumption on a purchasing power parity basis by 2050. In 2050 , India is projected to overtake North America in global consumption share . It is estimated that North America will have a 17% share in global consumption in 2050. A report titled “Dependency and Population Reduction: Facing the Consequences of the New Demographic Reality” was recently released by World Data Lab. Purchasing power parity refers to the rate of currency conversion that equalizes the purchasing power of different currencies by eliminating price differences between countries due to different inflation rates. According to the World Data Lab report, India’s share in global consumption was 4% in 1997 which later increased to 9 percent in 2023 and is expected to increase to 16% in 2050.
10 Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto arrives in New Delhi to attend 76th Republic Day celebrations
Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has arrived in New Delhi to attend the 76th Republic Day celebrations . President Prabowo will be the chief guest at this year’s Republic Day celebrations . Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Pabitra Margherita welcomed him at the airport. During his four-day visit, President Prabowo Subianto will meet President Draupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi . He will also hold a meeting with External Affairs Minister Dr. S Jaishankar. India and Indonesia have deep and friendly relations. As a comprehensive strategic partner, Indonesia is an important pillar in India’s Act East policy and the Indo-Pacific region.
11 Khelo India Winter Games 2025 started
Khelo India Winter Games 2025 started in Ladakh from 23 January . 19 teams from states, union territories will compete in two sports – ice hockey and ice skating for 5 days. This year Khelo India Winter Games 2025 will be organized in 2 parts. The first part is being held in Ladakh , while the second part will be held in Jammu and Kashmir (which includes sports like skiing) from 22-25 February. Himachal Pradesh has the largest contingent of 78 athletes and support staff. At the same time, 62 from Haryana, 52 from Ladakh and 48 from Maharashtra will compete in the Ladakh edition. Ladakh will host the Winter Games for the second time. This is the 5th edition of the Winter Games.
12 Jai Sabarwal got second rank in World Jumping Challenge
India’s young rider Jai Singh Sabarwal has secured second rank in the B category of the World Jumping Challenge . Russia’s Ella Vita Kastelik (0.12 points) finished first. At the same time, Ecuador’s Juan Francisco (2.71 points) finished third. 183 riders from 27 countries participated in this competition. 15-year-old Jai has won 23 medals in different tournaments held last year in 2024. These include 14 gold, 5 silver and 4 bronze medals. Jai, a resident of Mumbai, has won 35 to 40 medals in big tournaments in just 4 years. He started participating in competitions in the year 2021.
13 Prakram Day
Every year on 23 January, Parakram Diwas is celebrated on the occasion of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose’s birth anniversary . The celebration of this Parakram Diwas started from Netaji’s 125th birth anniversary. On 23 January, 2025, Netaji’s 128th birth anniversary is being celebrated as Parakram Diwas. Subhash Chandra Bose was born on 23 January 1897 in Cuttack, Odisha . His father Jankinath Bose was a successful lawyer, while his mother’s name was Prabhavati. Since childhood, Subhash Chandra Bose had a strong sense of patriotism in his mind. Netaji’s major contribution was seen when he formed the Azad Hind Fauj with the cooperation of Japan and led the rebellion against British rule. His slogans, such as ” Jai Hind ” and ” You give me blood, I will give you freedom “, still inspire every Indian.