1.India Adds Four New Ramsar Sites
On 31st January 2025, India added four new Ramsar sites, bringing the total to 89. The new sites include Sakkarakottai Bird Sanctuary and Therthangal Bird Sanctuary in Tamil Nadu, Khecheopalri Wetland in Sikkim, and Udhwa Lake in Jharkhand.
Key Points
- Ramsar Site Tally: India now has 89 Ramsar sites, making it the country with the most Ramsar sites in Asia and the third globally.
- Tamil Nadu’s Achievement: Tamil Nadu becomes the state with the highest number of Ramsar sites, totaling 20.
- Special Milestones for Sikkim & Jharkhand: Both states added their first Ramsar sites, marking significant environmental progress.
- World Wetlands Day Announcement: The announcement was made ahead of World Wetlands Day, highlighting India’s commitment to wetland conservation.
2.Finance Minister Presents Budget 2025-26
On 1st February 2025, Finance Minister presented the first full-fledged budget of the third term of the NDA government, with key proposals aimed at reducing taxes and boosting the economy.
Key Points
- Nil Tax Slab Expansion: The Nil Tax Slab is now extended up to 12 lakh rupees, with a total income of 12.75 lakh rupees for salaried individuals being tax-free after including the standard deduction of 75,000 rupees.
- New Income Tax Slabs:
- No tax for income up to 4 lakh rupees
- 5% tax for 4 to 8 lakh rupees
- 10% tax for 8 to 12 lakh rupees
- 15% tax for 12 to 16 lakh rupees
- 20% tax for 16 to 20 lakh rupees
- 25% tax for 20 to 24 lakh rupees
- 30% tax for income above 24 lakh rupees
- Tax Relief for Senior Citizens: The tax deduction limit on interest for senior citizens is doubled from 50,000 to 1 lakh rupees.
- TDS on Rent: The annual TDS limit on rent is raised from 2.4 lakh rupees to 6 lakh rupees, reducing the burden on small taxpayers.
- Revenue Impact: The government will forgo 1 lakh crore rupees in direct taxes and 2600 crore rupees in indirect taxes as a result of these changes.
- Economic Growth Focus: The budget aims at accelerating growth, inclusive development, and enhancing the spending power of the middle class to stimulate consumption, savings, and investment.
3.Aadhaar Authentication Expanded
On 31st January 2025, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) notified the Aadhaar Authentication for Good Governance (Social Welfare, Innovation, Knowledge) Amendment Rules, 2025, aiming to enhance service delivery and promote good governance through expanded Aadhaar usage.
Key Points
- Enhanced Aadhaar Utility: The amendment extends Aadhaar authentication to both government and private entities, enabling seamless access to services in e-commerce, travel, tourism, hospitality, and healthcare.
- Promoting Innovation and Knowledge: The rules aim to foster innovation, knowledge dissemination, and ease of living for residents by allowing Aadhaar-based transactions for public services.
- Streamlined Approval Process: Entities seeking Aadhaar authentication will apply to the relevant government ministry, with UIDAI reviewing and MeitY issuing approval.
- Boosting Transparency: The amendment is designed to improve transparency and inclusivity in governance, promoting trusted transactions for service seekers and providers.
4.PM Dhan Dhanya Krishi Yojana
On 1st February 2025, Union Finance Minister announced the launch of the PM Dhan Dhanya Krishi Yojana, aiming to enhance agricultural productivity and improve the livelihoods of 1.7 crore farmers across India.
Key Points
- Key Objectives: The scheme focuses on improving crop diversification, post-harvest storage, irrigation infrastructure, and increasing credit availability for farmers.
- Rural Development: It aims to create opportunities in rural areas, reducing migration by enhancing local economic prospects.
- Self-Sufficiency in Pulses: The government will launch a six-year mission to achieve self-sufficiency in pulses and a comprehensive program for vegetables and fruits.
- Support for Bihar Farmers: A Makhana Board will be established in Bihar to support local farmers.
- Urea Supply Boost: A new urea plant will be set up in Assam with an annual capacity of 12.7 lakh metric tonnes.
- 10 Broad Focus Areas: The budget emphasizes improving the lives of the poor, youth, farmers, and women.
5.Sachin Tendulkar
On 1st February 2025, Legendary cricketer Sachin Tendulkar was honored with the BCCI’s Lifetime Achievement Award at the Board’s annual gala in Mumbai, marking a significant milestone in his career.
- Tendulkar will become the 31st recipient of the BCCI’s prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award, which was established in 1994 to honor India’s first cricket captain, Col. C.K. Nayudu.
- The former cricketer, who retired in 2013, has set unmatchable records in international cricket, including the highest number of runs in both Test and ODI formats.
- Tendulkar’s remarkable career includes 15,921 runs in Tests and 18,426 runs in ODIs, the most by any player in the history of the game.
- He holds the record for the most appearances in both formats, having played 200 Test matches and 463 ODIs throughout his career.
- In 2023, the prestigious award was conferred upon former India head coach Ravi Shastri and wicket-keeper Farokh Engineer, recognizing their outstanding contributions to the sport.