Daily GK Update- 14th Jan, 2026

 

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Bengaluru Tops India’s 2025 Women-Friendly Cities Ranking for Safety and Employmen: Bengaluru has been ranked India’s best city for women in 2025, topping a nationwide study on urban inclusion by effectively combining strong social infrastructure with wide industrial and employment opportunities.The study, released by Avtar, assessed 125 cities across India; Bengaluru secured the highest City Inclusion Score of 53.29, followed by Chennai (49.86) and Pune (46.27), with Hyderabad and Mumbai completing the top five.The index is based on a two-pillar framework: Social Inclusion (safety, health, education, mobility and liveability) and Industrial Inclusion (formal employment, skilling, corporate diversity practices and workforce participation).

 

2. NHAI Sets Four Guinness World Records During Construction of Bengaluru–Kadapa–Vijayawada Corridor: NHAI created four Guinness World Records during construction of the Bengaluru–Kadapa–Vijayawada Economic Corridor (NH-544G), showcasing unprecedented speed and scale in highway paving works.On January 6, two global records were set near Puttaparthi, including the longest continuous laying of bituminous concrete (28.89 lane km) and the highest quantity laid in 24 hours (10,655 metric tons).Two more records were achieved on January 11, with continuous paving of 156 lane km and laying of 57,500 metric tons of bituminous concrete, surpassing the previous world record.The 343 km, access-controlled six-lane corridor will significantly cut travel time by nearly four hours, boost regional connectivity in Andhra Pradesh, and support economic growth once completed.

 

3. 12 January – National Youth Day: National Youth Day is observed on 12 January every year to commemorate the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda.Theme 2026 – Ignite the Self, Impact the WorldThe day celebrates the ideas, ideals, and teachings of Swami Vivekananda, which continue to inspire India’s youth.It aims to motivate young people towards nation-building, character development, and social responsibility.

 

4. 11 January – National Human Trafficking Awareness Day: National Human Trafficking Awareness Day is observed on 11 January to raise awareness about human trafficking and promote efforts to prevent this serious crime.The day highlights the need to protect vulnerable groups, especially women and children, from exploitation, forced labour, and trafficking.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. US Withdraws from 66 International Organisations, Including UN Bodies and ISA: The United States, under President Donald Trump, has withdrawn from 66 international organisations, including 31 UN entities and 35 non-UN organisations, citing that membership is contrary to US interests.The withdrawal covers prominent bodies such as the International Solar Alliance (India-France-led), Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), Science and Technology Centre in Ukraine, and the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs.Trump signed a memorandum titled “Withdrawing the United States from International Organisations, Conventions, and Treaties that are Contrary to the Interests of the United States”, directing all executive departments to implement the withdrawal immediately.For UN entities, withdrawal involves ceasing participation and funding to the extent allowed by law, marking a significant shift in US engagement with multilateral institutions.

 

2. UN Projects India’s GDP Growth at 7.4% in 2025-26: India’s economic growth is projected at 4% for the current financial year (2025-26), driven primarily by strong consumption and public investment, according to the UN DESA World Economic Situation and Prospects 2026 report.The report forecasts India’s GDP growth at 6.6% in 2026-27 and 6.8% in 2027-28, supported by recent tax reforms, monetary easing, and targeted policy measures that boost domestic demand.Global headline inflation is projected to decline from 3.4% in 2025 to 3.1% in 2026, but high costs of food, energy, and housing continue to strain real incomes, especially for low-income households, contributing to inequality.

