- Greenfield airports are aviation facilities built from scratch on previously undeveloped or vacant land.

Main Point :-   (i) In a significant move to boost air connectivity, the proposed airport in Kota (Rajasthan) will be developed in two phases, with a total investment of ₹1,507 crore. Kota, a key educational and industrial hub, will benefit from this development, catering to the growing population and economic activity in the Hadoti region. This project is a major milestone in enhancing infrastructure and making air travel more accessible.

      (ii) The airport project in Kota is expected to be a game-changer for the region, aligning with the government's focus on improving regional connectivity. It will serve as a vital transportation link for the people of the Hadoti region and help foster economic growth. The development reflects the government's commitment to providing air travel access to even the most remote parts of the country.

(iii) In addition, the proposed airport in Puri (Odisha), a prominent pilgrimage destination, will be developed in three phases across 1,164 acres, with a total investment of ₹5,631 crore. Puri, home to the sacred Lord Jagannath Temple, will see a significant boost in religious tourism and regional development. The new airport will improve overall connectivity and cater to the growing number of pilgrims and tourists visiting the region.

Main Point :-   (i) Spanish midfielder Borja Herrera delivered an outstanding performance for FC Goa, scoring a brace with goals in the 23rd and 51st minutes. Serbian forward Dejan Drazic added to the tally with a third goal in the 71st minute, sealing a dominant 3-0 victory over Jamshedpur FC in the Kalinga Super Cup 2025 final.

      (ii) For his stellar performance, Borja Herrera was awarded the ‘Player of the Match’. With this triumph, FC Goa qualified for the AFC Champions League 2 (ACL2) Playoffs, marking their return to continental football after 4 years.

Main Point :-   (i) Brison Deuben Fernandes, midfielder of FC Goa, won the AIFF Promising Men’s Player of the Year award for 2024–25. He had an outstanding season in the Indian Super League (ISL), scoring 7 goals and providing 2 assists.

      (ii) Toijam Thoibisana Chanu made history as the first-ever centre-back to win the AIFF Promising Women’s Player of the Year for 2024–25. She led the Sribhumi FC defence, helping them secure 3rd place in the Indian Women’s League (IWL) as a newly-promoted team.

      - The aim of the collaboration is to strengthen cooperation in critical mineral processing and sustainable resource development.

Main Point :-   (i) Two separate JDIs were signed by Dr. Ramanuj Narayan (Director, CSIR-IMMT), one with Dr. Andrei I. Golinei (Director, Chemical Technology Unit, JSC Rosatom Science) and another with Dr. Michael R. Filonov (Vice Rector, NUST MISIS), in the presence of Anoop Kumar Srivastava, Counsellor (Space) from the Embassy of India in Moscow.

      (ii) The collaborations are coordinated by Dr. Kali Sanjay, Chief Scientist and Head of Business Development from CSIR-IMMT, and Dr. Konstantin V Ivanovskikh, Deputy Director for Science and Innovation, Griedmet JSC, and Dr. Korotchenko Natalia, Director, MISIS Information and Marketing Centre, NUST MISIS.

(iii) The collaboration focuses on research and development in process metallurgy, especially on technologies for extracting and processing critical minerals.

      - Similipal is divided into two divisions: the Similipal South Wildlife Division, which comprises seven ranges including Pithabata North, Nawana South, Jenabil, among others, and the Similipal North Wildlife Division, which includes four ranges such as Barrehipani, Chahala, Nawan North, and Talabandh wildlife ranges. The name ‘Similipal’ is derived from the ‘Simul’ (Silk Cotton) tree, which is abundantly found in the region.

Main Point :-   (i) Similipal hosts rich biodiversity, with more than 360 species of birds, 55 species of mammals including leopards and sambar, 62 species of reptiles, and 21 species of amphibians. It is notably home to around 40 wild tigers, including the world's only population of wild melanistic (black) tigers, and serves as a natural habitat for 25% of Odisha’s elephant population.

