Ramesh Chand Committee

• To update WPI base year to 2022–2023, government formed a group led by National Institution for Transforming India (NITI) Aayog's Ramesh Chand.
• WPI update aims to improve the precision of factory-gate inflation measures and offer assessment of producer-level inflation.
• Committee plans to transition from WPI to a Producer Price Index (PPI), covering both products and services.
• The base year was shifted from 2004–05 to 2011–12 in 2015, marking the most recent WPI modification.
• The group has 18 months to make its recommendations and consists of 18 specialists from a variety of professions.
• It is expected to enhance the accuracy of real GDP estimation, provide more comprehensive data on inflation trends.

India has made new amendments to its Foreign Trade Policy 2023

• Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) has revised Foreign Trade Policy 2023 to incorporate more stakeholder on January 3, 2025.
• New FTP provisions mandate that importers, exporters, and industry experts must consult with stakeholders.
• It establishes a transparent process for stakeholders to be informed about the acceptance or rejection of their input.
• The government, despite promoting stakeholder participation, still holds the power to act independently.
• Policy aims to achieve $2 trillion in exports by 2030, with products and services requiring yearly growth rates of 10.86% and 17.15%.
• Policy focuses on 4 pillars i.e. ease of business, export promotion, encouragement to remission, and e-commerce.
• FTP 2023 emphasizes continuity and adaptation, incorporating feedback mechanisms to address new issues.

Logistics Ease Across Different States (LEADS) report 2024

• LEADS 2024 report recognized 13 states and Union Territories as "achievers" in logistics performance declared on January 3, 2025.
• States are categorized into "achievers," "fast movers," and "aspirers" based on their logistics performance.
• In which Kerala, West Bengal being ‘aspirants’ and Goa, Andhra Pradesh as ‘fast movers’ categorized.
• Key LEADS Pillars are Logistics Infrastructure, Logistics Services, Operating and Regulatory Environment, and Sustainable Logistics.
• LEADS provides a more reliable assessment of logistics capabilities than World Bank's Logistics Performance Index (LPI).
• LEADS framework's emphasizing the need for multi-modal hubs, regional logistics plans, and last-mile connectivity.

EPFO launched Centralized Pension Payments System (CPPS)

• CPPS introduced by Employees' Provident Fund Organization (EPFO) to modernize pension disbursement on January 3, 2025.
• It enables over 68 lakh Indian retirees to access their benefits from any bank branch.
• CPPS ensures direct transfer of pension funds to pensioners' accounts by eliminating the need for physical verification.
• Starting January 2025, pension payments will become easier for retirees who relocate or switch banks.
• EPFO launched two pilot initiatives in October and November 2024, providing ₹11 crore to 49000 and ₹213 crore to 9.3 lakh pensioners.
• In December 2024, EPFO distributed ₹1570 crore to over 68 lakh pensioners under the CPPS.
• CPPS is part of EPFO's plan to enhance pension accessibility, streamline services, and improve pension payment efficiency.

Outbreak of scrub Typhus in Tamil Nadu (Health & Nutrition)

• Scrub typhus, caused by bacteria Orientia tsutsugamushi, is transmitted through bites of infected larval mites.
• Scrub typhus has been reported in several districts of Tamil Nadu, including Chennai, Kanchipuram etc.
• Scrub typhus symptoms include fever, headache, exhaustion, rashes, heart failure, organ failure, and pneumonitis.
• Molecular and Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) blood tests are being used to confirm diagnosis.
• High-risk populations include individuals with compromised immune systems, farmers, outdoor labourers etc.
• Preventive measures include avoiding high-risk areas, permethrin insect repellents, wearing protective clothing etc.
• Cause of Outbreak are changes in land use, increased human activity in rural areas, and climatic variables.

National Sports Awards 2024

• National Sports Awards 2024 will be given on January 17, 2025, at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi.
• A selection committee led by Justice V. Ramasubramanian, comprised of athletes, sports journalists, and administrators.
• Applications were invited online, allowing sportspersons, coaches, and entities to self-apply through a dedicated online portal.
• The annual awards aim to recognize and acknowledge sporting achievements, inspiring players, coaches, and organizations.

Odisha declared unseasonal rain as a natural calamity

• Odisha government declared Unseasonal rain as a natural calamity during "Krushi Odisha Conclave" in Bhubaneswar on January 3, 2025.
• By unseasonal rain approximately 226791 hectares of cropland were damaged, and 666720 farmers reported crop losses.
• To compensate farmers who are impacted, government pledged ₹291 crore from State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF).
• Under relief measures, farmers who experience crop losses of more than 33% are eligible for financial aid.
• It has been claimed that at least seven farmers committed suicide because of stress brought on by crop loss.
• State representatives are assessing damage and assisting affected farmers with help distribution with local authorities.
• There is a need for robust agricultural policies, improved forecasting and enhanced crop insurance programs.

Uttarakhand has developed an action plan to protect its glacial lakes

• 5 high-risk glacial lakes in Uttarakhand, located in Chamoli and Pithoragarh districts, are classified as Category A by National Disaster Management Authority on January 3, 2025.
• Uttarakhand will receive ₹30 crore from the NDMA's ₹150 crore allocation for glacial lake research in India.
• It will utilize thermal imaging and water-level sensors to develop early warning systems and monitor glacier lakes in real-time.
• Glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs) have occurred in Uttarakhand in the past, notably the 2013 Kedarnath tragedy.
• Uttarakhand's vulnerability to GLOFs is evident as over 6353 sq. km of land are at risk from potential GLOFs.
• Climate change is predicted to accelerate glacier melting leading to Uttarakhand's avg. temp. rising by 1.6 to 1.9°C by 2050.
• It monitors and risk mitigation for GLOFs with Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology and Indian Institute of Remote Sensing.