Daily GK Update- 19th Jan, 2026

 

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. NITI Aayog Releases Export Preparedness Index 2024: NITI Aayog released the Export Preparedness Index (EPI) 2024, the 4th edition of the index, which assesses export readiness across India’s States and Union Territories; the first edition was published in August 2020. and the vision of Viksit Bharat @2047, providing an evidence-based framework for strengthening subnational export ecosystems.The Index evaluates the strength, resilience, and inclusiveness of export systems at the State and district levels, while identifying structural challenges, growth drivers, and policy opportunities.The EPI 2024 framework is based on 4 pillars, 13 sub-pillars, and 70 indicators, enabling a granular and policy-relevant assessment of export preparedness.The four pillars are Export Infrastructure, Business Ecosystem, Policy & Governance, and Export Performance, covering areas such as logistics, finance, MSMEs, human capital, and trade facilitation.

 

2. Makaravilakku Festival Celebrations Commence at Sabarimala Temple in Kerala: The annual Makaravilakku festival celebrations have begun at the Sabarimala temple in Kerala, attracting thousands of devotees of Lord Ayyappa.The festival is observed on Makara Sankrama night, considered one of the most sacred occasions in the Sabarimala pilgrimage calendar.The highlight of the festival is the Makarajyothi, a divine celestial light that appears in the evening at Ponnambalamedu, witnessed by lakhs of pilgrims.

 

3. Government and Netflix Conclude ‘Inspiring Innovators – Naye Bharat Ki Nayi Pehchaan’ Initiative: The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser, in collaboration with Netflix Fund for Creative Equity, concluded the ‘Inspiring Innovators – Naye Bharat Ki Nayi Pehchaan’ initiative.The programme aimed to promote social innovation through impactful storytelling while training young creative talent across India.The initiative was implemented with the support of Graphiti Studios, focusing on nurturing innovation-driven narratives.

 

4. Centre Launches ‘Paripoorna Mediclaim Ayush Bima’ for CGHS Beneficiaries: The Department of Financial Services launched Paripoorna Mediclaim Ayush Bima for Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) beneficiaries, offering cashless treatment, modern medical procedures, and access to a wide hospital network.The policy is exclusively for CGHS beneficiaries, covering up to six family members per policy, and provides indemnity-based in-patient hospitalisation coverage within India.Beneficiaries can choose a sum insured of ₹10 lakh or ₹20 lakh, with an optional co-payment structure of 70:30 or 50:50 between the insurer and the subscriber.The insurance will be available as a retail product without GST to ensure affordability and can be purchased through New India Assurance Company Limited’s offices and online platform.

 

5. WEF Davos 2026 Begins With India in Spotlight : The “World Economic Forum” Annual Meeting 2026 begins today in Davos, Switzerland, bringing together more than 3,000 global leaders at a time of slowing growth, geopolitical strain, rapid technological change, and declining global trust. Held under the theme “A Spirit of Dialogue”, the five-day summit aims to revive cooperation between governments, businesses, and institutions amid mounting global uncertainty. Discussions at Davos this year are centred on economic resilience, artificial intelligence, energy transition, global risks, and geopolitics. Policymakers and corporate leaders are expected to debate how AI-led growth can be balanced with job creation, financial stability, and ethical governance. Climate finance, supply-chain resilience, and rebuilding trust in global institutions are also prominent on the agenda. For India, Davos remains a critical platform to project policy continuity, reform momentum, and openness to global capital. As the world’s fastest-growing major economy, India is positioning itself as a current engine of global growth rather than a future opportunity. The focus is on attracting long-term investment, integrating into global value chains, and strengthening partnerships in manufacturing, digital infrastructure, and clean energy.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. IPA Launches Pharmaceutical Academy for Global Excellence (PAGE) in Ahmedabad to Bridge Industry Skill Gap: The Indian Pharmaceutical Alliance (IPA) has launched the Pharmaceutical Academy for Global Excellence (PAGE) in Ahmedabad, Gujarat to address the gap between academic output and industry-ready skills in India’s pharmaceutical sector. The initiative was inaugurated in the presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah and the Gujarat Chief Minister, with IPA committing USD 50 million to establish and operate the programme.