      (ii) The Similipal landscape spreads over 2,750 square kilometers, with approximately 2,306 square kilometers forming the Similipal Wildlife Sanctuary (WLS). This vast and ecologically significant area plays a crucial role in wildlife conservation and habitat protection within the state.

(iii) In 2007, the Odisha government notified 1,194.75 square kilometers of the Similipal Tiger Reserve (STR) as the core critical tiger habitat. Furthermore, since 2009, Similipal has been recognized as part of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) World Network of Biosphere Reserves (WNBR), highlighting its global ecological significance.

      - Under AB PM-JAY, approximately 1.03 crore families, covering around 3.52 crore individuals in Odisha, are set to benefit from the health insurance scheme. Each family will receive health coverage of up to ₹5 lakh per year, and senior citizens aged 70 and above will be eligible for free treatment up to ₹5 lakh regardless of income level.

Main Point :-   (i) A robust hospital network of around 29,000 empanelled hospitals, both within and outside Odisha, will accept the new health cards issued under the scheme, ensuring seamless access to healthcare services for beneficiaries.

      (ii) The Gopabandhu Jan Arogya Yojana, renamed from the earlier Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana (BSKY), focuses on providing healthcare access to the economically weaker sections in Odisha. It offers free health coverage of up to ₹5 lakh in rural areas and ₹6 lakh in urban areas, for all permanent residents selected under the scheme.

(iii) The Ayushman Vaya Vandana Yojana aims to support the health needs of senior citizens aged 70 years and above, irrespective of socio-economic background. The scheme ensures free access to essential medical treatments, removing financial barriers for the elderly.

      i. Petronet LNG Limited (PLL), headquartered in New Delhi and recognized as India’s largest importer of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), will invest ₹6,500 crore to set up an LNG import terminal at Gopalpur port, Odisha.

Main Point :-   (i) Additionally, Indian Strategic Petroleum Reserves Ltd (ISRPL), a Noida (Uttar Pradesh)-based special purpose vehicle (SPV), plans to invest ₹8,743 crore to construct a 4-million-tonne underground oil storage facility at Chandikhol, Odisha.

      (ii) These strategic investments are geared toward enhancing India’s domestic production capabilities, minimizing dependency on imports, and significantly boosting Odisha’s industrial ecosystem.

(iii) India’s petrochemical demand is projected to rise sharply from the current 30–35 million tonnes (Mt) to nearly 80 Mt by 2040, underscoring the importance of such infrastructure initiatives.

Main Point :-   (i) The OSA-AK (9K33) missile system, also known by its NATO designation SA-8 Gecko, is a low-altitude, short-range surface-to-air missile (SAM) system developed by the Soviet Union and inducted in 1972. It features a length of 9.14 meters, width of 2.75 meters, weight of 17.5 tonnes, and can engage targets up to a maximum range of 12 kilometers, making it highly effective for short-range aerial defense.

      (ii) Accommodates 5 crew members, equipped with NBC (Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical) protection, and uses TELAR (Transporter-Erector-Launcher and Radar) configuration for independent threat detection and engagement.

(iii) It is fully amphibious, air-transportable, and operational across varied terrains, with a road range of 500 km.

Main Point :-   (i) Overall, the data shows that most of the 12 major Indian ports recorded cargo traffic growth of 4.35%, reaching a total of 855 MMT in FY25, compared to 819.30 MMT in FY24.

      (ii) Mundra Port (Mumbai, Maharashtra), India’s largest commercial port operated by Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Limited (APSEZ), made history by becoming the first Indian port to cross 200 MMT of cargo handling. It recorded 200.7 MMT in FY25, showing an 11.5% rise from 180 MMT in FY24.

(iii) Indian Ports Association (IPA) Established in1966 under the Societies Registration Act, the Indian Ports Association (IPA) serves as a statutory body dedicated to promoting the coordinated growth and modernization of India’s major ports. It functions under the supervisory authority of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW), supporting policy formulation, development strategies, and performance improvement across the sector.

