Daily & Latest Current Affairs in 2025

Correct Answer :   Japan

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Japan and India initiated the first round of the India-Japan Dialogue on Economic Security, Strategic Trade, and Technology in Tokyo.

This significant meeting aimed to enhance collaboration between the two nations in areas like economic security, supply chain resilience, and the application of emerging technologies.

The dialogue marked a substantial step in strengthening the India-Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership.

Correct Answer :   Ghanavenothan Retnam

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Ghanavenothan Retnam, a renowned classical musician, received Singapore's prestigious Cultural Medallion for his contributions to Indian music.

He is the first Indian classical musician to be honoured with this accolade, acknowledging his 40-year dedication to promoting Indian classical music.

As a bansuri maestro, Retnam also established Singapore's first Carnatic flute ensemble in 2019, showcasing his efforts to preserve and innovate within the Indian musical tradition.

Correct Answer :   India

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India has been chosen to host the 13th UN Global Geospatial Information Management Asia-Pacific Plenary and Regional Conference.

This significant event will focus on sharing global best practices, exploring innovative geospatial technologies, and crafting regional strategies to optimize the use of geospatial information.

As a leader in the geospatial domain, India’s role is further highlighted by the active involvement of Hitesh Kumar S. Makwana, the Surveyor General of India.

The conference underscores India's growing prominence in advancing geospatial solutions for sustainable development.

Correct Answer :   Yamandu Orsi

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Yamandu Orsi, representing the Broad Front alliance, was elected as Uruguay's president, marking a departure from five years of conservative leadership.

Orsi secured 1,123,420 votes, narrowly defeating his rival Delgado, who received 1,042,001 votes, as confirmed by Uruguay’s Electoral Court. His victory highlights a political shift in the nation.

Correct Answer :   Colombo

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The Voyage Sri Lanka 2024 conference was held in Colombo, the capital city of Sri Lanka, emphasizing the strategic importance of the blue economy in the Indian Ocean.

The conference also highlighted India's support for Sri Lanka in areas like energy, ports, and wind energy, aligning with the broader goals of sustainability under India's G20 presidency.

Correct Answer :   Amara Raja

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Amara Raja Infra, a part of the Amara Raja Group, set up India’s first green hydrogen fuelling station in Leh for NTPC Ltd.

The station, capable of producing 80 kg of green hydrogen daily, supports NTPC’s green mobility initiatives.

It will fuel five hydrogen fuel cell buses in Leh, marking a significant step in India’s efforts towards sustainable, emission-free transport.

The project also highlights Amara Raja Infra's expertise in overcoming challenges, as it was completed under extreme weather conditions, further strengthening India's green energy infrastructure.

Correct Answer :   Dr. Jaiteerth Raghavendra Joshi

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* Dr Jaiteerth Raghavendra Joshi has been appointed as the Chief of BrahMos Aerospace, the organization renowned for the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile system.

* With a career spanning over three decades, Dr. Joshi has made significant contributions to India’s missile programs, including Prithvi, Agni, and LRSAM.

* As a leader in defence technology, his expertise in missile systems and mechanical engineering reinforces BrahMos Aerospace's commitment to innovation and excellence in India's defence sector.

* His leadership is expected to further strengthen India’s defence capabilities and maintain its edge in missile technology.

Correct Answer :   Rs. 2,750 crore

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The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the continuation of the Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) under NITI Aayog, extending its scope and allocating a budget of Rs. 2,750 crore till March 31, 2028.

The enhanced initiative, dubbed AIM 2.0, aims to bolster India’s innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem, advancing the country’s goal of becoming a globally competitive and innovation-driven economy.

India currently ranks 39th on the Global Innovation Index and boasts the world’s third-largest startup ecosystem. AIM 2.0 is set to build on the successes of its predecessor by focusing on creating high-quality jobs, innovative products, and impactful services, further enhancing India’s standing in the global innovation landscape.

AIM 2.0 introduces transformative measures to expand and deepen the ecosystem, focusing on increasing participation, improving success rates, and enhancing the quality of outcomes. Notable initiatives include the Language Inclusive Program of Innovation (LIPI), aimed at reducing language barriers by promoting innovation in 22 scheduled Indian languages, and the Frontier Program, which tailors innovation models for regions such as Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh, the North East, and aspirational districts.

