Daily Current Affairs January 20

Dear Champions, as you all know that a lot of competitive exams have been notified consequently. Candidates have to prepare themselves according to the level of competition and expectation of the Recruitment board. Regarding that one of the most important topic is Daily Current Affairs January 20. Current Affairs in the form of contemporary events of national & international play a crucial role in almost every competitive exams like Banking, Insurance, SSC, UPSC, TNPSC, Railway etc.

Current affairs are the most dynamic yet scoring among all sections and need to be prepared from the right source. Here, we cafunsta team, providing Daily GK Updates, Current Affairs Questions, and Monthly  current affairs pdf.

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January 20 | Daily Current Affairs 2024

Important Days – Daily Current Affairs January 20

1. What was a key highlight of the first ‘Mann Ki Baat’ of 2025 by PM Modi?
A) Celebration of India’s first space docking achievement
B) Commemoration of the 75th Republic Day
C) Launch of Start-Up India initiative
D) Release of the Virgin Coconut Oil GI tag
E) Inauguration of new tiger reserves
Answer: B) Commemoration of the 75th Republic Day

Event and Location:

• Event: First ‘Mann Ki Baat’ of 2025
• Date and Location: January 20, 2025, aired nationwide

Mandates and Objectives:

• Commemorate significant national milestones, including the 75th Republic Day and National Voters’ Day.
• Encourage unity, cultural heritage preservation, and citizen participation in democratic and national development activities.

Important Terms Explained:

• Mann Ki Baat:
  • A monthly radio program where PM Modi addresses the nation on various issues, highlighting governance, traditions, and achievements.
• 75th Republic Day:
  • Marks 75 years of the Indian Constitution’s adoption, symbolizing India’s democratic journey and unity.
• Kumbh Mela:
  • A religious congregation emphasizing inclusivity, unity in diversity, and India’s cultural richness.
• Start-Up India Initiative:
  • Government initiative launched in 2016 to support startups, especially in Tier 2 and 3 cities, with an emphasis on innovation and women-led enterprises.
• Haathi Bandhu Program:
  • A conservation initiative in Assam aimed at reducing human-animal conflicts through sustainable solutions.

Tabular Summary:

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Sports – Daily Current Affairs January 20

2. Which country won both the men’s and women’s titles at the inaugural Kho Kho World Cup 2025?
A) Nepal
B) Iran
C) India
D) Bangladesh
E) South Africa
Answer: C) India

Event and Location:

• Event: India wins inaugural Kho Kho World Cup 2025
• Date and Location: January 13-19, 2025, Indira Gandhi Arena, New Delhi

Mandates and Objectives:

• Showcase India’s dominance in Kho Kho by clinching both men’s and women’s titles.
• Promote Kho Kho on the global stage and inspire young athletes to pursue this traditional sport.

Important Terms Explained:

• Kho Kho World Cup 2025:
  • The first international tournament for Kho Kho, featuring 23 countries from six continents.
• Seven-a-side Format:
  • Each team fields seven players, emphasizing agility, strategy, and teamwork in this traditional Indian sport.
• Dream Run:
  • A defensive maneuver where a player avoids being touched for a prolonged duration, scoring valuable points.

Tabular Summary:

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3. Who won the men’s singles title at the India Open 2025?
A) Lee Cheuk Yiu
B) Goh Sze Fei
C) Viktor Axelsen
D) Thom Gicquel
E) Kim Won Ho
Answer: C) Viktor Axelsen

Event and Location:

• Event: India Open 2025 – Viktor Axelsen and An Se-young triumph
• Date and Location: January 2025, New Delhi, India

Mandates and Objectives:

• Showcase world-class badminton talent through the BWF World Tour Super 750 Series.
• Highlight the dominance of global players like Viktor Axelsen and An Se-young in singles competitions.

Important Terms Explained:

• BWF World Tour Super 750 Series:
  • A prestigious series of badminton tournaments organized by the Badminton World Federation (BWF).
• Viktor Axelsen:
  • A two-time world champion and three-time India Open winner (2017, 2019, 2025).
• An Se-young:
  • A rising star from South Korea, known for her consistent performances and growing dominance in women’s singles.

