Daily & Latest Current Affairs in 2025

Correct Answer :   Sachin Tendulkar

---

The Melbourne Cricket Club (MCC), a prestigious institution managing the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), has announced that legendary Indian cricketer Sachin Tendulkar has accepted its invitation to become an Honorary Cricket Member. This honor recognizes Tendulkar’s unparalleled contributions to the game over a remarkable 24-year international career.

Key Points :

About MCC Membership :
Test Career :

ODI Career :

Post Retirement Contributions : 

Correct Answer :   India

---

India’s first Undergraduate (UG) Minor Programme in Quantum Technologies, jointly launched by the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) and the National Quantum Mission (NQM), is set to commence from the next academic session.

Designed for engineering students in their third or fourth semester, this initiative aims to create a skilled workforce in quantum computing and related fields, aligning with India’s National Quantum Mission goals.

Programme Overview :

The UG Minor Programme offers engineering and technology students an opportunity to specialize in quantum technologies by covering core subjects such as quantum mechanics, quantum computing, quantum cryptography, and quantum algorithms. This initiative positions India as a significant player in the global quantum landscape by fostering talent in areas like cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and high-performance computing.

Curriculum Structure and Flexibility :

Students can choose 18 credits from over 30 courses, ensuring flexibility and customization according to institutional resources. Key focus areas include Quantum Computation, Quantum Communication, Quantum Sensing, and Quantum Materials. AICTE collaborates with top-tier institutes like IITs, IIITs, and NITs to design a curriculum that matches global standards and industry demands.

Hands-on Learning and Faculty Training :

The programme emphasizes experiential learning through project-based activities, offering practical exposure to quantum simulators and software. Advanced quantum laboratories will be established to enhance research and application skills. AICTE’s Faculty Development Programmes (FDPs) will equip educators with expertise in quantum technologies, ensuring quality education.

Infrastructure and National Vision :

Aligned with NQM’s objectives, the programme addresses challenges like infrastructure development and teacher training. By establishing robust academic-industry linkages, it seeks to boost employability, innovation, and research capabilities. This initiative is a critical step in advancing India’s quantum science ambitions and strengthening its global competitiveness.

Correct Answer :   Prasanta Chandra Mahalanobis

---

Prasanta Chandra Mahalanobis is known as the “Architect of Indian Planning.” He played a key role in shaping India’s economic development after independence by designing the country’s Five-Year Plans. His focus on industrialization and statistical methods helped guide national growth. Mahalanobis’ contributions made him a pioneer in modern economic planning for India.

Early Life and Education :

Mahalanobis was born on 29 June 1893 in Calcutta (now Kolkata), West Bengal. He belonged to a respected Bengali family known for its social contributions. His grandfather was influenced by Debendranath Tagore, a reformer and father of poet Rabindranath Tagore.

He studied at the Brahmo Boys School and later at Presidency College, where he earned a degree in physics. In 1913, he went to King’s College, Cambridge, where he met great minds like mathematician Srinivasa Ramanujan.

Starting the Indian Statistical Institute :

In 1931, Mahalanobis gathered a group of experts to discuss statistics. This meeting led to the founding of the Indian Statistical Institute (ISI) in Kolkata. It officially became an organization in 1932. ISI became famous for its contributions to statistics and even started the journal Sankhya in 1933.

The Mahalanobis Distance :

Mahalanobis introduced the Mahalanobis distance in 1930. This is a method to measure how different a point is from a group of data. It is widely used in fields like data analysis, classification and clustering.

Contributions to Survey :

Mahalanobis worked on sample surveys, which involve studying small groups to understand larger populations. He developed methods to measure things like crop production and consumer habits. His work inspired international organizations like the World Bank and the United Nations.

Role in India’s Planning :

After India gained independence, Mahalanobis became a member of the Planning Commission. He played a key role in designing the country’s Five-Year Plans. His ideas focused on industrialization and economic growth.

Later Years of Architect of Indian Planning :

Mahalanobis also worked with Rabindranath Tagore at the Visva-Bharati University and promoted cultural activities. He continued his research and work until his passing on 28 June 1972, just a day before his 79th birthday.

Awards and Legacy of Mahalanobis :

Mahalanobis received the Padma Vibhushan, India’s second-highest civilian award, for his contributions to science. He is celebrated as the Father of Indian Statistics, and his methods remain important in research and planning worldwide.

