Current Affairs Today: 20th January 2025 | Daily GK Update
📰 National News
1. Which Hyderabad heritage site was added to the 2025 World Monuments Watch list?
Answer: Musi River’s historic buildings — recognized by the World Monuments Fund for urgent preservation amid environmental degradation and urban expansion.
2. What was the theme of PM Modi’s first ‘Mann Ki Baat’ of 2025?
Answer: Celebrated the 75th Republic anniversary — focused on Constitution, democracy, space tech, and human-animal harmony.
🌐 International News
3. Why did TikTok suspend operations in the U.S. in January 2025?
Answer: Due to a national security ban — later reversed by President-elect Donald Trump through executive order delaying enforcement.
🏞️ State News
4. Which product from Andaman received a GI tag?
Answer: Virgin Coconut Oil from Nicobar — promoted through SHGs and tribal empowerment initiatives.
5. What script adoption protest occurred in Tripura?
Answer: Tribal Students’ Federation demanded Roman script for Kokborok — to ease exam challenges for native speakers.
🏦 Economy & Banking
6. What GDP growth did CII project for FY 2025–26?
Answer: 7% — driven by rising private investments and employment generation.
7. What expansion approval did HSBC India receive?
Answer: RBI approved 20 new branches — largest foreign bank expansion in over a decade.
🏠 Schemes
8. How many property cards were distributed under SVAMITVA scheme?
Answer: Over 6.5 million — using drone surveys to provide legal ownership to rural families.
🤝 Agreements
9. What energy partnership did Uttarakhand sign with Iceland?
Answer: Geothermal energy collaboration — with Verkis Consulting Engineers to explore sustainable electricity generation.
⚖️ Appointments
10. Who was appointed as CRPF Director General?
Answer: Gyanendra Pratap Singh — IPS officer from Assam-Meghalaya cadre, tenure until Nov 2027.
🏆 Awards
11. Who won the Gates-Cambridge Impact Prize 2025?
Answer: Prof. Urbasi Sinha — from Raman Research Institute for contributions in Light and Matter Physics.
🏸 Sports News
12. Which country won both titles at the inaugural Kho Kho World Cup 2025?
Answer: India — clinched men’s and women’s championships among 23 participating nations.
13. Who won the singles titles at India Open 2025?
Answer: Viktor Axelsen (Men’s) and An Se-young (Women’s) — dominant performances in Super 750 badminton tournament.
📚 Books & Authors
14. What is Pankaj Mishra’s latest book and its theme?
Answer: The World After Gaza — explores the moral collapse amid the Gaza conflict, published by Juggernaut Books.
🕊️ Obituaries
15. Which football legend passed away on 17 Jan 2025?
Answer: Denis Law — iconic Manchester United and Scotland striker, died at age 84.
Current Affairs Today: 20th January 2025 | Daily GK Update