      - Bihar leads in the number of women entrepreneurs under PMMY with 4.2 crore beneficiaries, followed by Tamil Nadu with 4.0 crore and West Bengal with 3.7 crore. Maharashtra has the highest share of women account holders at 79%, followed by Jharkhand (75%) and West Bengal (73%).

Main Point :-   (i) Overall, women constitute 68% of all PMMY account holders, showcasing the scheme’s strong impact on women’s empowerment at the grassroots level.

      (ii) The share of PMMY loans has also grown significantly in states like Bihar (from 5.67% in FY16 to 10.97% in FY25), Uttar Pradesh (from 9.27% to 11.30%), and Odisha (from 4.24% to 4.51%).

(iii) Under PMMY, collateral-free loans of up to ₹20 lakh are provided through Member Lending Institutions in four categories—Shishu (up to ₹50,000), Kishor (₹50,000–₹5 lakh), Tarun (₹5–10 lakh), and Tarun Plus (₹10–20 lakh).

      - Under the scheme, beneficiaries will also receive key services such as toilets (Swachh Bharat Mission), LPG connections (PMUY), clean drinking water (JJM), and electricity (Saubhagya Yojana).

Main Point :-   (i) The scheme prioritizes households from disadvantaged groups, including persons with disabilities, widows, and those affected by natural disasters or development projects.

      (ii) A budget of Rs 2,600 crore has been allocated for the current financial year, with the remaining funds allocated over the next three years, aiming to provide homes for over 26 lakh people.

(iii) CM Majhi also inaugurated developmental projects worth Rs 617.51 crore, including the Juluko in-stream storage structures and a Rs 52 crore grid sub-station at Brundabahal, improving water and power infrastructure in Kalahandi.

Main Point :-   (i) Researchers from Maharaja Sriram Chandra Bhanja Deo University (MSCB University) in Baripada, Odisha, have discovered a new species of wild ginger in the Similipal Biosphere Reserve (SBR) located in the Mayurbhanj district of Odisha.

      (ii) The newly identified species has been named Zingiber jagannathii Sahu & Priyadarshini in honor of Lord Jagannath.

      - The missile showcased high agility, accuracy, and reliability with a sharp turn rate to destroy the target. All weapon system elements, including the indigenous RF seeker, Multi-Function Radar (MFR), and Weapon Control System (WCS), performed as expected. Flight data was validated using ITR Chandipur’s range instruments.

Main Point :-   (i) VL-SRSAM is a next-generation SAM designed by DRDO's facilities, including DRDL and RCI in Hyderabad and R&DE in Pune. It is manufactured by Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL), a CPSE under the Ministry of Defence.

      (ii) The missile is developed for the Indian Navy as a quick point defense against supersonic sea-skimming threats like aircraft and UAVs. It has a strike range of 50 km and can reach an elevation of 15 km.

(iii) VL-SRSAM weighs 170 kg, with a length of 3931 mm and a diameter of 178 mm. It features a smokeless propulsion system and advanced Electronic Counter-Counter Measures (ECCM) for enhanced combat effectiveness.

Main Point :-   (i) The event brought together government officials, industry leaders, researchers, and experts to explore strategies for achieving Net-Zero emissions in Bhubaneswar.

      (ii) A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between Dr. Vibha Dhawan, Director General of TERI, and Dr. Debi Dutta Tripathy, Additional Secretary to the Government of Odisha, to accelerate Odisha's clean energy transition.

(iii) Odisha has set specific milestones for its energy transition, aiming for completion by 2036, the 100th year of the state’s formation, and 2047, marking 100 years of India’s independence.

      - His notable works include "Kete Dinara" (1962), "Aneka Kothari" (1967), and "Sri Radha" (1984), the latter earning him the Saraswati Samman in 1992.

Main Point :-   (i) Ramakanta Rath 's magnum opus, "Sri Radha," delves into the spiritual complexities of Radha’s devotion to Krishna.

      (ii) He served as the Vice-President and later as the President of the Sahitya Akademi, promoting regional languages and Indian literature on national and international stages.

