2025 · NDA IIQ142 · Easy
India Meteorological Department — 150 years (2025)
IMD was established on 15 January 1875 by Lord Lytton and completed 150 years of service on 15 January 2025.
Focus: Anniversaries
Current Affairs
January 2025 onwards — study notes in English (from PYQs + must-know events)
Events from January 2025 onwards — clear English study notes from NDA GAT previous-year papers plus must-know headlines not yet asked. Use as a revision checklist for the 9–12 month window before your exam.
30 from PYQ (2026 NDA I, 2025 NDA II, 2025 NDA I) · 20 must-know additions · 50 total
Anniversaries(1)
Climate Risk Index 2026(1)
2026 · NDA IQ149 · Hard
Germanwatch Climate Risk Index 2026
Haiti, the Philippines, Nicaragua, and India all appear in the 'continuous threats' category — countries repeatedly hit by extreme weather during 1995–2024.
Focus: Climate risk
Cryptocurrencies(1)
2025 · NDA IIQ150 · Easy
Major cryptocurrencies
Ethereum, Tether, Solana, and Cardano are cryptocurrencies — blockchain-based digital assets, not AI startups, payment gateways, or satellite systems.
Focus: Technology
Culture(1)
2025 · NDA IQ117 · Easy
Garba inscribed on UNESCO Intangible Heritage list
Gujarat's Garba was inscribed on UNESCO's Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in December 2023 — India's 15th element on that list.
Focus: Culture
Culture & Heritage(1)
Must-know
Maha Kumbh 2025, Prayagraj
The Maha Kumbh at Prayagraj (Jan–Feb 2025) drew record pilgrim footfall — widely reported as the world's largest peaceful gathering. Exam angles: location (Sangam of Ganga-Yamuna-Saraswati), UNESCO/cultural significance, and Uttar Pradesh tourism infrastructure.
Topic: Maha Kumbh 2025
Defence Exercises(1)
Must-know
Exercise MILAN — multilateral naval exercise
Exercise MILAN is the Indian Navy's biennial multilateral exercise hosted off Visakhapatnam. The 2024 edition (Feb 2024) saw 50+ nations; 2025 follow-on activities and MILAN's role in Indo-Pacific outreach remain exam-relevant for defence GK.
Topic: Exercise MILAN
Defence Operations(1)
Must-know
Operation Sindoor (May 2025)
After the Pahalgam terror attack (April 2025), India launched Operation Sindoor on 7 May 2025 — precision strikes on terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. It demonstrated India's integrated air-defence and drone-counter measures; follow-up DAC approvals focused on QRSAM and layered air defence.
Topic: Operation Sindoor
Defence Procurement(1)
Must-know
DAC clears ₹1.05 lakh crore indigenous defence projects (July 2025)
In its first meeting after Operation Sindoor, the Defence Acquisition Council (July 2025) accorded AoN for 10 proposals worth ~₹1.05 lakh crore under Buy (Indian-IDDM), including QRSAM, Mine Counter Measure Vessels, electronic warfare systems, and tri-services logistics platforms.
Topic: DAC Approvals
Defence Technology(1)
2025 · NDA IQ123 · Easy
Kaveri jet engine (GTRE / DRDO)
The Kaveri turbofan engine is developed by GTRE under DRDO for fighter aircraft. The Dry Kaveri variant is being tested for unmanned and future platforms after the original programme faced thrust shortfalls for Tejas.
Focus: Defence technology
Economy(1)
Must-know
India as world's 4th largest economy (2025)
IMF/World Bank projections in 2025 placed India as the fourth-largest economy by GDP (nominal), after the US, China, and Germany — a frequent headline for economy/current-affairs MCQs.
Topic: Global Economic Rankings
Economy & Budget(1)
Must-know
Union Budget 2025-26
Presented on 1 February 2025 — Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman's eighth consecutive budget. Highlights examiners often probe: capital expenditure push, middle-class tax slab changes, agriculture & rural schemes, and defence allocation trends.
