Lokpal Day is scheduled to be observed on January 16
Lokpal of India has declared January 16 as "Lokpal Day," on January 2, 2025 with its inaugural celebration scheduled for January 16, 2025, featuring Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna.
It will honour the founding of Lokpal, a body that promotes accountability and transparency in government through investigation and resolution of public official misconduct.
Lokpal, a term coined by Dr. L. M. Singhvi in 1963, was introduced in the 1960s and became law in 2013 following the Anna Hazare movement.
2013 Lokpal Act established a selection committee to combat corruption, involving the Prime Minister, Speaker, Opposition Leader, Chief Justice, and a jurist.
Lokpal Body has a chairperson and up to 8 members, half of whom are judges, with Justice A. M. Khanwilkar as its current Chairperson.
Lokpal has the authority to investigate organizations like CBI and oversee foreign donations over Rs. 10 lakhs under the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act.
Lokpal plans to promote accountability in public service through outreach initiatives, public awareness campaigns, and stakeholder partnerships.
Economy and Banking
India updated its Gross domestic product (GDP) base year to 2022-23
Indian government has updated the base year for calculating GDP from 2011-12 to 2022-23 declared on January 2, 2024.
Base year serves as a benchmark for evaluating price fluctuations over time by standardizing the value of a basket of commodities.
It will align GDP statistics with indices such as Consumer Price Index (CPI) and Wholesale Price Index (WPI).
26-member Advisory Committee, led by Biswanath Goldar, will oversee the revision procedure.
India uses expenditure approach for GDP calculation, assessing government spending, household consumption, and investments,
GDP calculation also uses factor cost method for 8 sectors, including manufacturing and agriculture.
Central Statistics Office (CSO) gather macroeconomic data, including Industrial Production Index (IPI) and CPI, for precise GDP computations.
Science and Technology
ISRO to launch US Communications Satellite Bluebird
ISRO plans to launch American communications satellite in February or March 2025, marking a significant milestone in the US-Indian space collaboration.
AST SpaceMobile, a Texas-based company, is manufacturing the Bluebird satellite, which allows voice conversations using regular cellphones.
ISRO's GSLV rocket will launch the Bluebird satellite into low Earth orbit, weighing 6000 kg and featuring a 64 square metre antenna.
It will facilitating direct phone conversations from space, offering broadband internet access particularly in distant areas.
Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) is a medium-lift launcher used to put communication satellites into GTO (Geostationary Transfer Orbit).
GSLV, which began development in 1990, made its first successful flight in 2014 and has since made 6 consecutive successful flights.
GSLV variants Mk I, Mk II, and Mk III have varying payload capacities, with Mk III used for Chandrayaan-2 and upcoming human spaceflight.
State Affairs
Gujarat announced the creation of the 34th district, Vav-Tharad
Gujarat government has decided to divide Banaskantha district into Vav-Tharad on January 2, 2025, with Tharad as new district's headquarters.
The Vav-Tharad initiative has increased Gujarat's total district count to 34.
Vav-Tharad district consist of 8 talukas and 4 municipalities, while Banaskantha district have 6 talukas and 2 municipalities.
Vav-Tharad span 6257 sq. km, while new Banaskantha will cover 4486 sq. km.
Division is expected to enhance facility accessibility, it will be eliminating the need to drive 35-85 kilometres to district headquarters.
Division of Banaskantha, 2nd-largest district in terms of land, aims to improve service delivery and administrative effectiveness.
Establishment of Vav-Tharad is anticipated to generate increased government grants and funding.