 

3. Yemen Names Shaya Zindani as Prime Minister After Breik Resignation: Yemen’s internationally recognised government has witnessed a leadership change after Prime Minister Salem bin Breik submitted his resignation. The Saudi-backed Presidential Leadership Council (PLC) accepted the move and appointed Foreign Minister Shaya Mohsen Zindani as the new prime minister, tasking him with forming a fresh cabinet at a politically sensitive moment for the war-torn country. Salem bin Breik formally tendered his resignation on Thursday, which was swiftly accepted by the PLC. Following this, Shaya Mohsen Zindani was named to succeed him, with official confirmation issued through Yemen’s state news agency. The council directed Zindani to begin consultations to form a new cabinet in line with existing governance arrangements under the internationally recognised administration.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

DEFENCE

 

1. Military–Civil Fusion Exercise “Sanjha Shakti” Held at Khadki Military Station: The Military Civil Fusion exercise “Sanjha Shakti” was conducted at the Diggi Range, Khadki Military Station, under the aegis of MG & G Area, Southern Command.Over 350 personnel from 16 civilian agencies, including Maharashtra Police, Force One, and Fire Fighting Departments, participated alongside the Indian Army.

 

2. 10th Defence Forces Veterans’ Day Observed Nationwide: India marked the 10th Defence Forces Veterans’ Day on January 14, 2026, with nationwide events honouring the service, sacrifice and continued contribution of ex-servicemen. Rallies, wreath-laying ceremonies, grievance redressal counters and facilitation help desks were organised across States and Union Territories, reflecting the country’s institutional and social commitment towards veterans. Rajnath Singh reiterated the Government’s resolve towards veterans’ welfare, highlighting implementation of One Rank One Pension and expansion of the Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme. Emphasis was laid on telemedicine, rural health outreach, skill development, priority employment in public enterprises and encouragement for veteran entrepreneurship to ensure dignity and self-reliance in post-retirement life.

 

SPORTS

 

1. Nihal Sarin Clinches Tata Steel Chess India 2026 Open Rapid Title: Nihal Sarin emerged as the champion of the Open Rapid section at Tata Steel Chess India 2026 in Kolkata, scoring 6.5 points from nine games with five wins and three draws, while former world champion Viswanathan Anand finished second with six points.This is Nihal Sarin’s second Open Rapid title at Tata Steel Chess India (first in 2022), earning him a cash prize of $10,000, and he was a late entry replacing reigning world champion D Gukesh.

 

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

 

1. Huntington’s Disease Research Offers New Hope for Treatment: Huntington’s disease (HD), a progressive and inherited neurological disorder, has long been regarded as incurable. Affecting movement, cognition, and emotional regulation, the condition is usually diagnosed between the ages of 30 and 50, with patients typically surviving 15–20 years after diagnosis. Although rarer than Alzheimer’s disease, HD has a profound social impact because it strikes during prime working and family-raising years. New research, however, is beginning to reshape prospects for treatment. HD is caused by an abnormal expansion of CAG DNA repeats in the Huntingtin (HTT) gene, first identified in 1993. Healthy individuals have fewer than 35 repeats, while counts above 39 inevitably lead to HD. Longer repeats are associated with earlier symptom onset. Beyond inheritance, the repeat length can further expand in certain cells over a lifetime, a process known as somatic expansion, which influences how rapidly the disease progresses.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. Skydo Receives RBI Approval to Operate as Cross-Border Payment Aggregator: Skydo, a cross-border payments platform for exporters, has received final authorisation from the RBI to operate as a Payment Aggregator–Cross Border (PA-CB).The license will strengthen trust with SMB and enterprise customers, as well as global banks and payment partners, while enabling Skydo to scale payment volumes and expand across products and corridors.

 

2. IEPFA Organises Niveshak Shivir in Bengaluru to Resolve Unclaimed Investment Claims: The Investor Education and Protection Fund Authority (IEPFA), under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, in collaboration with SEBI and Market Infrastructure Institutions (MIIs), organised a Niveshak Shivir in Bengaluru to facilitate the resolution of unclaimed dividends, shares, and pending IEPFA claims.The one-day investor facilitation camp provided a single-window platform for grievance redressal, claim assistance, KYC and nomination updates, with active participation from over 900 investors across Karnataka.The event was attended by senior officials from IEPFA, SEBI, MIIs, RTAs, BSE and CDSL, including Smt. Anita Shah Akella, CEO, IEPFA, highlighting strong institutional support for investor services.IEPFA launched an explainer booklet, “A Complete Guide to IEPFA Claims and Investor Services”, to enhance investor awareness and ensure smoother claim resolution.The Bengaluru camp followed successful editions of Niveshak Shivir held earlier in Pune, Hyderabad, Jaipur and Amritsar.

