NATIONAL UPDATES:
1. NHAI Extends ‘Clean Toilet Picture Challenge’
Initiative Till June 30: The National Highways
Authority of India (NHAI) has extended its citizen-centric ‘Clean
Toilet Picture Challenge’ initiative till 30 June, to improve cleanliness and
user experience at toilet facilities along National Highways.Under the extended
campaign, clean toilet photos submitted by highway users will be evaluated
daily, and eligible FASTag recharge rewards will be processed in a time-bound
manner, with credits made within five days of validation to the linked Vehicle
Registration Number (VRN).
The initiative is open to all National Highway commuters,
who can participate by uploading clear, geo-tagged and time-stamped photographs
via the Rajmargyatra mobile application.
2. India to Host Bharat Electricity Summit 2026 in New
Delhi: India will host the Bharat Electricity
Summit 2026, a global conference-cum-exhibition for the power and
electricity sector, from March 19 to 22, 2026, at Yashobhoomi, New Delhi.The
four-day summit will be held under the theme “Electrifying Growth. Empowering
Sustainability. Connecting Globally”, highlighting India’s leadership in the
global energy transition and fostering international cooperation in the
electricity sector.The summit will feature 50+ conference sessions, 500+
exhibitors, 25,000+ visitors, and 1,000+ delegates with 300 speakers, including
a Buyer–Seller Meet to promote global partnerships across the power and clean
energy value chain.
3. President Droupadi Murmu Appoints Praveen Vashista as
Vigilance Commissioner: President
Droupadi Murmu appointed Praveen Vashista as Vigilance
Commissioner in the Central Vigilance Commission, as informed by the
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions.Praveen Vashista took
oath before the Central Vigilance Commissioner, formally assuming charge as
Vigilance Commissioner.He has over 30 years of experience in law enforcement
and internal security and is a 1991-batch IPS officer (Bihar cadre), who served
on central deputation in the Ministry of Home Affairs as Joint Secretary,
Additional Secretary, and Special Secretary (Internal Security).The Central
Vigilance Commission Act, 2003, provides for the appointment of a Central
Vigilance Commissioner and two Vigilance Commissioners. The tenure of the
Vigilance Commissioner is of four years or till the incumbent attains the age
of 65 years.
4. Democracy
in Defensive Mode: Why 2026 Is a Stress Test for
Institutions Worldwide: As 2026 begins,
democracies across the world appear uneasy, defensive, and increasingly
fragile. The challenge they face is no longer confined to who wins elections or
which ideology dominates. It runs deeper — into the credibility of
institutions, the quality of governance, and the capacity of states to retain
public trust amid rapid social, economic and technological change. India is
often discussed as a special case, but its anxieties are part of a much wider
global pattern. For much of the post-war era, the democratic story
seemed linear. Rights would expand, institutions would deepen, and societies
would gradually internalise democratic norms. The expectation was that strong
structures would shape behaviour and reinforce values over time.That assumption
now appears inverted. Instead of democratic values strengthening institutions,
institutions are increasingly being asked to survive societies that are more
polarised, impatient and susceptible to populist narratives. Across Europe, North America, Asia and the Global South, democracies
are no longer primarily expanding rights — they are defending existing ones.
This shift from expansion to defence is a warning sign. Democracies that stop
moving forward often begin sliding backward.
5. SIR
2.0 and the Voter’s Ordeal: Why a Tech-First
Exercise Has Become a Source of Fear: The Special Intensive
Revision (SIR) 2.0 of electoral rolls was presented as a technology-driven
effort to clean voter lists while ensuring that no eligible Indian is excluded.
Instead, it has produced widespread anxiety, summoning even the most eminent
citizens to prove their identity. The episode has exposed a troubling paradox:
the Election Commission of India possesses sophisticated digital
infrastructure, yet continues to rely on coercive, paper-heavy processes that
shift the burden of institutional failure onto voters. SIR 2.0 was meant to
correct errors in electoral rolls, remove duplicates and include every eligible
resident. With the Election Commission’s digital backbone — ECINet — capable of
handling data entry, verification, audit trails and cross-checks, the
expectation was of a transparent, efficient, and citizen-friendly process.Instead,
the exercise has leaned heavily on physical forms, summons and in-person
hearings. This reliance on manual procedures has undermined the very premise of
a digital reform and reintroduced errors, delays and intimidation that
technology was meant to eliminate.
INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:
1. University of New South Wales to Open Bengaluru Campus
in August 2026: University of New South Wales
(UNSW), Australia, to open its Bengaluru campus at Manyata Tech Park in
August 2026, following the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU)
in the presence of Ministers M.B. Patil and M.C. Sudhakar.The campus will
initially offer undergraduate programmes in commerce, media, computer science,
and data science, along with a postgraduate programme in cyber security.