Tabular Summary:

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4. Which team won the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2024-25 final?
A) Vidarbha
B) Karnataka
C) Mumbai
D) Tamil Nadu
E) Baroda
Answer: B) Karnataka

Event and Location:

• Event: Karnataka Wins Vijay Hazare Trophy for the Fifth Time
• Date and Location: January 19, 2025, at Kotambi Stadium, Vadodara

Mandates and Objectives:

• Showcase Karnataka’s dominance in domestic cricket with a record fifth Vijay Hazare Trophy title.
• Highlight key individual performances that contributed to Karnataka’s victory.

Important Terms Explained:

• Vijay Hazare Trophy (VHT):
  • India’s premier domestic one-day cricket competition, organized by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
  • Named after cricketing legend Vijay Hazare.
• List A Cricket:
  • A limited-overs format with matches typically consisting of 50 overs per side.
• Ravichandran Smaran:
  • Karnataka’s batter who scored his second List A century (101 runs off 92 balls) in the final.

Tabular Summary:

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Ranking – Daily Current Affairs January 20

6. Who is the richest man in India in 2025?
A) Gautam Adani
B) Shiv Nadar
C) Mukesh Ambani
D) Savitri Jindal
E) Dilip Shanghvi
Answer: C) Mukesh Ambani

Event and Location:

• Event: Richest Man in India – Mukesh Ambani Tops the List
• Date and Source: January 2025, Forbes India Billionaire List

Mandates and Objectives:

• Highlight the financial and business achievements of India’s top billionaires.
• Provide insights into the industries driving India’s wealthiest individuals.

Important Terms Explained:

• Mukesh Ambani:
  • Chairman and Managing Director of Reliance Industries, leading sectors such as petrochemicals, oil & gas, retail, and telecom.
  • Net Worth: $95.4 billion, the highest among Indian billionaires in 2025.
• Gautam Adani:
  • Chairman of Adani Group, with a diversified business portfolio including ports, airports, power, green energy, cement, and real estate.
  • Net Worth: $62.3 billion.
• Shiv Nadar:
  • Founder of HCL Technologies and a philanthropist through the Shiv Nadar Foundation, focusing on education.
  • Net Worth: $42.1 billion.

Tabular Summary:

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7. Which country is the richest in the world by GDP per capita in 2025?
A) Singapore
B) Macao SAR
C) Ireland
D) Luxembourg
E) Qatar
Answer: D) Luxembourg

Event and Location:

• Event: Richest Countries in the World by GDP Per Capita (2025)
• Date and Context: January 2025, global rankings by GDP-PPP per capita

Mandates and Objectives:

• Highlight the top 10 richest countries globally based on GDP-PPP per capita.
• Showcase Luxembourg’s position as the wealthiest country, followed by other economic leaders.

Important Terms Explained:

• GDP-PPP (Gross Domestic Product at Purchasing Power Parity) Per Capita:
  • An economic metric that measures a country’s average income per person, adjusted for purchasing power.
• Luxembourg:
  • Known for its financial sector, political stability, and high living standards, Luxembourg consistently leads global rankings in GDP per capita.
• Singapore:
  • A global financial hub with robust trade networks, emphasizing resilience in economic growth.
• Macao SAR:
  • Heavily reliant on tourism and gaming, making it a significant contributor to global wealth rankings.

Tabular Summary:

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Banking and Finance – Daily Current Affairs January 20

8. Which bank received RBI approval to open 20 new branches across India in 2025?
A) Standard Chartered
B) Citi Bank
C) HSBC India
D) Barclays
E) Deutsche Bank
Answer: C) HSBC India

Event and Location:

• Event: HSBC India receives RBI approval for 20 new branches
• Date and Location: January 2025, India

Mandates and Objectives:

• Expand HSBC India’s physical presence to tap into the growing wealth market.
• Serve affluent, high-net-worth, and ultra-high-net-worth individuals.
• Enhance wealth management services for domestic and international clientele.

Important Terms Explained:

• HSBC India:
  • A subsidiary of HSBC, focusing on banking and wealth management services for affluent and globally mobile customers.
• Reserve Bank of India (RBI):
  • India’s central banking institution that regulates monetary policy and grants operational approvals to banks.
• Global Private Banking:
  • A service launched by HSBC in 2023 in India, tailored for high-net-worth individuals to manage global wealth.
• L&T Investment Management Acquisition (2022):
  • HSBC’s strategic purchase to strengthen its asset management capabilities in India.