 

2. Kochi to Host 9th International Spice Conference (ISC 2026) in February: Kochi, Kerala, will host the 9th International Spice Conference (ISC 2026) from February 23 to 26, bringing global focus to India’s role in the international spice economy.Organised by the All India Spices Exporters Forum (AISEF), the four-day conference themed “Spice 360 – Getting Future Ready” will address challenges like changing trade dynamics, climate change and evolving consumer preferences.The conference will be inaugurated by Amitabh Kant, former G20 Sherpa and ex-CEO of NITI Aayog, with Martin Sonntag, CEO of Oterra, attending as Guest of Honour.

 

3. Nagaland–Beijing Study Turns Apple Leaves into Corrosion Shield : A joint research collaboration between Indian and Chinese universities has unveiled a sustainable method to protect metals from corrosion using waste apple leaves. The breakthrough offers an eco-friendly alternative to toxic industrial inhibitors and highlights the growing role of green chemistry in infrastructure and manufacturing. The study was conducted by researchers from Nagaland University and the University of Science and Technology Beijing. Led by Prof. Ambrish Singh and Prof. Yujie Qiang, the international team focused on converting discarded apple leaves into high-performance corrosion inhibitors. The collaboration demonstrates how cross-border academic partnerships can address global industrial challenges through sustainable science. Researchers developed carbon quantum dots derived from apple leaves using a green hydrothermal process. These nanoscale particles, doped with nitrogen and sulfur, create multiple active sites that strongly bind to metal surfaces. Laboratory tests showed that these apple-leaf carbon quantum dots can suppress copper corrosion in acidic environments with inhibition efficiency ranging from 94% to 96.2%, even at low concentrations and extended exposure periods.

 

4. China Population Declines for Fourth Year Despite Incentives: China’s demographic decline deepened in 2025 as the country recorded its fourth consecutive annual fall in population, underlining mounting social and economic pressures despite expanded family-support policies. Official data released on Monday showed that the population fell by 3 million to 1.404 billion, keeping “China” as the world’s second-most populous nation, behind India.The number of births dropped sharply to 7.92 million in 2025, a fall of 1.62 million or 17 per cent from the previous year. This erased the modest rebound seen in 2024 and extended a longer trend of declining births that began after 2016. The crude birth rate fell to a record low of 5.63 births per 1,000 people, the weakest level since modern records began. China’s fertility rate continues to remain far below replacement level. The government last reported an official fertility rate of 1.3 in 2020, while recent estimates place it closer to 1.0. Both figures are well below the 2.1 births per woman required to maintain population size, pointing to sustained population shrinkage and accelerated ageing in the coming decades.

 

5. IMF Lifts 2026 Global Growth Outlook to 3.3%: The “International Monetary Fund” has raised its global growth forecast for 2026 to 3.3%, signalling sustained resilience in the world economy despite persistent trade tensions, geopolitical conflicts, and supply-chain disruptions. The upward revision is driven largely by a surge in artificial intelligence-led investment, which the Fund says is offsetting the drag from protectionist trade policies. In its latest World Economic Outlook update, the IMF increased its 2026 growth estimate by 0.2 percentage points compared with its October projection, bringing it in line with its revised forecast for 2025. The Fund highlighted rapid expansion in AI-related spending, particularly on data centres, advanced semiconductors, and power infrastructure, as a key driver of improved growth prospects across major economies. IMF chief economist “Pierre-Olivier Gourinchas” said the global economy has adapted better than expected to higher tariffs and geopolitical shocks. Firms have diversified supply chains and rerouted trade flows, while selective trade agreements have reduced duties. The IMF now assumes an effective US tariff rate of 18.5%, down from earlier estimates of around 25%, reflecting partial easing of trade pressures.

 

 

 

OTHER UPDATES:

DEFENCE

 

1. Praveen Kumar Named BSF Chief, Shatrujeet Singh Kapoor Appointed DG ITBP: The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) approved the appointment of Shatrujeet Singh Kapoor, a 1990-batch IPS officer of the Haryana cadre and former Haryana DGP, as Director General (DG) of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) till October 31 or until further orders.Praveen Kumar, a 1993-batch IPS officer of the West Bengal cadre, currently serving as DG, ITBP, has been appointed as Director General of the Border Security Force (BSF), holding the post till September 30, 2030 or until further orders.Praveen Kumar is presently holding dual charge of DG, BSF and DG, ITBP following his new appointment.The ACC also cleared the appointment of Rakesh Aggarwal, a 1994-batch IPS officer, as Director General of the National Investigation Agency (NIA), with tenure up to July 31, 2028 or until further orders.