2. Ashwini Vaishnaw to Participate in G7 Critical
Minerals Ministerial Meeting in Washington DC: Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw will
participate in the G7 Critical Minerals Ministerial Meeting in Washington
DC, USA, aimed at strengthening global supply chains of strategic and
critical mineralsAshwini Vaishnaw highlighted that secure supply chains for
critical minerals are vital for achieving the vision of ‘Viksit Bharat’,
especially in high-technology and manufacturing sectors.
3. Yemen Appoints Shaya Mohsen Zindani as New Prime
Minister: Salem bin Breik resigned
from the post of Prime Minister of Yemen, leading to a leadership change
in the internationally recognised government.Shaya Mohsen Zindani, the sitting
Foreign Minister, has been appointed as Yemen’s new Prime Minister.
4. UAE,
Telangana Partner for Net-Zero Smart City Project: Telangana has secured international backing
for its flagship urban development initiative, Bharat Future City, with
the United Arab Emirates agreeing to collaborate on the
project. The announcement followed high-level discussions at the World Economic Forum in Davos, positioning the proposed city as India’s first net-zero
greenfield smart city and a key pillar of the state’s long-term economic
vision. The understanding was reached after a meeting between Abdulla bin Touq
Al Marri, UAE Minister of Economy and Tourism, and A Revanth Reddy, who led
the Telangana Rising delegation. The talks
focused on collaboration in large-scale infrastructure and urban development,
with Bharat Future City identified as a priority project. The Chief Minister’s
Office confirmed that both sides agreed to jointly develop the city as a
world-class global urban centre.
OTHER UPDATES:
DEFENCE
1. Indian Army Celebrates 78th Army Day with Parade in
Jaipur: Indian Army celebrated
its 78th Army Day on 15 January 2026 in Jaipur, Rajasthan, marking
the fourth time the Army Day parade was held outside Delhi.For the first time,
the parade was hosted outside an army cantonment, in the heart of Jaipur city,
and organized by the South Western Command.Bhairav Battalion contingents
participated for the first time, and the Nepal Army Band also took part in the
celebrations.
2. After
Op Sindoor: Why India’s Next Military Edge Lies in Strategic Messaging, AI, and
Joint Command: The
destruction of terror camps and the elimination of militants are essential for
restoring normalcy in Jammu and Kashmir. But
modern conflict is not decided only by body counts or bomb damage assessments.
The deeper objective is strategic — to impose costs on the adversary’s
military, puncture its myths at home, and send an unmistakable message of
intent that retaliation will reach the heartland. Operation Sindoor offered
India that opening. What it revealed, however, is that future advantage will
depend as much on narrative, integration, and technology as on firepower. The momentum of the
conflict decisively shifted on May 10, when Indian strikes hit key Pakistan Air
Force bases, including Nur Khan. This was not just a tactical blow; it struck
at Pakistan’s sense of military invulnerability. For the first time in recent
memory, the Pakistani public confronted the reality that its heartland and core
airbases were not beyond reach.Yet, the ceasefire followed swiftly, cutting
short the strategic advantage India had built. Militarily, lessons can be
internalised. Strategically, the greater loss was narrative space. The message
— that escalation would hurt Pakistan’s military deeply and visibly — did not
fully travel, either domestically or internationally.
SPORTS
1. MS Dhoni Appointed Goodwill Ambassador for Pune Grand
Tour 2026: MS Dhoni has
been appointed Goodwill Ambassador for the Pune Grand Tour 2026,
a five-day international road cycling event to be held in Pune from January 19
to 23, 2026.The Pune Grand Tour 2026 will be India’s first UCI-recognised
multi-stage (Category 2.2) Continental Road Cycling Race for men, covering a
437-km route across the Deccan Plateau and Sahyadri Range.The event will
feature 171 riders from 29 professional teams representing 35 countries, with
top international teams like Spain’s Burgos Burpellet BH, China’s Li Ning Star,
and Malaysia’s Terengganu Cycling Team participating.
2. Mitchell Starc and Laura Wolvaardt Named ICC Players
of the Month for December 2025: Mitchell Starc has been named ICC Men’s
Player of the Month for December 2025, following his outstanding
performance in Australia’s Ashes series victory at home, marking the first time
he has won this award.South Africa’s Laura Wolvaardt was named ICC Women’s
Player of the Month after key contributions in series victories over
Ireland in T20I and ODI formats, earning her second Player of the Month award
after previously winning in October 2025.