 

3. RBI Revises WMA Limits to Strengthen Cash Management for States and UTs: The RBI has included the Government of NCT of Delhi (GNCTD) under its standard cash management framework, fixing a Ways and Means Advances (WMA) limit of ₹890 crore effective from January 9, 2026.With Delhi’s inclusion, the aggregate WMA limit for all States and UTs increased to ₹61,008 crore from ₹60,118 crore, while limits for other States and UTs remain unchanged.WMAs are short-term liquidity facilities provided by the RBI to manage temporary cash mismatches and do not expand borrowing capacity or finance fiscal deficits, ensuring continued fiscal discipline.Structurally, the move is significant as it aligns Delhi with RBI’s institutional cash management system, improves liquidity planning, enhances transparency, and strengthens sub-national fiscal stability without impacting markets or long-term debt.

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. Indian Navy’s First Training Squadron Embarks on Long Range Deployment to Southeast Asia: The Indian Navy’s First Training Squadron (1TS) will conduct a Long Range Training Deployment to Southeast Asia as part of the 110th Integrated Officers’ Training Course (IOTC), visiting Singapore, Indonesia, and Thailand.The deployment includes INS Tir, INS Shardul, INS Sujata, and Indian Coast Guard Ship Sarathi, providing officer trainees with operational and cross-cultural exposure while reinforcing India’s maritime engagement under the Act East Policy.During port calls, the squadron will engage in professional interactions, training exchanges, and joint exercises with host navies and maritime agencies, enhancing interoperability and mutual understanding.The deployment reflects India’s vision for a free, open, and inclusive Indian Ocean Region, includes six international officer trainees, and involves personnel from the Indian Army and Air Force to strengthen jointness and operational cohesion.

 

 

 NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Bengaluru Tops India’s 2025 Women-Friendly Cities Ranking for Safety and Employmen: Bengaluru has been ranked India’s best city for women in 2025, topping a nationwide study on urban inclusion by effectively combining strong social infrastructure with wide industrial and employment opportunities.The study, released by Avtar, assessed 125 cities across India; Bengaluru secured the highest City Inclusion Score of 53.29, followed by Chennai (49.86) and Pune (46.27), with Hyderabad and Mumbai completing the top five.The index is based on a two-pillar framework: Social Inclusion (safety, health, education, mobility and liveability) and Industrial Inclusion (formal employment, skilling, corporate diversity practices and workforce participation).

 

2. NHAI Sets Four Guinness World Records During Construction of Bengaluru–Kadapa–Vijayawada Corridor: NHAI created four Guinness World Records during construction of the Bengaluru–Kadapa–Vijayawada Economic Corridor (NH-544G), showcasing unprecedented speed and scale in highway paving works.On January 6, two global records were set near Puttaparthi, including the longest continuous laying of bituminous concrete (28.89 lane km) and the highest quantity laid in 24 hours (10,655 metric tons).Two more records were achieved on January 11, with continuous paving of 156 lane km and laying of 57,500 metric tons of bituminous concrete, surpassing the previous world record.The 343 km, access-controlled six-lane corridor will significantly cut travel time by nearly four hours, boost regional connectivity in Andhra Pradesh, and support economic growth once completed.

 

3. 12 January – National Youth Day: National Youth Day is observed on 12 January every year to commemorate the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda.Theme 2026 – Ignite the Self, Impact the WorldThe day celebrates the ideas, ideals, and teachings of Swami Vivekananda, which continue to inspire India’s youth.It aims to motivate young people towards nation-building, character development, and social responsibility.