 

2. Guatemala Declares Emergency After Prison Riots and Police Killings: Guatemala has entered a period of heightened security after President “Bernardo Arévalo” declared a 30-day state of siege following deadly gang-linked violence. The decision came after seven police officers were killed in coordinated attacks, apparently in retaliation for authorities regaining control of maximum-security prisons seized by inmates during violent riots. The emergency followed coordinated disturbances at three maximum-security prisons, including the Renovación facility in Escuintla. Inmates, many linked to organised crime, took dozens of prison guards hostage to protest the withdrawal of long-standing privileges for jailed gang leaders. Hundreds of anti-riot police later stormed the facilities, freeing all hostages without reported fatalities among guards. Soon after prison control was restored, armed gang members launched attacks across Guatemala City and nearby areas. Interior authorities confirmed that seven national police officers were killed and at least ten wounded. One gang member also died in clashes. Officials described the assaults as an effort to intimidate the state and pressure the government into reversing its crackdown.

 

SPORTS

 

1. Vidarbha Clinch Maiden Vijay Hazare Trophy Title: Vidarbha scripted a landmark moment in Indian domestic cricket by winning their first “Vijay Hazare Trophy” title with a commanding 38-run victory over two-time champions “Saurashtra”. The final, played at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru, marked the culmination of a consistent campaign built on depth in batting and disciplined bowling. Opener “Atharva Taide” delivered his finest List A knock at the biggest stage, scoring a fluent 128. Coming after a long gap since his last century in the format, Taide’s innings combined patience with controlled aggression. His ability to rotate strike early and accelerate after settling in allowed Vidarbha to recover from a cautious start against the new ball.

 

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

 

1. Kaziranga Elevated Corridor Explained: How Assam’s New Highway Project Aims to Save Wildlife: Prime Minister “Narendra Modi” is set to flag off a 34.5-km elevated corridor cutting through Assam’s Kaziranga landscape — a ₹6,950-crore infrastructure project that officials and conservationists say could offer a long-term solution to one of the national park’s gravest challenges: wildlife deaths caused by heavy highway traffic. The project attempts to reconcile development needs with ecological realities in one of India’s most biodiversity-rich regions. The elevated stretch is part of National Highway 715 (earlier NH-37), a crucial arterial road linking Tezpur on the north bank of the Brahmaputra with towns in eastern Assam and onward to Guwahati. The highway forms the southern boundary of “Kaziranga National Park”, beyond which rise the Karbi Anglong hills.In October, the Union Cabinet approved widening an 86.675-km stretch of this highway from two lanes to four. A substantial portion runs along or through the park’s boundary. The centrepiece of the project is the 34.5-km elevated corridor, designed to allow uninterrupted animal movement underneath while diverting heavy vehicular traffic above.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. DFS Launches Composite Salary Account Package for Central Government Employees with Banking and Insurance Benefits: The Department of Financial Services (DFS), Ministry of Finance, launched a composite ‘Salary Account Package’ for Central Government employees to provide integrated banking and insurance benefits, supporting the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047 and Insurance for All by 2047.Banking features include zero-balance salary account, free RTGS/NEFT/UPI, concessional loans for housing, education, vehicles, personal needs, locker fee waivers, and family banking benefits.Insurance coverage includes Personal Accident Insurance up to ₹1.5 crore, Air Accident Insurance up to ₹2 crore, Disability cover up to ₹1.5 crore, Term Life Insurance up to ₹20 lakh, and comprehensive health insurance with top-up options.Digital and card benefits offer enhanced debit/credit card perks, including airport lounge access, reward programs, cashback offers, unlimited transactions, and nil maintenance charges.

 

2. World Bank Raises India’s GDP Growth Forecast to 7.2% for FY 2025–26: The World Bank has revised India’s GDP growth forecast upward to 7.2% for FY 2025–26, citing strong domestic demand, supportive tax reforms, and resilient exports despite global trade uncertainties.In its flagship report “Global Economic Prospects”, the World Bank raised the estimate by 0.9 percentage points from its earlier 6.3% projection made in June.India is expected to remain the fastest-growing major economy, though growth is projected to moderate to 6.5% in 2026–27 and 6.6% in 2027–28.

 

3. Tripura Gramin Bank Launches India’s First Solar-Powered ATM Van to Boost Rural Banking: Tripura Gramin Bank became the first Regional Rural Bank in India to introduce India’s first fully solar-powered mobile ATM van, named “TGB on Wheels.”The project was launched with the support of the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development. NABARDThe initiative earned the bank the SKOCH Group Silver Award, recognising excellence in governance, innovation, and public service delivery.The initiative was inaugurated on July 21, 2023, by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, and currently, three solar-powered ATM vans are operational, supporting basic banking transactions in hard-to-reach locations.

