Jan 25, 2025 | Current Affairs for UPSC, State PCS & other Govt. Exams

On January 23, 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump ordered the creation of a cryptocurrency working group tasked with proposing new digital asset regulations and exploring the creation of a national cryptocurrency stockpile.

The action also directed that banking services for crypto companies be protected, addressing industry claims that U.S. regulators had instructed lenders to sever ties with crypto companies—claims that regulators have denied.

Additionally, the order banned the creation of central bank digital currencies in the U.S., which could compete with existing cryptocurrencies. This move was met with enthusiasm by the crypto industry and has the potential to push cryptocurrencies further into the mainstream.

Reliance Industries is constructing the world's largest data center in Jamnagar, Gujarat. The new project is designed to enhance India's artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities and position the country as a competitor to global AI players.

Reliance Industries has reportedly acquired AI semiconductors from Nvidia, a leading AI development company. During the Nvidia AI Summit India 2024, held from October 23 to October 25, 2024, at the Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang announced a partnership between Reliance and Nvidia to build advanced AI infrastructure in India.

On January 24, 2025, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh flagged off "Sanjay", a cutting-edge Battlefield Surveillance System (BSS), which is set to be inducted into the Indian Army by October 2025.

Sanjay is an automated system that integrates inputs from ground and aerial battlefield sensors, processes them to verify accuracy, prevents duplication, and fuses the data to create a unified surveillance picture over a secured army data and satellite communication network.

Equipped with state-of-the-art sensors and advanced analytics, the BSS will monitor India's vast land borders, prevent intrusions, provide accurate situation assessments, and serve as a force multiplier in intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance operations.

Developed indigenously at a cost of ₹2,402 crore, the system is a joint effort by the Indian Army and Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL).

FICCI Frames, a prominent media and entertainment convention, has appointed Ayushmann Khurrana as the ambassador for its 25th anniversary celebration. The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) has selected RISE: Redefining Innovation, Sustainability, and Excellence as the theme for this year’s convention.

The event includes a variety of activities such as addresses, business meetings, masterclasses, policy roundtables, the Best Animated FRAMES Awards (BAF), a global content market, exhibitions, and vibrant cultural evenings.

In its 100th launch, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is set to launch a 2,250-kg navigation satellite aboard GSLV-F15 from Sriharikota on January 29 at 06:23 am.

The NVS-02 satellite is the second of five second-generation satellites developed by ISRO to replace the existing satellites in India's Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS) constellation.

These new-generation satellites utilize the L1 frequency, commonly used in the U.S. Global Positioning System (GPS), and are expected to see increased utilization in smaller devices like fitness trackers.

The IRNSS, also known as NavIC (Navigation with Indian Constellation), is a seven-satellite system that provides positioning, navigation, and timing services across the Indian mainland and within 1,500 km of its neighborhood.

With a total of 97 wickets in T20Is, Arshdeep Singh has now become the highest wicket-taker for India in the format. Since his international debut in 2022, he has rapidly established himself as one of the team's most reliable pacers.

The Trump administration has officially changed the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America as part of a series of executive actions aimed at fulfilling campaign promises.

On January 22, 2025, the Indian Sustainable Natural Rubber (iSNR) initiative was officially launched in Kottayam, Kerala. This groundbreaking initiative adheres to globally recognized sustainability principles and aligns with the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), marking a significant step towards promoting sustainable practices in natural rubber production.