Current Affairs Today: 21st January 2025 | Daily GK Update
📰 National News
1. What is the purpose of the newly launched ‘Entity Locker’ by the Government of India?
Answer: To streamline business document management and verification — a digital platform built on DigiLocker for secure governance.
🌐 International News
2. Who was sworn in as the 47th President of the United States on 20 Jan 2025?
Answer: Donald Trump — marking a historic comeback and becoming the oldest U.S. President at age 78.
3. What strategic treaty did Russia and Iran sign in January 2025?
Answer: A 20-year Comprehensive Strategic Partnership — strengthening ties across defense, energy, and trade.
4. Which infrastructure milestone did China achieve under BRI?
Answer: Completion of Tianshan Shengli Tunnel — the world’s longest expressway tunnel in Xinjiang.
⚔️ Defence News
5. Which Indian Navy ship joined La Perouse 2025 exercise?
Answer: INS Mumbai — participating with 9 nations in strategic Southeast Asian straits.
6. What is ‘Bhargavastra’ recently tested by India?
Answer: An indigenous micro-missile system — designed to counter drone swarms.
🏞️ State News
7. Which states celebrated Statehood Day on 21 Jan 2025?
Answer: Manipur, Meghalaya, and Tripura — commemorating full statehood under the 1971 Act.
8. Where was the Flamingo Festival 2025 held?
Answer: Andhra Pradesh — concluded at Pulicat Lake and Nelapattu Sanctuary, promoting biodiversity.
📈 Economy News
9. What is Moody’s revised GDP forecast for India in FY25?
Answer: 7% — down from 8.2%, citing global slowdown and sectoral weakness.
10. What record did PM Mudra Yojana achieve in Q3 FY25?
Answer: ₹3.39 lakh crore disbursed — highest quarterly figure since inception in 2015.
11. What is the new loan limit under PMMY’s ‘Tarun Plus’ category?
Answer: ₹20 lakh — up from ₹10 lakh to boost credit access.
🏦 Banking News
12. What new advisory committee did RBI form in Jan 2025?
Answer: SEAC — to evaluate Universal and Small Finance Bank applications, chaired by M.K. Jain.
13. What numbering directive did RBI issue for bank calls?
Answer: Use ‘1600xx’ for transactional and ‘140xx’ for promotional calls — to curb fraud.
👔 Appointments
14. Who became CEO of Zurich Kotak General Insurance?
Answer: Alok Kumar Agarwal — effective from 1 Jan 2025.
15. Who was appointed Group CEO of Angel One?
Answer: Ambarish Kenghe — to take charge in March 2025.
16. Who is the new Secretary General of IORA?
Answer: Sanjiv Ranjan — senior diplomat from the 1993 IFS batch.
🔬 Science & Technology
17. Where was Eastern India’s first astronomical observatory inaugurated?
Answer: Panchet Hill, Purulia, West Bengal — sixth such observatory in India.
📊 Ranks & Reports
18. What is India’s rank in global coffee production?
Answer: 7th — with exports reaching $1.29 billion in FY 2023–24.
🤝 Agreements
19. What collaboration took place at Maha Kumbh Mela 2025?
Answer: ISKCON and Adani Group — serving 1 lakh meals daily during the 45-day event.
Current Affairs Today: 21st January 2025 | Daily GK Update