Additionally, the mission will focus on improving throughput with programs like the Human Capital Development Program, which aims to produce 5,500 professionals to sustain the ecosystem, and the Deeptech Reactor, fostering long-term growth for research-based startups.

To elevate India’s global competitiveness, AIM 2.0 emphasizes international collaborations through initiatives like a Global Tinkering Olympiad, bilateral and multilateral partnerships, and knowledge-sharing with global institutions, including the United Nations’ World Intellectual Property Organisation.

The mission also seeks to integrate startups with key industries through programs like Industrial Accelerators and Atal Sectoral Innovation Launchpads, enabling public-private partnerships to scale advanced innovations. By fostering robust infrastructure, enhancing startup success, and driving global engagement, AIM 2.0 aims to position India as a leader in innovation and entrepreneurship on the world stage..

Source : Egov

Correct Answer :   Rs.1435 crore

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The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has given its approval for the PAN 2.0 Project of the Income Tax Department.

The financial implications for the PAN 2.0 Project will Rs.1435 crore.

The PAN 2.0 Project enables technology driven transformation of Taxpayer registration services and has significant benefits including:

PAN 2.0 Project is an e-Governance project for re-engineering the business processes of taxpayer registration services through technology driven transformation of PAN/TAN services for enhanced digital experience of the taxpayers. This will be an upgrade of the current PAN/TAN 1.0 eco-system consolidating the core and non-core PAN/TAN activities as well as PAN validation service.

The PAN 2.0 Project resonates with the vision of the Government enshrined in Digital India by enabling the use of PAN as Common Identifier for all digital systems of specified government agencies..

Source : PIB

Correct Answer :   Alphabet

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The Competition Commission on Tuesday (26th Nov 2024) granted approval to Alphabet's arm Shoreline International Holdings LLC to acquire a stake in Walmart group firm Flipkart.

* Shoreline International Holding is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Google's parent firm Alphabet Inc. It is a holding company and does not own or operate any Google products or services.

* "The proposed transaction comprises an investment through subscription of shares of Flipkart Pvt Ltd (Target) by Shoreline International Holdings LLC (Acquirer) and an arrangement between an affiliate of the acquirer and the target's subsidiary for the provision of certain services," the regulator said in a release.

* "Commission approves transaction involving subscription of shares of Flipkart Pvt Ltd by Shoreline, an Alphabet, Inc subsidiary," the regulator said in a post on X.

* Flipkart is a subsidiary of Walmart Inc and ultimately belongs to the Walmart Group. It is primarily engaged in the business of wholesale cash and carry of goods and providing marketplace-based e-commerce platforms to facilitate trade between customers and sellers in India.

* In May this year, Walmart-owned Flipkart has closed a funding round of about $ 1 billion that includes $ 350 million from Alphabet's Google.

* Flipkart is a subsidiary of Walmart Inc and ultimately belongs to the Walmart Group. It is primarily engaged in the business of wholesale cash and carry of goods and providing marketplace-based e-commerce platforms to facilitate trade between customers and sellers in India.

* Delhi-based DMI Finance is a digital-led non-banking finance company that offers loans to individuals and small businesses.

The proposed combination envisages acquisition of additional securities of DMI Finance Pvt Ltd (DMI Finance) by MUFG Bank, Ltd, such that MUFG Bank's shareholding will increase to 20 per cent of the share capital of DMI Finance, CCI said.

* * MUFG Bank is a Tokyo-headquartered banking institution. MUFG Bank is wholly owned and controlled by Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc, which is a financial services and holding company.

* MUFG Bank in India provides corporate banking loans, deposit accounts, remittances, trade finance and bank guarantees.

* In August, Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc (MUFG) and its subsidiary, MUFG Bank announced that the bank will make an additional investment of Rs 2,798.8 crore (approximately JPY 49 billion) in DMI Finance, a digital financial services business in India.

* MUFG valued DMI Finance at $ 3 billion, becoming the digital lender's second largest shareholder after DMI Ltd, Mauritius.

* Deals beyond a certain threshold require approval from the regulator, which keeps a tab on unfair business practices and promotes fair competition in the marketplace..

Source : Business standard