 

4. 11 January – National Human Trafficking Awareness Day: National Human Trafficking Awareness Day is observed on 11 January to raise awareness about human trafficking and promote efforts to prevent this serious crime.The day highlights the need to protect vulnerable groups, especially women and children, from exploitation, forced labour, and trafficking.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. US Withdraws from 66 International Organisations, Including UN Bodies and ISA: The United States, under President Donald Trump, has withdrawn from 66 international organisations, including 31 UN entities and 35 non-UN organisations, citing that membership is contrary to US interests.The withdrawal covers prominent bodies such as the International Solar Alliance (India-France-led), Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), Science and Technology Centre in Ukraine, and the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs.Trump signed a memorandum titled “Withdrawing the United States from International Organisations, Conventions, and Treaties that are Contrary to the Interests of the United States”, directing all executive departments to implement the withdrawal immediately.For UN entities, withdrawal involves ceasing participation and funding to the extent allowed by law, marking a significant shift in US engagement with multilateral institutions.

 

2. UN Projects India’s GDP Growth at 7.4% in 2025-26: India’s economic growth is projected at 4% for the current financial year (2025-26), driven primarily by strong consumption and public investment, according to the UN DESA World Economic Situation and Prospects 2026 report.The report forecasts India’s GDP growth at 6.6% in 2026-27 and 6.8% in 2027-28, supported by recent tax reforms, monetary easing, and targeted policy measures that boost domestic demand.Global headline inflation is projected to decline from 3.4% in 2025 to 3.1% in 2026, but high costs of food, energy, and housing continue to strain real incomes, especially for low-income households, contributing to inequality.

 

3. Yemen Names Shaya Zindani as Prime Minister After Breik Resignation: Yemen’s internationally recognised government has witnessed a leadership change after Prime Minister Salem bin Breik submitted his resignation. The Saudi-backed Presidential Leadership Council (PLC) accepted the move and appointed Foreign Minister Shaya Mohsen Zindani as the new prime minister, tasking him with forming a fresh cabinet at a politically sensitive moment for the war-torn country. Salem bin Breik formally tendered his resignation on Thursday, which was swiftly accepted by the PLC. Following this, Shaya Mohsen Zindani was named to succeed him, with official confirmation issued through Yemen’s state news agency. The council directed Zindani to begin consultations to form a new cabinet in line with existing governance arrangements under the internationally recognised administration.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

DEFENCE

 

1. Military–Civil Fusion Exercise “Sanjha Shakti” Held at Khadki Military Station: The Military Civil Fusion exercise “Sanjha Shakti” was conducted at the Diggi Range, Khadki Military Station, under the aegis of MG & G Area, Southern Command.Over 350 personnel from 16 civilian agencies, including Maharashtra Police, Force One, and Fire Fighting Departments, participated alongside the Indian Army.

 

2. 10th Defence Forces Veterans’ Day Observed Nationwide: India marked the 10th Defence Forces Veterans’ Day on January 14, 2026, with nationwide events honouring the service, sacrifice and continued contribution of ex-servicemen. Rallies, wreath-laying ceremonies, grievance redressal counters and facilitation help desks were organised across States and Union Territories, reflecting the country’s institutional and social commitment towards veterans. Rajnath Singh reiterated the Government’s resolve towards veterans’ welfare, highlighting implementation of One Rank One Pension and expansion of the Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme. Emphasis was laid on telemedicine, rural health outreach, skill development, priority employment in public enterprises and encouragement for veteran entrepreneurship to ensure dignity and self-reliance in post-retirement life.

 

SPORTS

 

1. Nihal Sarin Clinches Tata Steel Chess India 2026 Open Rapid Title: Nihal Sarin emerged as the champion of the Open Rapid section at Tata Steel Chess India 2026 in Kolkata, scoring 6.5 points from nine games with five wins and three draws, while former world champion Viswanathan Anand finished second with six points.This is Nihal Sarin’s second Open Rapid title at Tata Steel Chess India (first in 2022), earning him a cash prize of $10,000, and he was a late entry replacing reigning world champion D Gukesh.

