- The effects of India’s rapidly expanding auto industry are now seen on a worldwide scale. India became the third-largest auto market in the world last year, surpassing Japan, according to a Nikkei Asia study. This ranking is headed by China, with the United States coming in second. Data from Nikkei Asia indicates that China sold the highest number of automobiles worldwide in 2022. In China, a total of 26.27 million automobiles have been sold. At the same time, America, which sold 15.4 million vehicles, came in second. According to early sources, India sold somewhere between 4.25 million and 4.2 million new cars overall, while Japan sold 4.2 million cars.
- On January 13, 2023, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will start the world’s longest river cruise, which would journey from Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, to Dibrugarh, Assam, via Bangladesh. This will be the world’s biggest river voyage made by a single river ship. In 50 days, the “Ganga Vilas Cruise” will travel 4000 kilometres along 27 different river systems, including the Ganga-Bhagirathi-Hooghly, the Brahmaputra, and the West Coast Canal.
- A draft of new regulations for online gambling enterprises has been prepared by the central government. As a result, a provision has been inserted to make it necessary to verify these companies’ Indian addresses in addition to setting up a self-regulatory structure for them. Online gaming companies will be subject to the new IT Act, per the draught of the new guidelines (Information Technology Rules). The year 2021 saw the issuance of these regulations for social media firms. By January 17, the ministry is seeking feedback from the public on the proposed regulations for online gaming. The new regulations are then anticipated to be completed at the start of February.
- The announcement of the 17th Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Awards (PBSA). These prizes have been chosen for 27 NRIs. It is the highest honour given to Indians living abroad for their exceptional accomplishments abroad. From January 8 to January 10, the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas convention will be held in Indore, Madhya Pradesh. Among those chosen for the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman award are a doctor from Brunei, a Bhutanese professor, and 27 community welfare workers from nations including Ethiopia, Israel, and Poland, among others. The President’s Award will be given to each of these individuals. The Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award is given to NRIs—people of Indian descent who have achieved exceptional things abroad—or to organisations they run.
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- In a recent ruling, the Supreme Court affirmed the Central Government’s decision to discontinue the 500 and 1000 rupee notes in 2016. This decision was made by the Supreme Court after it dismissed 58 petitions that the Modi administration’s decision to demonetize currency. With a vote of 4:1, a 5-judge constitutional bench led by Justice Abdul Nazeer decided in favour of demonetization. The judges ruled that it was impossible to modify economic judgements. Prior to this, on December 7, following five days of deliberation, a five-judge constitutional bench presided by by Justice Abdul Nazeer reserved its decision. Participants included Justices Abdul Nazeer, BR Gavai, A.S. Bopanna, V. Ramasubramanian, and B.V. Nagaratna.
- The National Green Hydrogen Mission, with a budget of Rs 19,744 crore, was authorised by the Union Cabinet. India is to become a centre for fuel cell and environmentally friendly hydrogen generation worldwide. India is anticipated to have a 5 MMT hydrogen production capacity under the project by 2030. Anurag Thakur, the Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting, informed reporters that the National Green Hydrogen Mission had received approval from the Union Cabinet, which is presided over by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
- To establish campuses in India, foreign universities must receive University Grants Commission (UGC) approval. The draught regulation for “Setting up and Operating of Campuses of Foreign Higher Educational Institutions in India,” which outlines the requirements for establishing campuses, was made public by UGC Chief M. Jagadesh Kumar. The head of the UGC announced that foreign colleges with campuses in the nation must offer full-time courses in person; online or distance learning will not be permitted. Foreign colleges wishing to establish campuses in India would initially only be granted permission for a period of ten years, and they will be able to determine their own admission requirements and pricing schedules.
- Sandeep Singh, a minister in Haryana, will have further challenges to overcome after losing the sports department due to the sexual harassment of a young female coach. The lady coach gave the police some proof during the scenario reenactment at the minister’s home in Chandigarh. Sandeep Singh, a minister for Haryana, is currently facing further challenges. The junior women’s coach’s torn clothing was seized by the Chandigarh police department. The case against Sandeep Singh has also been amended to include section 509 of the IPC.
- The Hooghly river in West Bengal is being used to construct the country’s first underwater tunnel. It is being built as a part of Kolkata’s East-West Metro route. It will cost about Rs 120 crore. After the tunnel is built, the metro will be able to travel 520 metres underwater in about 45 seconds. According to a recent report from the Kolkata Metro Rail Corporation (KMRC), India’s first underwater tunnel could be finished by December 2023. The Hooghly River’s underwater metro train system will link the cities of Kolkata and Howrah.