(iii) His contributions were recognized with multiple prestigious awards, including the Sahitya Akademi Award, Sarala Award, and the Padma Bhushan in 2006 for his exceptional contributions to literature.

Main Point :-   (i) This nematode is characterized by a medium-sized slender body, rounded lip region, large odontostyle, long pharynx, and distinct features in the female reproductive system, along with a uniquely shaped tail.

      (ii) Members of the Crassolabium genus display omnivorous and predatory behavior, although detailed research is ongoing to better understand their feeding habits.

(iii) With the addition of Crassolabium dhritiae, the global count of species in the Crassolabium genus rises to 39, including 9 species reported from India.

Main Point :-   (i) The partnership focuses on sustainable development by improving energy use, reducing costs, and enhancing public infrastructure. It also supports climate action through energy-efficient projects, clean cooking, electric mobility, and capacity-building initiatives.

      (ii) Odisha aims to lead in energy efficiency and sustainability, helping India achieve its Net Zero goals and a low-carbon future through modern technology and public-private partnerships.

      - The final match saw Jugraj Singh's brilliant hat-trick (25', 32', 35') and a decisive goal from Sam Lane (54’) securing the victory for Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers. Hyderabad Toofans put up a strong fight, with Gonzalo Peillat scoring twice (9', 39') and Amandeep Lakra contributing (26'), but they ultimately fell short in the 4-3 contest.

Main Point :-   (i) Key individual awards of the Men's HIL 2024-25 included Jugraj Singh (Top Scorer), Sukhjeet Singh (Player of the Tournament), and Bikramjit Singh (Best Goalkeeper). Arshdeep Singh was named Upcoming Player, while UP Rudras won the Fairplay Award.

      (ii) The Men's Hockey India League (HIL), organized by Hockey India, began in 2013 and ran until 2017 before returning with its 6th edition in 2024-25. Kalinga Lancers were the previous champions in 2017.

(iii) In January 2025, Odisha Warriors won the inaugural Women's HIL 2024-25, defeating Soorma Hockey Club 2-1 in Ranchi, Jharkhand, marking a milestone in Indian women's hockey.

Main Point :-   (i) The scheme primarily focuses on linking unconnected roads and improving existing village roads while also investing in civic services, sports, education, and small-scale tourism to improve rural living standards.

      (ii) The initiative supports Odisha’s goal of becoming a developed state by 2036 and aligns with India's national vision of 'Viksit Bharat by 2047.'

Main Point :-   (i) The facility will have a production capacity of 1,500 tonnes per day (TPD) and aims to accelerate clean energy adoption, lower carbon emissions, and promote sustainable industrial development.

      (ii) Casale will supply the Green Ammonia Process License, engineering designs, key equipment, and technical expertise to set up the facility.

(iii) Casale has licensed a total green ammonia capacity of 5,700 metric tonnes per day (MTD) in India to date.

Main Point :-   (i) During these tests, the surface-to-air missiles intercepted and completely destroyed targets with reduced thermal signatures, simulating low-flying drones in different flight conditions.

      (ii) These flight tests were conducted in the final deployment configuration, where two field operators performed weapon readiness, target acquisition, and missile firing.

Main Point :-   (i) A total of 145 Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) were signed during the conclave, attracting investment commitments worth Rs 16.73 lakh crore across various sectors, including chemicals & petrochemicals, textiles, mining & metallurgy, renewable energy (RE), Information Technology/Information Technology Enabled Services (IT/ITeS), tourism, and food processing.

      (ii) Apart from the signed MoUs, the Government of Odisha received 448 investment intention forms, reflecting a proposed investment of Rs 3.84 lakh crore.

      - 145 Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) were signed, totaling ₹12.89 lakh crore across 16 sectors.

Main Point :-   (i) PM Narendra Modi inaugurated the 38th National Games at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in Dehradun, Uttarakhand, marking the 25th anniversary of the state’s formation.

      (ii) The theme for the National Games 2025 is 'Green Games', emphasizing sustainability.

(iii) Yoga and Mallakhamb were included in the National Games for the first time.