Correct Answer :   PPI Holders

---

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has announced that holders of full-KYC prepaid payment instruments (PPIs) such as digital wallets, gift cards, and metro rail cards can now make and receive Unified Payments Interface (UPI) payments through third-party applications like Google Pay and PhonePe. This move aligns with RBI’s Payments Vision 2025, promoting seamless payment interoperability and enhancing digital payment adoption. Previously, UPI payments involving PPIs were restricted to the issuer’s mobile application.

Enhancing Interoperability with UPI :

The RBI’s decision allows PPI issuers to link their customers’ fully-KYC-compliant PPIs to UPI handles. UPI payments will now be authenticated using the customer’s existing PPI credentials, ensuring a pre-approved process before transactions reach the UPI system. This eliminates the reliance on issuer-specific platforms and integrates PPIs with mainstream UPI apps for greater flexibility and convenience.

Key Impacts of the Directive :

Past Context and Future Implications :

Previously, UPI payments were limited to bank accounts or PPI issuers’ applications, restricting user flexibility. This change marks a significant step towards achieving a unified digital payment ecosystem, reducing dependency on specific platforms. It paves the way for a more inclusive financial system in India, benefiting both customers and businesses.

Correct Answer :   Andhra Pradesh

---

* Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) is planning to invest $11 billion in a new refinery and petrochemical project in Andhra Pradesh.

* The project will include a 9 million metric ton per year refinery and an ethylene cracker, with a petrochemical intensity of 35%.

* BPCL has already initiated pre-project work, including land acquisition, for this large-scale development in southern Andhra Pradesh.

Correct Answer :   New Delhi

---

* The Dr. Ambedkar Samman Scholarship Scheme was launched by the Delhi government in New Delhi.

* This initiative, announced by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, aims to fund SC/ST students pursuing higher education abroad fully.

* It reflects the government's commitment to enhancing educational opportunities for marginalized communities.

* The scheme, approved by the AAP Cabinet in 2019, plans to support 100 Dalit students annually for overseas studies.

Correct Answer :   Yogi Adityanath

---

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated the ‘Atal Yuva Maha Kumbh’ in Lucknow to celebrate the 100th birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

The event, aimed at celebrating Vajpayee’s legacy, included the recognition of meritorious students, cultural tributes, and discussions on Vajpayee’s contributions. December 25 marks Vajpayee’s 100th birth anniversary, which is also observed as ‘Good Governance Day’ across India.

Key Highlights of The Event :

Inauguration :
* Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated the ‘Atal Yuva Maha Kumbh’ in Lucknow.

Recognition of Students :
* Meritorious students who excelled in various competitions were awarded certificates and prizes.

Celebration of Vajpayee’s Legacy :
* December 25, 2024, marks Vajpayee’s 100th birth anniversary.
* The BJP Minority Front announced nationwide programs, including ‘Atal Smriti Sabhas’ and poetry recitations by youth.

Speeches By Leaders :
* CM Yogi Adityanath: Highlighted the cultural significance of the Yuva Maha Kumbh, connecting it to the tradition of Kumbh and Vajpayee’s legacy.
* Defence Minister Rajnath Singh: Praised Vajpayee’s simplicity, humor, and contributions as a leader and mentor.

Good Governance Day :
* Observed on December 25 to commemorate Vajpayee’s contributions to governance.
* Nationwide tributes include floral arrangements and discussions on his leadership.

Correct Answer :   December 26, 2024

---

Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, 92, passed away at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences here late on Thursday (December 26, 2024) evening.

Dr. Singh was admitted to AIIMS in the emergency ward around 8 p.m. in critical condition. “He was treated for age-related medical conditions and had sudden loss of consciousness at home on December 26.

Resuscitative measures were started immediately at home. He was brought to medical emergency at AIIMS Delhi at 8.06 pm. Despite all efforts, he could not be revived and was declared dead at 9.51 p.m.,” an AIIMS bulletin said.

Manmohan Singh :

Singh's family migrated to India during its partition in 1947. After obtaining his doctorate in economics from the University of Oxford, Singh worked for the United Nations during 1966–1969.

