1 The world’s largest Mahamrityunjay Yantra was installed in Maha Kumbh
The world’s largest and most magnificent Mahamrityunjay Yantra has been installed in Prayagraj Mahakumbh . This Mahamrityunjay Yantra is 52 feet long, 52 feet wide and 52 feet high . Through this Mahamrityunjay Yantra, wishes are being made for the safe and successful completion of Mahakumbh, blessings of Lord Bholenath on the millions of devotees coming here and for their good health and long life. Along with the installation of the Yantra, Mahamrityunjay Yagya is being performed here round the clock. Thousands of devotees are coming here daily to offer sacrifices in the Yagya and to have darshan of Mahamrityunjay Yantra.
2 First astronomical observatory of eastern India inaugurated in Bengal
East India’s first and the country’s sixth astronomical observatory under the Department of Science & Technology, Ministry of Science & Technology, Union was inaugurated at Panchet Hill in Garpanchkot area of Purulia district of West Bengal . It is the sixth such observatory in India after Ladakh, Nainital (Uttarakhand), Mount Abu (Rajasthan), Gurbani Hills in Pune and Kavalur in Tamil Nadu. The observatory set up at Garpanchkot Hills is named after the renowned scientist Satyendra Nath Bose . The observatory has been set up by the Kolkata-based Satyendra Nath Bose National Centre for Basic Sciences . Satyendra Nath Bose National Centre for Basic Sciences has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Sidhu Kanu Birsa University, Purulia to run the observatory and share resources. Satyendra Nath Bose National Centre for Basic Sciences was established in 1986 by the Department of Science & Technology, Government of India. It is a leading scientific research and development institution in the field of basic sciences in the country.
3 India test fired anti-drone micro missile system Bhargavastra
The indigenously developed micro missile system Bhargavastra was successfully tested at Gopalpur Seaward Firing Range on January 12 and 13. The Indian Army’s Air Defence and Guided Missile School and Centre is located in Gopalpur, Odisha . The micro missile system has been developed to counter the threat of swarm drone attack . The successful tests were conducted in the presence of senior Army officials. However, Bhargavastra has not been inducted into the Indian Army yet as the system has to undergo further trials and the Government of India will take a final decision on whether to induct it or not after the system is approved by the Army. Bhargavastra has been developed by Economic Explosives Limited (EEL), a subsidiary of Nagpur-based Solar Group.
4 Maha Kumbh 2025: ‘One Plate, One Bag’ campaign launched
With an aim to make Maha Kumbh 2025 eco-friendly , the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) has launched the “ One Plate, One Bag ” campaign. The aim of this initiative is to make this world’s largest religious event plastic-free. Under the campaign , cloth bags and steel plates and glasses are being distributed, which will be used as an alternative to plastic. On the occasion of Makar Sankranti and the first ‘Amrit Snan’ (January 14) of Maha Kumbh, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath greeted the devotees and appealed to adopt eco-friendly practices.
5 Government launches app to promote battlefield tourism
In a significant initiative to connect citizens with the gallant history of India’s armed forces , the Government has launched the “ Bharat Rannbhoomi Darshan ” app and website in conjunction with Army Day celebrations in Pune, Maharashtra on January 15, 2025. Jointly developed by the Ministries of Defence, Tourism and Indian Army, the app allows citizens to visit major battlefield locations, including the wars of 1962, 1971 and 1999, and important conflict zones such as Siachen Base Camp and Galwan Valley . The effort aims to transform border areas into tourist hubs, giving citizens an opportunity to connect more closely with India’s military history and the sacrifices of its soldiers.
6 NPCI partners with Magnati to expand UPI adoption in UAE
NPCI International Payments Limited (NIPL) , the international arm of India’s National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) , has partnered with UAE- based fintech company Magnati . The partnership aims to enable Unified Payments Interface (UPI) transactions in the UAE for Indian travellers. The collaboration will integrate UPI into the UAE’s payments ecosystem, allowing Indian visitors to use their preferred payment method without any hassle.
7 Odisha-Singapore MoU: Fintech Hub launched in Bhubaneswar
The Electronics and IT Department of the Government of Odisha has partnered with the Global Finance and Technology Network (GFTN) of Singapore to set up a Global Competence Centre in Bhubaneswar . The collaboration aims to promote innovation in InsurTech and related sectors , in line with India’s vision of “ Insurance for All ” by 2047. The MoU was signed during the official visit of Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam to Odisha on January 17, 2025.
8 RBI allows foreign banks to open accounts in Indian rupees
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has authorised overseas branches of designated banks to open Indian Rupee (INR) accounts for non-residents . The initiative is aimed at promoting the global use of the Indian rupee in cross-border transactions and investments. Non-residents can now use the balances in their INR accounts to settle transactions with other non-residents, thereby promoting the use of the Indian rupee in international trade. Indian exporters are allowed to open accounts abroad to receive export proceeds and use these funds to pay for imports, enhancing operational flexibility and reducing currency conversion costs.
9 Both the men’s and women’s teams of India created history by winning the title in the first Kho-Kho World Cup
The Indian women’s and men’s teams have won the Kho-Kho World Cup 2025 title. Both the women’s and men’s teams won the title by defeating Nepal in the final . Both these matches were held in New Delhi on Sunday. In the men’s final, the Indian team defeated Nepal 54-36, while the women performed brilliantly and defeated the Nepal team by a huge margin of 78-40. This was the first edition of the Kho-Kho World Cup, which was supported by the Indian Olympic Association (IOA). 20 men’s and 19 women’s teams participated in it.
10 Olympic champions Viktor Axelsen and An Se-young won the men’s and women’s singles titles at the Open Super badminton tournament
Olympic champions Viktor Axelsen and An Se-Young won the men’s and women’s singles titles at the India Open Super badminton tournament . Axelsen defeated Hong Kong’s Lee Cheuk Yiu 21-16, 21-8. In women’s singles, An Se-Young easily defeated P Chochuwong 21-12, 21-9. Malaysian pair Goh Se Fei and Nur Izzuding, who ended the winning streak of India’s Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty in the semi-finals , performed brilliantly and defeated Korean pair Kim Won Ho and Seo Seung Jae 21-15, 13-21, 21-16 in the men’s doubles final.