      - Gram Sabhas of villages will be entrusted with the responsibility to carry out tree plantation and prepare need-based development plans.

Main Point :-   (i) Each village will receive Rs 15 lakh per annum, which will be directly deposited into the bank account of the respective gram sabha. Additionally, technical agencies will receive Rs 1 lakh for developing management plans.

      (ii) CFR management plans have been proposed in various districts of the state: Mayurbhanj, Balasore, Keonjhar, Sambalpur, Nayagarh, Kandhamal, Koraput, Malkangiri, Dhenkanal, and Bargarh.

(iii) As per MoTA, Maharashtra topped among states in recognizing Community Forest Resource Rights (CFRR), with 8,661 villages granted titles as of November 2024, followed by Chhattisgarh (with 4,328 titles), and Odisha (with 3,659 titles).

      - She gave Odisha Warriors the lead in the 2nd quarter, but Penny Squibb (28') equalized for JSW Soorma Hockey Club.

Main Point :-   (i) The Other Awards at the tournament included Savita Punia (JSW Soorma Hockey Club) winning the Best Goalkeeper award, while Jyoti Rumavat (JSW Soorma Hockey Club) was named the Player of the Tournament.

      (ii) The Top Scorers of the Tournament were Yibbi Jansen (Odisha Warriors) and Charlotte Englebert (JSW Soorma Hockey Club).

Main Point :-   (i) AB PM-JAY will be implemented in convergence with the existing Gopabandhu Jan Arogya Yojana (GJAY) in Odisha.

      (ii) The scheme will provide health insurance coverage of Rs 5 lakh per family annually, with an additional Rs 5 lakh for women members.

Main Point :-   (i) In 1989, Brijendra Pratap Singh began his career in the steel industry at the Iron Ore Mine of Bhilai Steel Plant (BSP), Chhattisgarh.

      (ii) Over the years, he has held key positions in frontline operations and leadership roles at four of SAIL's integrated steel plants: BSP, BSL (Bokaro Steel Limited), DSP, and ISP (Indian Iron and Steel Company (IISCO) Steel Plant).

(iii) Brijendra Pratap Singh has more than 35 years of experience in the mining and steel sectors.

      - Inaugurated the 18th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) convention and remotely flagged off the inaugural journey of the Pravasi Bharatiya Express in Bhubaneswar, Odisha.

Main Point :-   (i) PM Narendra Modi laid the foundation stones for a Bulk Drug Park in Anakapalli district and the Krishnapatnam Industrial Area (KRIS City) in Tirupati district, Andhra Pradesh, to boost economic activity through their proximity to the Visakhapatnam-Chennai Industrial Corridor and the Chennai-Bengaluru Industrial Corridor.

      (ii) In 2023, the Union Cabinet launched the National Green Hydrogen Mission (NGHM) with an investment of Rs. 19,744 crore, spanning from the Financial Year (FY) 2023-24 to FY 2029-30, aiming to position India as a global hub for the production, usage, and export of Green Hydrogen and its derivatives.

(iii) On 9th January 2025, PM Modi launched the Pravasi Bharatiya Express, a special tourist train that will begin its journey from Nizamuddin Railway Station in New Delhi.

      - With this expansion, India now boasts the third-largest metro network in the world, following China and the United States of America (USA).

Main Point :-   (i) i. PM Narendra Modi inaugurated the new Jammu Railway Division, which spans a total length of 742.1 kilometers (km).

      (ii) PM Narendra Modi also inaugurated the Charlapalli New Terminal Station in Medchal-Malkajgiri District, Telangana, including a new coaching terminal and the provision of a second entry at a cost of around Rs 413 crore.

(iii) PM Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone for the Rayagada Railway Division Building under the East Coast Railway in Odisha, with an estimated cost of Rs 107 crore.

      - The 18th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention will be held in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, from January 8 to 10, 2025, in collaboration with the Odisha State Government.

Main Point :-   (i) The Adivasi Mela is an annual event celebrating Odisha's tribal heritage and culture. This year, it will be held from January 5 to January 15, 2025.

