India Ranks 83rd in Q1 Henley Passport Index 2022; Japan & Singapore Tops<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n![\"India](\"https:\/\/www.gkseries.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/download-2022-01-13T181502.879.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nIndia<\/strong> has improved its position by seven places to rank at 83rd place<\/strong> among 111 countries in the latest Henley Passport Index<\/strong>, released for Q1 of 2022.<\/strong> India ranked at 90th spot among 116 countries in Q4 of 2021 in October.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThe Indian passport has visa-free access to 60 destinations worldwide in Q1 2022, as compared to 58 destinations in the fourth quarter of 2021. Oman and Armenia are the latest destinations where Indian passport holders can visit without obtaining a visa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The index shows that without taking temporary Covid-related restrictions into account, passport holders of the top nations \u2013 Japan and Singapore can now enter 192 destinations around the world visa-free. This is 166 more than Afghanistan, which sits at the bottom of the index. Afghanistan has world\u2019s least powerful passports, with visa-free score of 26.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
India\u2019s oldest sloth bear \u2018Gulabo\u2019 passes away at Van Vihar National Park at 40<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n![\"India\u2019s](\"https:\/\/www.gkseries.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/download-2022-01-13T181718.699.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nIndia\u2019s oldest sloth bear, fondly named Gulabo after being rescued from a madaari 15 years ago, died quietly at Van Vihar National Park in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh. Gulabo was the oldest sloth bear of the country. She died at the age of 40.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nShe was rescued from a street performer (Madaari) in May 2006, when she was 25 years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
PM Narendra Modi inaugurates 25th National Youth Festival in Puducherry<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n![\"PM](\"https:\/\/www.gkseries.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/download-2022-01-13T181935.643.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nOn the occasion of Swami Vivekananda Jayanti, which is observed as the National Youth Day all over India, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated the 25th National Youth Festival in Puducherry via video conferencing on January 12, 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The festival will be held virtually on January 12 and 13 owing to the ongoing coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic, according to a statement by the Prime Minister\u2019s Office (PMO).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As a part of the event, Prime Minister inaugurated the following at Puducherry:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nThe Prime Minister also inaugurated a Technology Centre of the MSME Ministry, established at Puducherry with an investment of about Rs. 122 crore. Perunthalaivar Kamarajar Manimandapam, an auditorium with an open-air theatre. It is constructed by the Government of Puducherry at a cost of about Rs 23 crores.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Selected essays on \u201cMere Sapno ka Bharat\u201d and \u201cUnsung Heroes of Indian Freedom Movement\u201d, selected from submissions by over 1 lakh youth on the two themes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tata group replaces Chinese mobile manufacturer Vivo as IPL title sponsor for 2022 & 2023<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n![\"Tata](\"https:\/\/www.gkseries.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/download-2022-01-13T182156.072.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nThe Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI)<\/strong> has informed that Tata group<\/strong> has replaced Chinese mobile phone manufacturer Vivo<\/strong> as the title sponsor of the Indian Premier League (IPL) for 2022 and 2023 seasons.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nThe multinational conglomerate will pay Rs. 300 crore per year<\/strong> as the title sponsor of IPL for the next two seasons.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThis is about 60% of what Vivo would have paid.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
DRDO successfully test-fires final deliverable configuration of Man Portable Anti-Tank Guided Missile<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n![\"DRDO](\"https:\/\/www.gkseries.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/download-2022-01-13T182432.620.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nDefence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)<\/strong> successfully flight tested the Man-Portable Anti-Tank Guided Missile (MPATGM) <\/strong>on January 11, 2022, in its final \u201cdeliverable configuration\u201d. MPATGM will be manufactured by Bharat Dynamics Limited at its facility in Bhanoor, Telangana.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nThe purpose of testing the missile was to check its consistent performance at a minimum range, which is\u00a0200-300 metres.<\/strong>\u00a0MPATGM has already completed similar successful test for maximum range of 4,000 metres. With this successful test of the MPATGM, the system is now ready for production in large numbers in India. MPATGM will be manufactured by Bharat Dynamics Limited at its facility in Bhanoor, Telangana.<\/p>\n\n\n\nWorld Bank projects India\u2019s GDP growth at 8.3% in FY22 & 8.7% in FY23<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n![\"World](\"https:\/\/www.gkseries.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/download-2022-01-13T182631.017.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nThe World Bank<\/strong> has projected the Indian economy to grow at the following rate in its \u2018Global Economic Prospects\u2019<\/strong> report released on January 11, 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n- FY 2021-2022 \u2013 8.3%<\/strong><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- FY 2022-2023 \u2013 8.7%<\/strong><\/li>
- FY 2023-2024 \u2013 6.8%<\/strong><\/li>
- World Bank has lowered the\u00a0Global economy<\/strong>\u00a0growth rate as follows:
- 2021 \u2013 5.5 percent<\/strong><\/li>
- 2022 \u2013 4.1 percent<\/strong><\/li>
- 2023 \u2013 3.2 percent<\/strong><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