3. FIFA World Cup 2026 Trophy Unveiled in India by
Mansukh Mandaviya and Gilberto D’Silva: Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya and former
Brazilian footballer Gilberto D’Silva unveiled the FIFA World Cup
2026 trophy during its visit to India.The trophy stayed in Delhi for two days
before traveling to Guwahati for one day, allowing fans in India to witness it
up close.The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be jointly hosted by the United States,
Canada, and Mexico and will feature 48 teams for the first time
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
1. 16 January – National Startup Day: National Startup Day is observed every year on
16 January to recognise and promote India’s growing startup ecosystem.The
day highlights the role of startups and entrepreneurs in driving innovation,
employment generation, and economic growth.It aligns with the objectives of the
Startup India initiative, launched to support startups through policy reforms,
funding, and ease of doing business.
2. A
‘Solid–Liquid Hybrid’ at the Nanoscale: Why Scientists Say the Line Between
Phases Is Blurring: Scientists
from Germany and the U.K. have reported
evidence of an unusual new state of matter — one that behaves like a solid and
a liquid at the same time, but only at the nanoscale. Observed inside
individual metal nanoparticles, this solid–liquid hybrid challenges long-held
assumptions about how matter changes phase and could have important
implications for catalysts used in fuel cells and clean-energy technologies. The study, carried out by researchers from Ulm
University and the University of Nottingham, reports a previously unknown phase
behaviour in nanoparticles of platinum, palladium and gold. Their findings were published in ACS Nano.Rather than
being entirely solid or entirely liquid, individual nanoparticles were found to
exist in a hybrid state: parts of the same particle behaved like a solid, while
other parts behaved like a liquid. Importantly, this is not a macroscopic
mixture like slush or gel, but a single nanoparticle with different atomic
regions simultaneously occupying different phases.
BANKING AND FINANCE
1. Piramal Finance Secures $350 Million Multilateral
Funding from IFC and ADB: Piramal Finance
Limited has secured $350 million in multilateral funding from
the International Finance Corporation (IFC) – $200 million and the Asian
Development Bank (ADB) – $150 million, marking its first borrowing from
development finance institutions (DFIs).The funding is raised under the
company’s Sustainable Finance Framework, carries a five-year tenor, and will be
disbursed in tranches between January and March 2026.The capital will support
affordable housing finance, MSME lending, and credit to women borrowers and
entrepreneurs, particularly in tier-2 and tier-3 cities, with total
multilateral funding likely to reach $500 million by FY end.
AWARDS AND HONOURS
1. Karnataka Bank Wins ‘Best Fintech & DPI Adoption’
at IBA Banking Technology Awards: Karnataka Bank won the ‘Best Fintech & DPI
Adoption’ award at the Indian Banks’ Association Banking Technology
Awards, highlighting its progress in digital transformation and fintech
integration.The award recognises banks that effectively leverage fintech
solutions and India’s digital public infrastructure (DPI) to improve service
delivery, scalability, security, and customer impact.Karnataka Bank also
received runner-up for ‘Best Tech Talent’ and Special Mentions in ‘Best
Technology Bank’, ‘Best Digital Financial Inclusion’, and ‘Best Digital Sales’,
reflecting a comprehensive approach to digital banking.
2. Tunisian Filmmaker Zoubeir Jlassi Wins $1 Million AI
Film Award for ‘Lily’ at Dubai Summit: Tunisian filmmaker Zoubeir Jlassi won
the world’s largest AI Film Award for his film Lily, receiving a $1
million prize from Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum at the 1
Billion Followers Summit in Dubai.The award saw 3,500 film submissions and
involved a jury of 40 experts reviewing over 400 hours of content, with
shortlisted films undergoing AI verification via Google Gemini to ensure at
least 70% generative AI usage.The film Lily tells the story of a lonely
archivist confronting guilt and seeking redemption after a hit-and-run,
highlighting the award’s goal of encouraging AI-driven storytelling that
promotes humanitarian values and culturally meaningful content. It was the
fourth edition of the summit. It was organised in partnership with Google
Gemini.
3. American Scientist Toby Kiers
Wins Tyler Prize for Revealing Hidden Fungal Networks: American evolutionary biologist Toby Kiers has
won the Tyler Prize for Environmental Achievement, often referred to as
the “Nobel for the environment,” for her pioneering research on underground
fungal networks. She led efforts to map the global distribution of mycorrhizal
fungi through a worldwide Underground Atlas, bringing attention to hidden
below-ground biodiversity. Her research provides crucial insights to guide
conservation strategies, as these fungal networks play a key role in carbon
storage and ecosystem health.
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