      (ii) The scheme, named after Shaheed Madho Singh, a freedom fighter from Odisha, aims to reduce dropout rates and encourage students to continue their education.

(iii) The scheme offers a one-time incentive of Rs 5,000 per year to tribal students who pass Class 8 and advance to Class 9 or 10, as well as to those enrolling in Class 11. This benefit is available for the academic year 2024-2025 and is exclusively for Scheduled Tribe (ST) students whose family income does not exceed Rs 2,50,000 per year.

Main Point :-   (i) Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar was appointed as the new Governor of Kerala, replacing Arif Mohammed Khan.

      (ii) In Odisha, Hari Babu Kambhampati took over from Raghubar Das. Arif Mohammed Khan was moved to Bihar, replacing Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar. General (Dr.) V.K. Singh (Retired) was appointed as the new Governor of Mizoram, succeeding Hari Babu Kambhampati.

(iii) Additionally, Ajay Kumar Bhalla was appointed as the new Governor of Manipur, taking over from Lakshman Prasad Acharya. All the new appointments will be effective once the respective Governors assume charge of their offices.

Main Point :-   (i) The World Athletics Continental Tour, established in 2020, consists of events at different levels: bronze, silver, and gold. These levels represent the standard of competition and the prize money offered at each event.

      (ii) World Athletics (formerly known as the International Association of Athletics Federations, IAAF) is the organizer of the event.

      - The report calls for tailored, region-specific adaptation strategies.

Main Point :-   (i) Emphasis on collective efforts and innovative frameworks to address climate challenges.

      - Kerala, Rajasthan, and Goa boost tourism and foreign exchange earnings. Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh lead in infrastructure development. Rajasthan and Gujarat focus on renewable energy. Northeastern states improve connectivity, enhancing trade and tourism.

Main Point :-   (i) 25 states recorded over 7% GSDP growth in FY22 and FY23.

      (ii) 17 states achieved over 9% growth, including Gujarat and Kerala.

(iii) PHDCCI proposes a nine-pronged strategy for sustained growth.

      - PBD Convention is a key event of the Government of India (GoI) to connect with the Indian Diaspora.

Main Points:-   (i) The theme of PBD Convention for 2025 is "Diaspora's contribution to a Viksit Bharat".

      (ii) PBD has been celebrated since 2003 to mark the return of Mahatma Gandhi from South Africa (SA) to India on 9 January 1915.

(iii) The 1st PBD Convention was organized on 9-11 January 2003 in New Delhi, and the 17th PBD Convention was held from 8-10 January 2023 in Indore (Madhya Pradesh, MP).

      - There are two main types: Hypersonic Glide Vehicles (HGVs), launched by rockets and gliding to the target, and Hypersonic Cruise Missiles (HCMs), powered by air-breathing scramjet engines.

Main Points:-   (i) It has been developed through extensive research in various DRDO laboratories, particularly at the Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Missile Complex in Hyderabad, Telangana.

      (ii) While Russia and China are leading in hypersonic missile development, the U.S. is also making progress in this field. Other countries like France, Germany, Japan, and Israel are also involved in hypersonic weapon development.

Main Points:-   (i) This partnership aims to strengthen India's titanium value chain by converting low-grade ilmenite (Titanium oxide) into high-grade feedstock, also generating local employment opportunities.

      (ii) UKTMP JSC will provide the technology of producing Ti Slag and will take the agreed quantities for an input in their Ti sponge plant.

(iii) IREL (India) Limited is a Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) under the DAE. It was incorporated on August 18, 1950, with its first unit Rare Earths Division (RED) in Aluva (Kerala).

Main Points:-   (i)On 11th November 2024, DRDO handed over the Authority Holding Sealed Particulars (AHSP) of P-7 Parachute System to the Directorate General of Quality Assurance (DGQA) by the Agra (Uttar Pradesh-UP) based Aerial Delivery Research and Development Establishment (ADRDE), a DRDO laboratory.