18 January 2025

• Economy: The Indian rupee depreciated sharply against the US dollar due to capital outflows and global dollar strength.
• Governance: SVAMITVA Scheme saturation achieved in six states and UTs. Drone surveys completed in over 17 lakh villages.
• History: The Kuka Rebellion of January 1872 in Punjab was commemorated. Ram Singh's followers attacked Malerkotla in protest against British policies.
• Sports: The 2024 Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award was announced for Manu Bhaker, D. Gukesh, Harmanpreet Singh, and Praveen Kumar.
• Health: PM-ABHIM (PM-Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission) achievements reviewed.

GS area: Economy (Monetary Economics)

The Indian rupee fell against the US dollar in January 2025, driven by multiple factors.

• Internal factors: Rising domestic inflation, widening trade deficit, and fiscal expansion concerns.
• External factors: Capital outflows from emerging markets as US Federal Reserve maintained higher interest rates, geopolitical tensions, and global dollar strength.
• Consequences: Import costs rise (especially crude oil, which is denominated in dollars). Inflationary pressure increases. Export competitiveness nominally improves but is offset by higher input costs.
• RBI interventions: The RBI uses foreign exchange reserves to sell dollars and stabilise the rupee. It also uses interest rate adjustments and currency swap agreements.
• India's forex reserves: India's foreign exchange reserves were around $625 billion in early January 2025, providing a large buffer.

Static linkage: Monetary policy, exchange rates (Economy, GS Paper 3).

GS area: Sports, Society

The Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award 2024 was announced for four athletes.

• Award name: Renamed in 2021 from Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award to Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award.
• Started: 1991-92.
• Ministry: Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.
• 2024 recipients:
  • Manu Bhaker: Shooter. Won two Olympic bronze medals at Paris 2024. First Indian to win two Olympic medals in a single Olympics since 1900.
  • D. Gukesh: Chess player. Became world chess champion in December 2024, the youngest ever.
  • Harmanpreet Singh: Hockey. Captain of the Indian men's hockey team that won bronze at Paris 2024.
  • Praveen Kumar: Paralympic High Jumper. Won gold at Paris 2024 Paralympics.
• Major Dhyan Chand: India's legendary hockey player, called the "Wizard of Hockey." Won Olympic gold in 1928, 1932, and 1936.

Static linkage: Sports awards, Indian sports history (GS Paper 1, Society).

GS area: Governance, Health

PM-ABHIM is a mission to strengthen health infrastructure at all levels, particularly for pandemic and emergency preparedness.

• Launched: 2021-22. Classified partly as Centrally Sponsored Scheme and partly as Central Sector Scheme.
• Budget: Rs 64,180 crore for 2021-22 to 2025-26.
• Key components:
  • 12 Central Institutions with 150-bed Critical Care Blocks.
  • 17,788 rural Health and Wellness Centres (HWCs).
  • 11,024 urban HWCs.
  • 3,382 Block Public Health Units (BPHUs) at block level.
  • 602 Critical Care Hospital Blocks (CCBs) in all districts with population above 5 lakh.
  • 15 Health Emergency Operation Centres.

The distinction between PM-ABHIM and Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY is important. PM-JAY provides health insurance (Rs 5 lakh per family per year). PM-ABHIM builds the physical infrastructure.

Static linkage: Health governance, social sector schemes (GS Paper 2).

GS area: Modern Indian History

Punjab commemorated the suppression of the Kuka (Namdhari) Rebellion in January 1872.

• Leader: Satguru Ram Singh, founder of the Namdhari Sikh movement.
• Attacks: Malerkotla (January 13, 1872) and Malaudh Fort (January 15, 1872).
• British response: 49 Kukas blown from cannons on January 17; 17 more on January 18. Ram Singh exiled to Rangoon (Burma).
• Motivations: Opposition to cow slaughter (which the British permitted), anti-colonial sentiment, and social reform.
• Significance: The Namdhari movement used non-violent protest methods decades before Gandhi. They boycotted British courts, goods, and schools.

Static linkage: Indian freedom struggle, Sikh history (Modern History, GS Paper 1).

GS area: International Relations, Economy

WEF released two major reports in January 2025: Global Cybersecurity Outlook 2025 and Global Risks Report 2025.

• Cybersecurity Outlook 2025 key finding: Smaller organisations face cybersecurity challenges at seven times the rate of larger ones compared to 2022. Public sector is less cyber-resilient than private sector.
• Cybersecurity workforce gap: 49% of public-sector organisations reported inadequate cybersecurity talent.
• Global Risks Report 2025: Identified top five global risks over the next 10 years: extreme weather events, AI-generated misinformation, societal polarisation, cyber insecurity, and geoeconomic confrontation.
• WEF: Founded 1971 by Klaus Schwab as European Management Forum. Renamed 1987. Headquarters: Cologny, Switzerland.

Static linkage: International organisations, cybersecurity (GS Papers 2 and 3).

• Planet Parade: Venus, Saturn, Jupiter, Mars, Uranus, and Neptune were simultaneously visible in the night sky in mid-January 2025. All orbit on the ecliptic plane, creating a visual arc across the sky.
• Satish Dhawan Space Centre third launch pad: The Cabinet approval was confirmed this week. The existing two launch pads (FLP and SLP) have served PSLV and GSLV missions since the 1990s. The third pad is designed for NGLVs and Gaganyaan.