Tabular Summary:

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Business and Economy – Daily Current Affairs January 20

9. What GDP growth rate has the CII projected for India in 2025-26?
A) 6.4%
B) 7.0%
C) 8.2%
D) 6.8%
E) 7.5%
Answer: B) 7.0%

Event and Location:

• Event: CII Projects 7% GDP Growth for 2025-26
• Date and Location: January 2025, India

Mandates and Objectives:

• Economic Growth: CII forecasts a 7% GDP growth rate for FY 2025-26, aligning with the Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) projection.
• Private Investments: Increased private sector participation, with 70% of firms planning new investments.
• Employment Growth: Positive employment trends, with 97% of firms planning workforce expansion.

Important Terms Explained:

• CII (Confederation of Indian Industry):
  • A leading industry association in India, focusing on policy advocacy and economic development.
• GDP (Gross Domestic Product):
  • A measure of the total economic output of a country, reflecting its overall economic health.
• RBI (Reserve Bank of India):
  • India’s central bank, responsible for monetary policy and economic forecasting.

Tabular Summary:

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Books and Authors – Daily Current Affairs January 20

10. What is the central theme of Pankaj Mishra’s book, The World After Gaza?
A) Advances in international diplomacy
B) Reflections on the Gaza conflict and global moral decay
C) Economic impact of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict
D) Historical analysis of Zionism and the Holocaust
E) Predicting technological advancements in war
Answer: B) Reflections on the Gaza conflict and global moral decay

Event and Location:

• Event: Publication of The World After Gaza by Pankaj Mishra
• Date and Publisher: January 2025, Juggernaut Books

Mandates and Objectives:

• Provide a historical and moral critique of the Gaza conflict and its global repercussions.
• Examine the erosion of human rights, morality, and political stability worldwide.
• Highlight the role of propaganda and historical manipulation in justifying expansionist policies.

Important Terms Explained:

• Gaza Conflict:
  • Refers to the ongoing war in the Gaza Strip, marked by military actions, humanitarian crises, and international debates.
• Holocaust Memory and Zionism Critique:
  • Mishra critiques the instrumentalization of Holocaust memories to justify actions against Palestine, emphasizing the moral degradation this causes.
• Global Moral Decay:
  • The erosion of universal values like human rights and justice, exacerbated by divisive global politics.

Tabular Summary:

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Appointments – Daily Current Affairs January 20

11. Who was reappointed as the chairperson of the Prime Ministers’ Museum & Library (PMML) in 2025?
A) Smriti Irani
B) Shekhar Kapur
C) Rajiv Kumar
D) Nripendra Mishra
E) Anurag Thakur
Answer: D) Nripendra Mishra

Event and Location:

• Event: Smriti Irani and Shekhar Kapur Join PM Museum Council
• Date and Context: January 2025, reconstitution of the Prime Ministers’ Museum & Library (PMML) leadership

Mandates and Objectives:

• Reconstitute the PMML council to bring in diverse expertise in politics, culture, economics, and defense.
• Preserve and promote the legacies of all Indian Prime Ministers.

Important Terms Explained:

• Prime Ministers’ Museum & Library (PMML):
  • Formerly known as Nehru Memorial Museum & Library (NMML), renamed in 2023 to honor all Indian Prime Ministers.
• Nripendra Mishra:
  • Former Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister, reappointed as chairperson for a five-year term.
• New Members:
  • Smriti Irani: Former Union Minister, known for her political and administrative acumen.
  • Shekhar Kapur: Renowned filmmaker, bringing cultural and artistic expertise.
  • Rajiv Kumar: Former Vice-Chairman of NITI Aayog, offering insights into policy and economics.
  • Syed Ata Hasnain: Retired General, contributing defense and strategic perspectives.
  • Vasudev Kamath: Associated with Sanskar Bharati, enhancing cultural representation.

Tabular Summary:

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Awards – Daily Current Affairs January 20

12. Who won the Gates-Cambridge Impact Prize 2025 for contributions to quantum science?
A) Dr. Shantanu Sinha
B) Professor Urbasi Sinha
C) Dr. K. Sivan
D) Professor Ashutosh Sharma
E) Dr. Ajay Kumar
Answer: B) Professor Urbasi Sinha

Event and Location:

• Event: Gates-Cambridge Impact Prize 2025 awarded to Professor Urbasi Sinha
• Date and Location: January 2025, Cambridge, UK

Mandates and Objectives:

• Recognize exceptional contributions in quantum science, including communication, computing, and optics.
• Highlight global innovation efforts addressing critical challenges through quantum technologies.