He subsequently began his bureaucratic career when Lalit Narayan Mishra hired him as an advisor in the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

During the 1970s and 1980s, Singh held several key posts in the Government of India, such as Chief Economic Advisor (1972–1976), governor of the Reserve Bank (1982–1985) and head of the Planning Commission (1985–1987).

Key Points :

* Singh was born to Gurmukh Singh Kohli and Amrit Kaur on 26 September 1932, in Gah, Punjab, British India (now in Punjab, Pakistan), into a family of Punjabi Sikh traders of Khatri background.

* India's 13th Prime Minister and the first Sikh.

* Manmohan Singh served as the Prime Minister of India from 2004 to 2014.

* Manmohan Singh awarded the Padma Vibhushan 1987.

* Manmohan Singh was recognized internationally for his contributions in Economics.

* Manmohan Singh receive "Grand Cordon of the Order of the Paulownia Flowers" from Japan in 2014.

Correct Answer :   $137

---

China has approved the construction of the world’s largest dam on the Yarlung Zangbo (Brahmaputra) in Tibet, close to the Indian border.

Estimated at $137 billion, this project raises strategic and environmental concerns for India and Bangladesh.

The massive hydropower dam, located at a tectonic boundary prone to earthquakes, has been touted as safe by Chinese authorities, who emphasize ecological protection and advanced engineering techniques.

Strategic and Diplomatic Implications :

* India’s Concerns : The dam could empower China to control water flow and potentially flood border areas during hostilities.

* India’s Response : India is constructing its own dam on the Brahmaputra in Arunachal Pradesh to counter potential Chinese control.

* Data Sharing Framework : India and China established the Expert Level Mechanism (ELM) in 2006 for trans-border river discussions. China provides India with hydrological data during flood seasons, reaffirmed during the December 18 meeting between India’s NSA Ajit Doval and China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi.

Engineering and Environmental Challenges :

* Tectonic Risks : The dam is located on a tectonic plate boundary in the seismically active Tibetan Plateau, known as the roof of the world.

* Ecological Claims : China asserts the dam prioritizes ecological protection, backed by geological explorations and advanced technologies.

Geopolitical Context :

* Regional Impacts : The dam could affect downstream riparian states like Bangladesh, which rely heavily on the Brahmaputra.

* Scale Comparison : With a proposed vertical drop of 25,154 feet, the dam would surpass the Three Gorges Dam, making it the largest infrastructure project globally.

Correct Answer :   Kannur

---

Kannur, a beautiful district in Kerala, is famously known as the “Land of Looms and Lores.” This title reflects its rich tradition of handloom weaving and its vibrant cultural heritage. Let’s explore why Kannur is called by this unique name.

Kerala, known as “God’s Country,” is a beautiful state in southern India. Famous for its lush greenery, backwaters, rich culture, it is a top tourist destination. Kerala is also celebrated for its traditional industries, like handloom weaving, which thrive in districts like Kannur. In this article, we will know about the district of Kerala which is known as the “City of Looms and Lores.”

An Overview of Kerala :

Kerala, located on India’s Malabar Coast, was formed on November 1, 1956, through the states Reorganization Act, combining Malayalam-speaking regions. Covering 38,863 square kilometers, it is India’s 21st largest state by area and 13th by population, with 33 million people. Bordered by Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and the Lakshadweep Sea, its capital is Thiruvananthapuram, and Malayalam is the official language.

Number of Districts of Kerala :

Kerala has 14 districts, each known for its unique attractions and specialties. From scenic landscapes to cultural heritage, every district offers something special to explore and enjoy.

Why is Kannur Known as the City of Looms and Lores?

Kannur is called the “City of Looms and Lores” because it is Kerala’s largest handloom-producing district, known for its beautiful fabrics and weaving traditions. It is also famous for Theyyam, a unique ritual dance and its rich cultural heritage, including historic forts, scenic beaches and ancient monuments, making it a place of art and history.

Handloom Industry of Kannur :

Kannur is the largest handloom-producing district in Kerala. The handloom industry here dates back to the 16th century and gained significant recognition in the 19th century. Its exquisite fabrics and weaving techniques have made Kannur a hub for high-quality handloom products, appreciated across the globe.

History of Kannur :

Kannur has a long and fascinating history. It was an ancient seaport and a major trading center in the 12th century. During the British colonial era, it was known as Cannanore. The district’s historical significance adds another layer to its identity as the “Land of Looms and Lores.”