Topic: Union Budget 2025-26
Economy & Industry(1)
Must-know
India Semiconductor Mission — fab approvals
India approved major semiconductor and display fab projects (e.g., Tata-PSMC Dholera, Micron Sanand ATMP) under the India Semiconductor Mission. Know ISM, scheme outlay, and Gujarat as a hub — high probability for economy/tech questions.
Topic: Semiconductors
Energy(1)
2025 · NDA IQ120 · Medium
ASHVINI nuclear power joint venture
ASHVINI (Anushakti Vidhyut Nigam Ltd) is a 51:49 JV of NPCIL and NTPC, approved September 2024, to build and operate nuclear power plants in India.
Focus: Energy
Environment(1)
Must-know
COP30 climate summit — Belém, Brazil (2025)
The 30th UN Climate Change Conference (COP30) is scheduled in Belém, Brazil (2025) — in the Amazon region. Themes: climate finance, NDCs, and deforestation. Often contrasted with COP29 Baku (2024).
Topic: Climate Summits
Governance(1)
Must-know
Census 2027 notification & digital census
Government announced the next decennial Census for 2027 with a push toward digital enumeration and caste/socio-economic data debates. Registrar General of India (RGI) oversees the exercise under the Census Act, 1948.
Topic: Census
Government Initiatives(3)
2026 · NDA IQ143 · Medium
Atal Innovation Mission (AIM)
AIM is NITI Aayog's flagship programme to promote innovation and entrepreneurship through Atal Tinkering Labs, incubators, and challenge programmes in schools and colleges.
Focus: Government initiatives
2025 · NDA IQ58 · Easy
BHARATPOL portal (CBI–INTERPOL link)
BHARATPOL was developed by the CBI and launched 7 January 2025. It connects Indian law enforcement with INTERPOL through Connect, Notices, References, Broadcast, and Resources modules.
Focus: Government initiatives
2025 · NDA IQ118 · Hard
Dhara initiative for Indian Knowledge Systems
'Dhara: An Ode to Indian Knowledge Systems' is a Ministry of Culture initiative (from 2022) promoting India's civilizational knowledge through conferences and outreach.
Focus: Government initiatives
Government Reports(1)
2025 · NDA IQ125 · Hard
NITI Aayog S.A.F.E. Accommodation report
NITI Aayog released 'S.A.F.E. Accommodation — Worker Housing for Manufacturing Growth' in December 2024 on dormitory-style housing near factories to support manufacturing clusters.
Focus: Government reports
Government Schemes(3)
2026 · NDA IQ145 · Easy
PM MITRA textile parks
PM MITRA = PM Mega Integrated Textile Region and Apparel Parks. It develops integrated textile manufacturing clusters with plug-and-play infrastructure.
Focus: Government schemes
2025 · NDA IQ119 · Medium
PRASHAD pilgrimage tourism scheme
PRASHAD (Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Heritage Augmentation Drive) is a Ministry of Tourism central-sector scheme funding pilgrimage infrastructure at identified heritage sites.
Focus: Tourism schemes
Must-know
PM E-DRIVE — electric mobility scheme
PM Electric Drive Revolution in Innovative Vehicle Enhancement (E-DRIVE) supports demand incentives for electric two-wheelers, three-wheelers, ambulances, and charging infrastructure — replacing earlier FAME schemes. Know implementing ministry (Heavy Industries) and focus sectors.
Topic: PM E-DRIVE
Health & Governance(1)
Must-know
U-WIN digital immunisation platform
U-WIN is India's digital platform for universal immunisation — tracking vaccine doses akin to Co-WIN. Rolled out nationally in 2025; useful for questions on Ministry of Health programmes and digital public infrastructure.
Topic: U-WIN Platform
India-Russia Defence Cooperation(1)
2026 · NDA IQ141 · Hard
India–Russia defence cooperation
BrahMos is a DRDO–NPO Mashinostroyeniya joint venture. The Indo-Russian Rifles Pvt. Ltd. (IRRPL) AK-203 facility is at Korwa, Amethi (Uttar Pradesh), not Madhya Pradesh.
