Current affairs 19 January 2025

India Ranked as 3rd Largest Start-Up Ecosystem with Over 100 Unicorns.

• India ranks as the 3rd largest start-up ecosystem, boasting 100+ unicorns, reflecting its strong entrepreneurial spirit.
• Union Minister Jitendra Singh inaugurated the CSIR Innovation Complex (CSIR-IC) in Mumbai, a hub for start-up incubation with advanced infrastructure.
• The event included 50 technology transfers to start-ups, MSMEs, and institutions.

India's First Private Satellite Constellation Launched by Pixxel.

• Pixxel Space launched Firefly, India's first private satellite constellation, marking a milestone in hyper-spectral imaging.
• Firefly satellites, launched via SpaceX, provide the world’s highest-resolution hyperspectral images, benefiting sectors like agriculture and defense.
• It can observe the earth in over 150 bands.

India Witnesses Exponential Growth in Digital Transactions.

• India has seen an exponential rise in digital transactions, led by UPI, with 16.73 billion transactions in December 2024, reaching Rs 23.25 lakh crore.
• IMPS & NETC FASTag have become key players facilitating faster & more accessible financial transactions.
• UPI's growth highlights a shift toward financial inclusivity, with IMPS & FASTag contributing to India's move towards a cashless economy.

Development of Single Platform for Transport is Underway in Mumbai.

• This platform will allow people to plan their journey using a single ticket across the metro, monorail, BEST buses, MSRTC buses & suburban railways.
• Commuters will be able to plan their route through an application, where AI will provide information on the nearest station & available public transport options.
• This new platform will facilitate seamless travel for lakhs of commuters in Mumbai.

PM Modi Distributes 65 Lakh Property Cards Under SVAMITVA Scheme.

• These property cards were distributed in 50000 villages across 10 states & 2 UTs.
• SVAMITVA: Survey of Villages and Mapping with Improvised Technology in Village Areas.
• Launched by: Ministry of Panchayati Raj.
• It aims to establish clear ownership rights in rural areas by mapping land parcels using drone technology.
• It particularly targets unsurveyed villages where residents lack land rights.