Important Terms Explained:

• Gates-Cambridge Impact Prize:
  • Award by Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation for impactful work in various fields.
• Quantum Information and Computing (QuIC) Lab:
  • A research lab at the Raman Research Institute (RRI), pioneering quantum communication and computing in India.
• National Quantum Mission:
  • India’s national program for advancing quantum technologies to global leadership levels.
• Open Quantum Institute (OQI):
  • A multi-stakeholder initiative launched at CERN in 2024 for collaborative quantum research.

Tabular Summary:

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13. What is the prize money for the Prime Minister’s Awards for Excellence in Public Administration 2024?
A) Rs. 10 lakh
B) Rs. 15 lakh
C) Rs. 20 lakh
D) Rs. 25 lakh
E) Rs. 30 lakh
Answer: C) Rs. 20 lakh

Event and Location:

• Event: Launch of Web-Portal for Prime Minister’s Awards for Excellence in Public Administration 2024
• Date and Context: January 20, 2025, launched by the Department of Administrative Reforms & Public Grievances

Mandates and Objectives:

• Recognize and reward outstanding contributions of civil servants across three categories with a total of 16 awards.
• Encourage innovation, good governance, and last-mile connectivity in public administration.

Award Categories and Details:

1. Category 1: Holistic Development of Districts under 11 priority sector programs (5 awards).
2. Category 2: Aspirational Blocks Programme (5 awards).
   • New Inclusion: Aspirational Blocks Programme added to boost initiatives in Aspirational Districts.
3. Category 3: Innovations for Central Ministries/Departments, States, and Districts (6 awards).

Evaluation and Prize Details:

• Evaluation Process:
  1. Short-listing by Screening Committees.
  2. Expert Committee evaluation.
  3. Empowered Committee recommendations (final approval by PM).
• Award Components:
  1. Trophy, Scroll, and Rs. 20 lakh prize money for the winning district/organization.
  2. Prize money must be used for project implementation or bridging resource gaps in public welfare.
• Period of Consideration:
  • From 1st April 2022 to 31st December 2024.

Tabular Summary:

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National Affairs – Daily Current Affairs January 20

14. What recent recognition has Virgin Coconut Oil from the Andaman and Nicobar Islands received?
A) Export Excellence Award
B) Geographical Indication (GI) Tag
C) National Quality Certification
D) Women Empowerment Award
E) UNESCO Heritage Certification
Answer: B) Geographical Indication (GI) Tag

Event and Location:

• Event: GI Tag for Virgin Coconut Oil of Andaman
• Date and Location: January 19, 2025, during the 118th episode of “Mann Ki Baat”

Mandates and Objectives:

• Promote Virgin Coconut Oil (VCO) from Nicobar district as a high-quality, globally recognized product.
• Empower women in Andaman and Nicobar Islands through self-help groups (SHGs) for financial independence.
• Provide specialized training in marketing and branding to enhance product visibility and sales.

Important Terms Explained:

• Geographical Indication (GI) Tag:
  • A designation that identifies a product as originating from a specific region, ensuring its unique quality, reputation, or characteristics.
• Self-Help Groups (SHGs):
  • Small voluntary groups formed to promote mutual help and financial independence, particularly among women.
• Virgin Coconut Oil (VCO):
  • Oil extracted from fresh coconuts using traditional methods without chemicals or preservatives, ensuring high-quality standards.
• Mann Ki Baat:
  • A monthly radio program hosted by PM Narendra Modi to address significant national issues and initiatives.

Tabular Summary:

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15. Which country has partnered with Uttarakhand for geothermal energy development in 2025?
A) Norway
B) Iceland
C) Sweden
D) Finland
E) Denmark
Answer: B) Iceland

Event and Location:

• Event: Uttarakhand-Iceland Partnership for Geothermal Energy
• Date and Location: January 2025, Uttarakhand

Mandates and Objectives:

• Support India’s commitment to achieving carbon neutrality by 2070.
• Harness geothermal energy for sustainable electricity generation and direct heating applications.