Focus: Defence cooperation
India's Rescue/Evacuation Operations(1)
2026 · NDA IQ150 · Medium
India's rescue and evacuation operations
Operation Kaveri → Sudan; Operation Indravati → Haiti; Operation Ajay → Israel; Operation Ganga → Ukraine. Know operation name ↔ country pairs.
Focus: Defence diplomacy
Indigenous Technology(1)
2025 · NDA IQ121 · Medium
REJUPAVE road technology (CSIR-CRRI)
REJUPAVE is a bio-oil-based asphalt modifier developed by CSIR-Central Road Research Institute. It lowers heating needs for bitumen mixes during long transport.
Focus: Indigenous technology
Inland Waterways(1)
2025 · NDA IIQ143 · Medium
Jalvahak inland waterways scheme
Jalvahak is a cargo promotion scheme (not a naval ship) launched 15 December 2024 by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways to shift freight to national waterways.
Focus: Inland waterways
International(1)
2025 · NDA IQ124 · Medium
Jimmy Carter — Nobel Peace Prize
Jimmy Carter (39th US President) received the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002 for decades of work on conflict resolution, democracy, and human rights — not for a specific year of presidency.
Focus: International awards
International Organisations(2)
2026 · NDA IQ146 · Medium
Timor-Leste joins ASEAN as 11th member (2025)
Timor-Leste became ASEAN's 11th member in 2025 — the first expansion since Cambodia joined in 1999.
Focus: International organisations
Must-know
BRICS chairmanship — Brazil 2025
Brazil holds the BRICS chairmanship in 2025 after Russia's 2024 summit in Kazan. Track expanded membership (Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, UAE, etc.) and summit themes for international-organisations questions.
Topic: BRICS
International Relations(1)
Must-know
Donald Trump inaugurated as 47th US President (Jan 2025)
Donald Trump took office as the 47th President of the United States on 20 January 2025. India-US relations, tariffs, and Quad dynamics under the second Trump term are recurring exam themes.
Topic: United States
Marine Science / Robotics(1)
2025 · NDA IQ122 · Medium
C-Bot underwater reef monitoring robot
C-Bot is an indigenous underwater vehicle developed to monitor coral reef health — relevant for science-and-tech and environment current affairs.
Focus: Marine science
MGNREGA(1)
2025 · NDA IIQ144 · Hard
MGNREGA district coverage (2024–25)
MGNREGA's regular implementation framework covers about 600 rural districts as per the Ministry of Rural Development monitoring figures for 2024–25.
Focus: Rural employment
National Security(1)
Must-know
Pahalgam terror attack (April 2025)
On 22 April 2025, a terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir, killed 26 civilians — mostly tourists. The incident became the immediate trigger for India's subsequent Operation Sindoor and dominated national-security discourse through 2025.
Topic: Terrorism
National Symbols & Monuments(1)
2025 · NDA IQ116 · Medium
Six ceremonial gates of the new Parliament building
Gaja, Ashwa, Garuda, Makar, Shardula, and Hamsa Dwars are the six named entrance gates of the new Parliament building (Sansad Bhavan), New Delhi, inaugurated May 2023.
Focus: National monuments
National Technology Day(1)
2025 · NDA IIQ147 · Medium
National Technology Day 2025
National Technology Day marks Pokhran-II (Operation Shakti, 11 May 1998). The 2025 theme was 'YANTRA – Yugantar for Advancing New Technology, Research & Acceleration' (not the 2024 schools theme).
Focus: National days
NITI Aayog(1)
2025 · NDA IIQ145 · Hard
NITI Aayog State Support Mission
The State Support Mission helps states set up State Institutions for Transformation (SITs) — state-level counterparts of NITI Aayog.
Focus: Governance
Polity & Law(1)
Must-know
Digital Personal Data Protection Rules (2025)
Rules under the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 were notified for phased implementation from 2025 — governing consent, data fiduciaries, children's data, and cross-border transfers. Data Protection Board of India is the regulator.
