Daily Current Affairs 8th Jan, 2025: Your guide for daily General Knowledge Preparation
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This post contains important current affairs of 8th Jan, 2025. It includes all Major National, International, Business and Sports related current affairs of 8th Jan, 2025. A brief explanation of every current affair is provided to further enhance your general knowledge. Once you have gone through these current affairs we would recommend to you to try 8th Jan, 2025 Current affairs test.
International News
Indonesia Joins BRICS as an Official Member
- Indonesia has become the 11th official member of the BRICS group, joining Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa.
- This announcement was made by Brazil, the current chair of BRICS, emphasizing the decision made during the 2023 Johannesburg summit.
- Indonesia’s inclusion aligns with BRICS’ focus on reforming global governance structures and enhancing cooperation within the Global South, marking a pivotal shift in global economic dynamics.
National News
Indusfood 2025 to Showcase Global Food and Beverage Industry
- The upcoming Indusfood 2025, Asia’s leading food and beverage trade exhibition, is scheduled to take place in Greater Noida from January 8-10, 2025.
- Organized by the Trade Promotion Council of India (TPCI) in collaboration with the Department of Commerce, the event will host over 2,300 exhibitors from more than 30 countries.
- It aims to attract 7,500 international buyers and 15,000 Indian trade visitors, fostering trade opportunities and bridging gaps across the farm-to-fork value chain.
Cashless Treatment for Highway Accident Survivors Announced by Gadkari
- Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, unveiled a transformative plan to provide cashless medical treatment of up to ₹1.5 lakh for road accident survivors for seven days.
- This scheme is slated for nationwide implementation by March 2025.
- Additionally, Gadkari introduced advanced technology solutions for heavy vehicles aimed at reducing road accidents and enhancing safety standards.
Maha Kumbh Mela 2025 Dates Announced
- The Maha Kumbh Mela, a significant Hindu festival, will take place in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, from January 13 to February 26, 2025.
- This sacred event occurs every 12 years and attracts millions of devotees seeking blessings at the Triveni Sangam.
Memorial for Pranab Mukherjee at Rajghat
- The Central Government announced the establishment of a memorial dedicated to former President Pranab Mukherjee at Rashtriya Smriti Sthal, located in the Rajghat complex in Delhi.
- Mukherjee, who passed away on August 31, 2020, served as India’s 13th President and was a stalwart of the Indian National Congress.
- Expressing her gratitude, his daughter, Sharmistha Mukherjee, thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the thoughtful gesture.
- The memorial will honor Mukherjee’s extensive contributions to Indian politics.
Prabowo Subianto to Be Republic Day 2025 Chief Guest
- Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has officially accepted India’s invitation to be the chief guest for the Republic Day parade in 2025.
- This visit underscores the strengthening of India-Indonesia relations, reflecting the significance of the Act East Policy in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s third term.
- During the visit, both nations are expected to deepen their strategic, defense, and economic partnerships.
Rank & Report News
Indian Railways’ Record Capital Expenditure in FY25
- Indian Railways achieved a record-breaking capital expenditure of over ₹2 lakh crore during FY25, representing 76% of its total budgetary allocation.
- By December 2024, expenditures included ₹1.91 lakh crore from the Gross Budgetary Support (GBS), ₹824 crore from external resources, and ₹8,733 crore from extra-budgetary funds.
India’s GDP Growth Forecast for FY 2024-25 Revised
- The National Statistical Office (NSO) has projected India’s GDP growth for the financial year 2024-25 at 6.4%, a decline from the robust 8.2% growth recorded in the previous fiscal year.
Fiscal Deficit Target Remains Achievable
- Despite the downward revision of India’s GDP growth forecast for FY25, the government’s fiscal deficit target of 4.9% of GDP is expected to remain on track.
- The NSO’s nominal GDP growth estimate for FY25 was revised to 9.7%, slightly lower than the previous estimate of 10.5%.
- The government plans to adjust capital expenditure to mitigate the impact of slower growth.
Schemes News
Shahid Madho Singh Haath Kharcha Scheme Launched
- Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi inaugurated the Shahid Madho Singh Haath Kharcha Scheme at the Adivasi Mela in Bhubaneswar.
- This initiative provides ₹5,000 as one-time financial assistance to Scheduled Tribe (ST) students enrolling in Class IX and XI, targeting families with an annual income below ₹2.5 lakh.
- The scheme aims to reduce dropout rates among tribal students.
e-Shram Portal Expands Accessibility
- The e-Shram portal, designed for unorganized workers to access government schemes, now supports all 22 scheduled languages.
- Union Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, launched this multilingual upgrade to improve accessibility for workers nationwide.
Appointments News
Bahadur Singh Sagoo Elected AFI President
- Asian Games gold medalist and Padma Shri awardee Bahadur Singh Sagoo has been unanimously elected as the President of the Athletics Federation of India (AFI).
- Sagoo, who won gold in shot put at the 2002 Asian Games, succeeds Adille Sumariwalla. During its annual meeting, the AFI announced initiatives to boost athletics, including a major javelin competition and hosting international events.
Dr. V. Narayanan Appointed ISRO Chief
- Dr. V. Narayanan, a veteran scientist specializing in rocket propulsion, has been appointed as the Chairman of ISRO and Secretary of the Department of Space.
- He succeeds S. Somanath and will assume his role on January 14, 2025.
- Known for his contributions to missions like GSLV Mk III and Chandrayaan-3, Dr. Narayanan was previously the Director of the Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre.
Science & Technology News
Historic Artifact Donated to Dallas Museum
- The family of Neil Armstrong donated a fragment of the original Wright Flyer fabric, which Armstrong carried during the Apollo 11 mission, to the Frontiers of Flight Museum in Dallas.
- The artifact will be unveiled on October 2, 2025.
Banded Royal Butterfly Discovered in Tripura
- The rare Banded Royal butterfly has been discovered in Tripura’s Sepahijala Wildlife Sanctuary.
- This finding, documented in a peer-reviewed journal, underscores the region’s rich biodiversity.
First Human Fatality from H5N1 Bird Flu in the U.S.
- Louisiana reported the first human death in the U.S. from the H5N1 bird flu virus on January 6, 2025.
- This incident highlights the persistent threat of zoonotic diseases.