** Which two cities of India have recently been added to the ‘Wetland Cities of the World’ list by UNESCO?

Udaipur and Indore 

• Indore and Udaipur became the first cities in India to be recognised under the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands.
• China tops the global list with 22 recognised cities, while France is second with 9 cities.

** Who has recently been declared the mascot of Kho Kho World Cup 2025?

Tara and Tejas

• On January 3, 2025, Kho Kho Federation of India (KKFI) unveiled the trophy and mascot for the Kho-Kho World Cup 2025.
• India is set to host the inaugural edition of the Kho Kho World Cup at the IGI Stadium in Delhi from January 13 to 19.

What is the name of India’s first indigenous micro-missile system designed to counter swarm drones?

Bhargavastra

• Bhargavastra is India’s first micro-missile system developed in India to counter drone swarm threats.
• Bhargavastra has been developed by Economic Explosives Limited (EEL), a subsidiary of Nagpur-based Solar Group.

Flamingo Festival 2025 is celebrated in which state?

Andhra Pradesh

• The Flamingo Festival 2025 returns to Andhra Pradesh after a four-year break, celebrating migratory birds, especially flamingos, at Pulicat Lake and Nelapattu Bird Sanctuary.
• The event covers five key locations: Nelapattu Bird Sanctuary, Atakanithippa, BV Palem (Pulicat Lake), Sullurpet’s Government Junior College, and Sri City.

** Which player did Jannik Sinner defeat in the final of the 2025 Australian Open?

Alexander zverev

• Jannik Sinner raised his eyes and arms to the heavens after retaining his Australian Open title on 26 January.
• Jannik Sinner of Italy and Madison Keys of the United States won the men’s and women’s singles titles of the 2025 Australian Open Grand Slam tennis event respectively.

** In which state India’s first ‘Generation Beta’ child is born?

Aizawl (Mizoram)

•  At a hospital in the northeastern state’s capital Aizawl, the first baby in the country from the so-called ‘Generation Beta’ was born. 
• The Generation Beta, which followed Gen Z and Millennials before them, will be a term applicable to those born between 2025 and 2039.
• The term was reportedly coined by futurist Mark McCrindle.

** Which Indian female cricketer has been selected as the ICC Women’s ODI Cricketer of the Year?

Smriti Mandhana

• Indian women’s team vice-captain Smriti Mandhana has been named the ICC Women’s ODI Cricketer of the Year for her outstanding performance in the ODI format in 2024.
• She has become the second cricketer to win the ICC Women’s Cricketer of the Year award twice. Apart from her, New Zealand’s Suzie Bates has achieved this feat.

** Who has recently won the women’s singles title in India Open Badminton, 2025?

An Se-young

• Paris 2024 Olympic champions Viktor Axelsen of Denmark and An Se-young of Republic of Korea registered stunning victories to win the men’s and women’s singles titles respectively at the India Open 2025 badminton tournament in New Delhi.
• An Se-young of South Korea defeated Ponnpawee Chochuwong of Thailand 21-12, 21-9 in just 39 minutes in the women’s singles final.