Topic: Data Protection
Ramsar Sites(1)
2025 · NDA IIQ148 · Hard
New Ramsar wetland sites in India (2025)
On World Wetlands Day 2025, India added Sakkarakottai Bird Sanctuary (TN), Therthangal Bird Sanctuary (TN), Khecheopalri Wetland (Sikkim), and Udhwa Lake (Jharkhand) to the Ramsar list.
Focus: Environment
Science & Technology(1)
Must-know
AI Action Summit, Paris (Feb 2025)
France hosted a global AI Action Summit in Paris (Feb 2025) on safe/inclusive AI governance. India participated actively — relevant for tech-diplomacy and emerging-technology GK.
Topic: Artificial Intelligence
Space & Science(3)
Must-know
ISRO SpaDeX — India's first space docking experiment
ISRO's Space Docking Experiment (SpaDeX) achieved in-orbit docking of two small spacecraft (SDX-01 and SDX-02) in late December 2024 / early January 2025 — a critical step toward Chandrayaan follow-ons, space stations, and on-orbit servicing.
Topic: ISRO SpaDeX
Must-know
NISAR — NASA-ISRO synthetic aperture radar satellite
NISAR (NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar) is a joint Earth-observation mission using L-band and S-band SAR to monitor land ecosystems, ice sheets, and natural hazards. Launch readiness and 2025 milestones are high-yield for Science & Tech GK.
Topic: NISAR Satellite
Must-know
Gaganyaan human spaceflight programme — 2025 milestones
ISRO's Gaganyaan aims to send Indian astronauts to low Earth orbit. Uncrewed test flights (e.g., TV-D missions), crew module recovery, and Vyommitra robot trials in 2024–25 are likely question fodder even if not in recent PYQs.
Topic: Gaganyaan
Sports(2)
2026 · NDA IQ147 · Medium
Vidarbha wins Ranji Trophy 2024–25
Vidarbha beat Kerala in the 2024–25 Ranji final at Nagpur (on first-innings lead) for their third Ranji title.
Focus: Cricket
Must-know
ICC Champions Trophy 2025
The ICC Champions Trophy was held in Pakistan in February–March 2025. India won the tournament (final vs New Zealand at Dubai) — know host nation, venues used, and winner for sports GK.
Topic: Cricket
UN Sustainable Development Goals(1)
2026 · NDA IQ135 · Medium
UN Sustainable Development Goals — correct matching
Goal 1: No Poverty; Goal 2: Zero Hunger; Goal 3: Good Health; Goal 4: Quality Education; Goal 5: Gender Equality. PYQs often swap adjacent goals to create traps.
Focus: UN SDGs
UNESCO Creative Cities(1)
2026 · NDA IQ144 · Medium
Lucknow — UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy (2025)
Lucknow was named a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy in 2025 (announced 31 October). Hyderabad (2019) was the first Indian city in this category.
Focus: UNESCO cities
Virat Kohli – Cricket Records(1)
2025 · NDA IIQ149 · Medium
Virat Kohli — Test cricket records
Kohli holds multiple Test records: most double centuries by an Indian captain, most international centuries as Indian captain, twin tons on captaincy debut (Adelaide 2014), and most Test double centuries by an Indian.
Focus: Cricket
Volcanism(1)
2026 · NDA IQ118 · Medium
Mount Ibu volcanic eruption (Indonesia)
Mount Ibu on Halmahera Island, Indonesia, is a stratovolcano on the Pacific Ring of Fire. UPSC often tests volcano types: composite (stratovolcano) vs shield vs cinder cone.
Focus: Volcanism
World Cities by Population(1)
2026 · NDA IQ148 · Hard
World cities by degree of urbanisation
Under the UN Degree of Urbanization method (contiguous built-up area), the order for these cities is: Jakarta > Tokyo > Dhaka > New Delhi > Manila.
Focus: Geography