 

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

 

1. Huntington’s Disease Research Offers New Hope for Treatment: Huntington’s disease (HD), a progressive and inherited neurological disorder, has long been regarded as incurable. Affecting movement, cognition, and emotional regulation, the condition is usually diagnosed between the ages of 30 and 50, with patients typically surviving 15–20 years after diagnosis. Although rarer than Alzheimer’s disease, HD has a profound social impact because it strikes during prime working and family-raising years. New research, however, is beginning to reshape prospects for treatment. HD is caused by an abnormal expansion of CAG DNA repeats in the Huntingtin (HTT) gene, first identified in 1993. Healthy individuals have fewer than 35 repeats, while counts above 39 inevitably lead to HD. Longer repeats are associated with earlier symptom onset. Beyond inheritance, the repeat length can further expand in certain cells over a lifetime, a process known as somatic expansion, which influences how rapidly the disease progresses.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. Skydo Receives RBI Approval to Operate as Cross-Border Payment Aggregator: Skydo, a cross-border payments platform for exporters, has received final authorisation from the RBI to operate as a Payment Aggregator–Cross Border (PA-CB).The license will strengthen trust with SMB and enterprise customers, as well as global banks and payment partners, while enabling Skydo to scale payment volumes and expand across products and corridors.

 

2. IEPFA Organises Niveshak Shivir in Bengaluru to Resolve Unclaimed Investment Claims: The Investor Education and Protection Fund Authority (IEPFA), under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, in collaboration with SEBI and Market Infrastructure Institutions (MIIs), organised a Niveshak Shivir in Bengaluru to facilitate the resolution of unclaimed dividends, shares, and pending IEPFA claims.The one-day investor facilitation camp provided a single-window platform for grievance redressal, claim assistance, KYC and nomination updates, with active participation from over 900 investors across Karnataka.The event was attended by senior officials from IEPFA, SEBI, MIIs, RTAs, BSE and CDSL, including Smt. Anita Shah Akella, CEO, IEPFA, highlighting strong institutional support for investor services.IEPFA launched an explainer booklet, “A Complete Guide to IEPFA Claims and Investor Services”, to enhance investor awareness and ensure smoother claim resolution.The Bengaluru camp followed successful editions of Niveshak Shivir held earlier in Pune, Hyderabad, Jaipur and Amritsar.

 

3. RBI Revises WMA Limits to Strengthen Cash Management for States and UTs: The RBI has included the Government of NCT of Delhi (GNCTD) under its standard cash management framework, fixing a Ways and Means Advances (WMA) limit of ₹890 crore effective from January 9, 2026.With Delhi’s inclusion, the aggregate WMA limit for all States and UTs increased to ₹61,008 crore from ₹60,118 crore, while limits for other States and UTs remain unchanged.WMAs are short-term liquidity facilities provided by the RBI to manage temporary cash mismatches and do not expand borrowing capacity or finance fiscal deficits, ensuring continued fiscal discipline.Structurally, the move is significant as it aligns Delhi with RBI’s institutional cash management system, improves liquidity planning, enhances transparency, and strengthens sub-national fiscal stability without impacting markets or long-term debt.

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. Indian Navy’s First Training Squadron Embarks on Long Range Deployment to Southeast Asia: The Indian Navy’s First Training Squadron (1TS) will conduct a Long Range Training Deployment to Southeast Asia as part of the 110th Integrated Officers’ Training Course (IOTC), visiting Singapore, Indonesia, and Thailand.The deployment includes INS Tir, INS Shardul, INS Sujata, and Indian Coast Guard Ship Sarathi, providing officer trainees with operational and cross-cultural exposure while reinforcing India’s maritime engagement under the Act East Policy.During port calls, the squadron will engage in professional interactions, training exchanges, and joint exercises with host navies and maritime agencies, enhancing interoperability and mutual understanding.The deployment reflects India’s vision for a free, open, and inclusive Indian Ocean Region, includes six international officer trainees, and involves personnel from the Indian Army and Air Force to strengthen jointness and operational cohesion.