Economy
- State Bank of India announced a reduction in its external benchmark-based rate by 25 basis points to - 7.80 percent (w.e.f 1 January).
Environment
- According to the biennial “India State of Forest Report (ISFR)” of Forest Survey of India (FSI), the total forest and tree cover of the country is - 80.73 million hectare (24.56% of the geographical area of India).
- Top three states showing increase in forest cover - Karnataka (1,025 sq. km), Andhra Pradesh (990 sq km) and Kerala (823 sq km).
International
- First country in the world, whose domestic airlines will replace both Pratt and Whitney (P and W) engines on their entire fleet of Airbus 320neo aircraft by the early part of 2020 - India.
National
- According to the second edition of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) India Index, three states that moved up from the ‘Aspirant’ category to the ‘Performer’ category - Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Assam.
- According to the second edition of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) India Index, five states that moved up from the ‘Performer’ category to the ‘Front Runner’ category - Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Goa, and Sikkim.
- First rank in the composite SDG Index with a score of 70 – Kerala (2nd - Himachal Pradesh; 3rd - Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Tamil Nadu.
- A function was organized on 30 December to commemorate the 76th Anniversary of First Flag Hoisting by Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose at - Port Blair.
- Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) launched the phase-1 services of this project under which issuance of commercial pilot licence (CPL) has been automated - e-Governance (eGCA) project.
- Airports Authority of India (AAI) is in the process of seeking environmental clearance from the Ministry of Environment for three, first-of-its-kind in the country, water aerodromes in - Andaman & Nicobar Islands (in Long Island, Swaraj Island and Shaheed Island).
Persons in News
- NASA Astronaut who created a record for the longest single spaceflight by a woman with 289 days in space - Christina Koch.
- New Chairperson & Managing Director (CMD) of Shipping Corporation of India - H.K. Joshi.
- New Labour Commissioner - Dr Noonsavath Thirumala Naik.
- This state’s Assembly Speaker Vikho-o Yhoshu died on 30 December in Mumbai - Nagaland.
Sports
- Location of the third Khelo India Youth Games which will be held from January 10 to 22 in – Guwahati, Assam.
- Winner of the 10m senior category event of RR Lakshya Cup, an all-India invitation air-rifle tournament - Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar.
Science
- Scientists at this Indian university have developed a low-cost security ink that may help detect counterfeit currency - Shiv Nadar University.
General Knowledge
- The Khelo India Programme was launched in – 2016.
- Shipping Corporation of India - Founded: 1961 (02 October); Headquarters: Mumbai.
- Airports Authority of India (AAI) was founded in – 1995 (01 April).
- Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is headquartered in - New Delhi.