Important Terms Explained:

• Geothermal Energy:
  • A renewable energy source that utilizes heat from the Earth’s subsurface for electricity generation or heating applications.
• Verkis Consulting Engineers:
  • An Iceland-based firm specializing in geothermal energy development, providing expertise and technical solutions.
• Memorandum of Understanding (MoU):
  • A formal agreement outlining the collaboration between Uttarakhand and Iceland for geothermal energy exploration and development.
• Feasibility Study:
  • A technical and financial assessment to determine the practicality of geothermal energy extraction.

Tabular Summary:

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16. Which Indian state is set to become the first to implement the Uniform Civil Code (UCC)?
A) Himachal Pradesh
B) Gujarat
C) Uttar Pradesh
D) Uttarakhand
E) Karnataka
Answer: D) Uttarakhand

Event and Location:

• Event: Uttarakhand Clears Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Rules
• Date and Context: January 2025, under Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami’s leadership

Mandates and Objectives:

• Unified Legal Framework: UCC aims to unify laws across all communities in areas such as marriage, divorce, inheritance, and live-in relationships.
• Digital and Offline Accessibility: Ensure inclusivity through online platforms and Common Service Centres (CSCs) for those without digital literacy.
• Women’s Equality: Equal inheritance rights, bans on polygamy, and rights to adoption and divorce are key features.

Important Terms Explained:

• Uniform Civil Code (UCC):
  • A legal framework that seeks to provide uniform personal laws across all citizens irrespective of their religion or community.
• Common Service Centres (CSCs):
  • Physical centers designed to help citizens in remote or rural areas access government services digitally.
• Mock Drill:
  • A preparatory exercise planned for January 21, 2025, to ensure system readiness for UCC implementation.

Tabular Summary:

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17. How many companies were selected under the third round of the PLI Scheme for White Goods (ACs and LED Lights)?
A) 18
B) 24
C) 6
D) 38
E) 10
Answer: B) 24

Event and Location:

• Event: 24 Companies Selected Under PLI Scheme for White Goods (ACs and LED Lights)
• Date and Context: January 2025, initiative by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT)

Mandates and Objectives:

• Boost domestic manufacturing of components for Air Conditioners (ACs) and LED lights in India.
• Facilitate Rs. 10,478 crore investments, resulting in production worth Rs. 1,72,663 crore over the scheme period (FY 2021-22 to FY 2028-29).
• Increase domestic value addition in the sector from 15-20% to 75-80%.

Important Terms Explained:

• Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme:
  • Introduced in 2021 to promote local manufacturing and reduce dependency on imports by offering financial incentives on incremental sales.
• Gestation Period:
  • The time allocated to companies for setting up operations under the scheme. For White Goods, it spans FY 2021-23.
• Common Products:
  • AC Components: Compressors, copper tubes, heat exchangers, BLDC motors, and sheet metal components.
  • LED Components: Drivers, engines, light management systems, heat sinks, and metallized films for capacitors.

Tabular Summary:

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18. What is the primary purpose of the ‘Entity Locker’ platform developed by MeitY?
A) To store personal documents for individuals
B) To streamline business document management and verification
C) To replace all government regulatory platforms
D) To provide cloud storage exclusively for startups
E) To facilitate international trade
Answer: B) To streamline business document management and verification

Event and Location:

• Event: Launch of Entity Locker by MeitY
• Date and Context: January 2025, developed under the National eGovernance Division (NeGD) by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY)

Mandates and Objectives:

• Provide a secure cloud-based solution for managing, sharing, and verifying business documents.
• Enhance operational efficiency and reduce administrative overhead for businesses.
• Facilitate real-time document access and verification through integration with government databases.

Key Features of Entity Locker:

• Document Management and Sharing:
  • Offers 10 GB of encrypted cloud storage for secure document handling.
  • Allows consent-based sharing of sensitive business documents.
  • Supports legally valid digital signatures for document authentication.
• Seamless Integration with Government Platforms:
  • Integrated with Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA), Goods and Services Tax Network (GSTN), and Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT).
  • Facilitates vendor verification, GST registration, and compliance with various regulations.
• Efficiency Enhancements:
  • Reduces processing times for applications such as loans for MSMEs and corporate annual filings.
  • Streamlines FSSAI compliance and tendering processes.

Tabular Summary:

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Over All Review

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