National

The Bharatpol portal is a new initiative developed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in India. It was launched by Union Home Minister Amit Shah on January 7, 2025. The portal aims to streamline international cooperation in criminal investigations by enabling real-time information sharing among Indian law enforcement agencies and their international counterparts through Interpol.

Key features of the Bharatpol portal

Real-time information sharing: Facilitates faster access to international police assistance.
Streamlined requests: Simplifies the process of requesting international assistance, including the issuance of Red Notices and other color-coded notices.
Enhanced efficiency: Helps field-level police officers deal with crimes and security challenges more effectively.
Common platform: Brings all stakeholders on a single platform for better coordination.

The development of Bharatpol was necessitated by the growing footprint of transnational crimes, such as cyber-crime, financial crimes, online radicalization, organized crimes, drug trafficking, and human trafficking. The portal is expected to significantly enhance India’s efforts in combating these crimes by providing easier and faster access to international assistance.

Launch Date and Location: India’s First Organic Fisheries Cluster announced on January 6, 2025, in the Soreng district of Sikkim. Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh announced the launch at the Northeastern Region States Meet 2025 in Guwahati.

Initiative: Part of the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) aiming for sustainable and eco-friendly aquaculture.

Organic Focus: Utilizes ecologically healthy fish farming methods, avoiding harmful chemicals, antibiotics, and pesticides.

Economic and Environmental Benefits: Expected to boost farmer incomes, support eco-friendly food production, and minimize environmental pollution.

Market Potential: Targets lucrative domestic and international markets for organic products.

Financial Support: NABARD will provide financial and technical assistance, supporting fisheries-based Farmer Producer Organizations (FFPOs) and fishers’ cooperatives.

India’s metro systems have revolutionized urban travel, expanding to cover over 1,000 km across 11 states and 23 cities, making India the third-largest metro network globally after China and the United States. This milestone was achieved with the launch of several metro development projects by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on January 5, 2025.

Key Projects Launched:

Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut Namo Bharat Corridor: 13 km section enhancing connectivity between Delhi and Meerut.
Rithala-Kundli Section: 26.5 km section strengthening links between Delhi and Haryana.

These projects are expected to serve over 1 crore daily passengers, reflecting the significant impact of metro expansion on urban mobility.

Historical Development:

1984: Metro development in India began with Kolkata’s first metro line.
1995: Establishment of the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC).
2002: DMRC opened its first metro corridor.
2011-2020: Development of metro systems in Bengaluru, Chennai, and Kochi.

Recent Advancements:

Under-Water Metro: Inaugurated by PM Modi in 2024, featuring the first under-water metro tunnel in Kolkata.
Driverless Metro: Launched in 2020 on Delhi Metro’s Magenta Line.
Kochi Water Metro: Launched in 2021, connecting islands around Kochi using electric hybrid boats.

The French Navy’s nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, Charles De Gaulle, arrived in Goa on January 4, 2025, to participate in the 42nd annual bilateral naval exercise Varuna with the Indian Navy.

The French Carrier Strike Group, including Rafale Marine fighter aircraft, received a ceremonial welcome at Goa’s Mormugao port.

The exercise aims to enhance interoperability, foster mutual understanding, and strengthen Indo-French naval ties.

France and India regularly collaborate to ensure maritime safety in the Indian Ocean.

Since 2008, France has been a member of the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS), a forum initiated by India to address issues like illegal trafficking, fishing violations, sea rescue, and pollution.

Indo-French Strategic Partnership

India and France have been strategic partners since 1998, with robust military cooperation reflected in bilateral exercises: Shakti (land), Varuna (sea), and Garuda (air).

Since 2022, French Navy vessels have made 16 port calls to India, showcasing operational collaboration.

Border Fencing with Myanmar:

• Over 9 km of fencing has been completed at Moreh in Manipur as of January 2025.
• The Border Road Organisation (BRO) is working on constructing 21 km of fence and road, a project awarded in February 2024.

India-Myanmar Border Details:

• Total border length: 1,643 km.
• States along the border: Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram.
• Border demarcation completed for 1,472 km out of 1,643 km.

Hybrid Surveillance Projects:

• Two pilot projects of Hybrid surveillance systems are under construction in Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur.

Union Home Ministry Report: The fencing and surveillance initiatives were highlighted in a report published by the ministry recently.

India will host the World Audio Visual Entertainment Summit (WAVES) 2025 from February 5th to 9th at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, marking its first-ever hosting of this global event. The summit aims to position India as a global hub for content creation and foster collaborations in the media and entertainment industry.

Key focus areas include AVGC (Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, and Comics), technological advancements, sustainable production, and global market strategies, attracting industry leaders and innovators worldwide.

India’s first glass bridge over the sea was inaugurated in Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu, on 30 December 2024 by Chief Minister MK Stalin.

The 77-meter-long bridge, built at a cost of ₹37 crores, connects the 133 ft tall Saint Tiruvalluvar statue (renamed as the “Statue of Wisdom”) with the Vivekananda Rock Memorial.

Part of the silver jubilee celebrations of the Tiruvalluvar statue, the bridge offers tourists a breezy walk with a clear view of the sea below.