UBS Projects India\u2019s GDP forecast at 9.1% in FY22 and 8.2% in FY23<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n![\"UBS](\"https:\/\/www.gkseries.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/download-2022-01-13T182858.841.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nSwiss brokerage UBS Securities<\/strong> has lowered the growth forecast of the Indian economy for the current financial year (FY22) to 9.1 %<\/strong> due to a massive surge in Omicron infections. Earlier this was estimated at 9.5 percent.<\/p>\n\n\n\nHowever, UBS Securities does not see the third wave impact extending to the next financial year as it has revised upwards its real GDP forecast to 8.2 %, up from 7.7 per cent earlier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Summary:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n- 2021-22 (FY22) \u2013 9.1%<\/strong><\/li>
- 2022-23 (FY23) \u2013 8.2%<\/strong><\/li>
- 2023-24 (FY24) \u2013 6.0%<\/strong><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
New Zealand spinner Ajaz Patel named ICC Player of the Month of December 2021<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n![\"New](\"https:\/\/www.gkseries.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/download-2022-01-13T183104.980.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nIndia<\/strong> has improved its position by seven places to rank at 83rd place<\/strong> among 111 countries in the latest Henley Passport Index<\/strong>, released for Q1 of 2022.<\/strong> India ranked at 90th spot among 116 countries in Q4 of 2021 in October.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Indian passport has visa-free access to 60 destinations worldwide in Q1 2022, as compared to 58 destinations in the fourth quarter of 2021. Oman and Armenia are the latest destinations where Indian passport holders can visit without obtaining a visa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The index shows that without taking temporary Covid-related restrictions into account, passport holders of the top nations \u2013 Japan and Singapore can now enter 192 destinations around the world visa-free. This is 166 more than Afghanistan, which sits at the bottom of the index. Afghanistan has world\u2019s least powerful passports, with visa-free score of 26.<\/p>\n\n\n\n India\u2019s oldest sloth bear, fondly named Gulabo after being rescued from a madaari 15 years ago, died quietly at Van Vihar National Park in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh. Gulabo was the oldest sloth bear of the country. She died at the age of 40.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n She was rescued from a street performer (Madaari) in May 2006, when she was 25 years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n On the occasion of Swami Vivekananda Jayanti, which is observed as the National Youth Day all over India, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated the 25th National Youth Festival in Puducherry via video conferencing on January 12, 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The festival will be held virtually on January 12 and 13 owing to the ongoing coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic, according to a statement by the Prime Minister\u2019s Office (PMO).<\/p>\n\n\n\n As a part of the event, Prime Minister inaugurated the following at Puducherry:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The Prime Minister also inaugurated a Technology Centre of the MSME Ministry, established at Puducherry with an investment of about Rs. 122 crore. Perunthalaivar Kamarajar Manimandapam, an auditorium with an open-air theatre. It is constructed by the Government of Puducherry at a cost of about Rs 23 crores.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Selected essays on \u201cMere Sapno ka Bharat\u201d and \u201cUnsung Heroes of Indian Freedom Movement\u201d, selected from submissions by over 1 lakh youth on the two themes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI)<\/strong> has informed that Tata group<\/strong> has replaced Chinese mobile phone manufacturer Vivo<\/strong> as the title sponsor of the Indian Premier League (IPL) for 2022 and 2023 seasons.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The multinational conglomerate will pay Rs. 300 crore per year<\/strong> as the title sponsor of IPL for the next two seasons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This is about 60% of what Vivo would have paid.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)<\/strong> successfully flight tested the Man-Portable Anti-Tank Guided Missile (MPATGM) <\/strong>on January 11, 2022, in its final \u201cdeliverable configuration\u201d. MPATGM will be manufactured by Bharat Dynamics Limited at its facility in Bhanoor, Telangana.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The purpose of testing the missile was to check its consistent performance at a minimum range, which is\u00a0200-300 metres.<\/strong>\u00a0MPATGM has already completed similar successful test for maximum range of 4,000 metres. With this successful test of the MPATGM, the system is now ready for production in large numbers in India. MPATGM will be manufactured by Bharat Dynamics Limited at its facility in Bhanoor, Telangana.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The World Bank<\/strong> has projected the Indian economy to grow at the following rate in its \u2018Global Economic Prospects\u2019<\/strong> report released on January 11, 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Swiss brokerage UBS Securities<\/strong> has lowered the growth forecast of the Indian economy for the current financial year (FY22) to 9.1 %<\/strong> due to a massive surge in Omicron infections. Earlier this was estimated at 9.5 percent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, UBS Securities does not see the third wave impact extending to the next financial year as it has revised upwards its real GDP forecast to 8.2 %, up from 7.7 per cent earlier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Summary:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nIndia\u2019s oldest sloth bear \u2018Gulabo\u2019 passes away at Van Vihar National Park at 40<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nPM Narendra Modi inaugurates 25th National Youth Festival in Puducherry<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nTata group replaces Chinese mobile manufacturer Vivo as IPL title sponsor for 2022 & 2023<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nDRDO successfully test-fires final deliverable configuration of Man Portable Anti-Tank Guided Missile<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nWorld Bank projects India\u2019s GDP growth at 8.3% in FY22 & 8.7% in FY23<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nUBS Projects India\u2019s GDP forecast at 9.1% in FY22 and 8.2% in FY23<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nNew Zealand spinner Ajaz Patel named ICC Player of the Month of December 2021<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
![\"Alikhan](\"https:\/\/www.gkseries.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/download-2022-01-13T183251.499.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n