National News
- IRDAI Limits Senior Citizens’ Health Premium Hike to 10% Annually 🏥: The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) has introduced a new directive to protect senior citizens from sharp increases in health insurance premiums. Insurers are now prohibited from raising premiums for individuals aged 60 and above by more than 10% per year without prior approval from IRDAI.
- Article 224A: Appointing Retired Judges as Ad Hoc Judges in High Courts ⚖️: Article 224A of the Indian Constitution allows the Chief Justice of a High Court to request a retired judge, with the previous consent of the President, to serve as an ad hoc judge. These judges are entitled to allowances determined by the President and possess the jurisdiction, powers, and privileges of a High Court judge during their tenure.
- Empowering Women in Odisha: The Subhadra Scheme and IIM Sambalpur’s Role 🌸: The Subhadra Scheme, a flagship initiative of the Odisha Government’s Women and Child Development Department, aims to empower women through financial support, enhanced digital literacy, and access to social safety nets. The scheme has already begun to make a significant impact on the socio-economic conditions of women and their families.
- Economic Survey 2025: Nirmala Sitharaman Tables the 2024-25 Report – A Detailed Analysis 📊: The Economic Survey 2024-25 highlights India’s steady economic growth with a projected 6.4% GDP growth in FY25. Key focus areas include stable inflation, strong trade performance, and efforts to attract foreign direct investment (FDI) for manufacturing and technology.
- NPCI Implements Stricter UPI Rules from Feb 1, 2025 💳: The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) has announced new compliance measures for Unified Payments Interface (UPI) transactions, which will take effect from February 1, 2025. UPI transaction IDs must now be strictly alphanumeric, with special characters no longer allowed.
International News
- Finvasia and YES Bank Introduce Jumpp Super App for Digital Finance 📱: Finvasia and YES Bank have launched Jumpp, a super app that combines banking, payments, savings, investing, and borrowing into one platform. The app aims to promote financial inclusion, especially in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, and plans to onboard 1 million users by January 2026.
- HDFC and Startup India Launch ‘Manufacturing Accelerator Program’ to Boost Innovation in the Sector 🏭: HDFC, in collaboration with Startup India’s Bharat Startup Grand Challenge, has launched the Manufacturing Accelerator Program to foster innovation and drive growth in India’s manufacturing sector.
multiple-choice questions (MCQs) based on the current affairs of January 31, 2025, along with their answers:
MCQs with Answers
- What directive has the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) issued regarding senior citizens’ health insurance premiums? 🏥
- a) No increase allowed
- b) Annual hike limited to 5%
- c) Annual hike limited to 10%
- d) Annual hike limited to 15%
- Answer: c) Annual hike limited to 10%
- Under which article can retired judges be appointed as ad hoc judges in High Courts? ⚖️
- a) Article 216
- b) Article 224A
- c) Article 230
- d) Article 244
- Answer: b) Article 224A
- What is the name of the scheme aimed at empowering women in Odisha? 🌸
- a) Subhadra Scheme
- b) Lakshmi Scheme
- c) Nari Shakti Scheme
- d) Shakti Scheme
- Answer: a) Subhadra Scheme
- What is the projected GDP growth rate for India in FY25 according to the Economic Survey 2024-25? 📊
- a) 5.8%
- b) 6.2%
- c) 6.4%
- d) 7.0%
- Answer: c) 6.4%
- From which date will the new UPI compliance measures by NPCI take effect? 💳
- a) February 1, 2025
- b) March 1, 2025
- c) April 1, 2025
- d) May 1, 2025
- Answer: a) February 1, 2025
- What is the name of the super app launched by Finvasia and YES Bank for digital finance? 📱
- a) PayNow
- b) Jumpp
- c) FinTech
- d) E-Bank
- Answer: b) Jumpp
- Which organization has collaborated with HDFC to launch the Manufacturing Accelerator Program? 🏭
- a) NITI Aayog
- b) Startup India
- c) Make in India
- d) Invest India
- Answer: b) Startup India
- What initiative aims to make public services more accessible and inclusive in Tripura? 🌐
- a) Digital India Program
- b) Bhashini MoU
- c) E-Governance Project
- d) Smart City Mission
- Answer: b) Bhashini MoU
- Who tables the Economic Survey in India? 📊
- a) Prime Minister
- b) Finance Minister
- c) President
- d) Chief Economic Advisor
- Answer: b) Finance Minister
- Which state launched four welfare schemes on Republic Day aimed at supporting farmers and marginalized communities? 🏗️
- a) Maharashtra
- b) Tamil Nadu
- c) Telangana
- d) Kerala
- Answer: c) Telangana