 

Daily GK Update- 18th Jan, 2026

 

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. India Launches Theme, Logo and Website for BRICS 2026 Presidency: India assumed the BRICS Presidency (18th) for 2026 on 1 January 2026, taking over from Brazil, marking its fourth term as the BRICS chair.External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar launched the official BRICS 2026 website, theme, and logo in New Delhi to kick-start India’s chairship.India’s BRICS presidency will follow a “humanity-first” and people-centric approach, focusing on inclusive growth and global welfare.The theme “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability” and the lotus–‘Namaste’ based logo symbolise unity, prosperity, respect, and mark 20 years of BRICS as a key platform for emerging economies.

 

2. Bamanwas Kankar Becomes Rajasthan’s First Fully Organic Certified Gram Panchayat: Bamanwas Kankar gram panchayat in Rajasthan has become the State’s first fully organic certified village body, located in the newly formed Kotputli–Behror district.The shift towards organic farming began after villagers collectively addressed declining soil fertility, falling groundwater levels, rising input costs, and health issues linked to chemical-based agriculture, focusing on long-term sustainability.The panchayat has adopted chemical-free farming and ecological livestock practices, including crop rotation, mulching, biological pest control, vermicompost use, and environmentally responsible animal husbandry.

 

3. Andhra Pradesh Cabinet Approves Dagadarthi Greenfield Airport in Nellore District: The Andhra Pradesh Cabinet approved the Dagadarthi Greenfield Airport project in Nellore district, marking a major boost to regional aviation infrastructure.With this approval, Dagadarthi will become the 8th airport in Andhra Pradesh, strengthening air connectivity in the state.The airport is strategically located near major National Highway corridors and close to Krishnapatnam Port and Ramayapatnam Port, enabling strong multimodal transport integration.The project will be developed in phases over 1,332.80 acres of land and has already received in-principle approval from the Ministry of Civil Aviation.

 

4. GAIL Joins PNGRB’s National PNG Drive 2.0 to Promote PNG and CNG Across India: GAIL (India) Limited has partnered with PNGRB for the National PNG Drive 2.0 initiative, joining the nationwide #NonStopZindagi campaign to promote Piped Natural Gas (PNG) and Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) adoption across India.National PNG Drive 2.0 runs from 1 January to 31 March 2026, supporting India’s goal to increase the share of natural gas in the energy mix to 15% by 2030.The campaign aims to raise awareness, generate demand, and strengthen the City Gas Distribution (CGD) ecosystem, supported by the Unified Tariff framework under the principle of “One Nation, One Grid, One Tariff”.

 

5. Union Environment Minister Chairs NIRANTAR Meeting to Strengthen MoEFCC Coordination: Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav chaired a meeting on the NIRANTAR platform, aimed at strengthening coordination and collaboration among institutions under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC).NIRANTAR’s four verticals focus on research, assessment of outcomes, and their ultimate utilisation, enhancing effective use of India’s natural resources.

 

6. 11 – 17 January 2026 – National Road Safety Week: National Road Safety Week 2026 is being observed from January 11 to 17 across India to raise awareness about road safety and reduce accidents.The campaign focuses on promoting safe driving practices, adherence to traffic rules, and use of helmets and seatbelts among motorists and pedestrians.The year 2026 marks the 37th observance of National Road Safety Week in India.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Navi Mumbai International Airport to Be Named After D B Patil: Navi Mumbai International Airport will be named after late D B Patil, a prominent leader linked with farmers’ and local rights movements, as announced by Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis at a public meeting in Airoli.Navi Mumbai is set to become the next economic growth engine of Maharashtra, with the airport acting as a catalyst for sectors like pharmaceuticals, food processing, services, innovation-driven enterprises, and import–export activities.

 

2. Indian Mountaineer Aritra Roy Conquers Mount Aconcagua in Argentina: Indian mountaineer Aritra Roy successfully summited Mount Aconcagua in Argentina, the highest peak outside Asia at 6,967.15 meters above sea level.The solo expedition, sponsored by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), is part of Roy’s Seven Summits challenge, following his earlier climb of Mount Everest.Roy reached the summit on January 7 at 2:00 PM local time after a 44-km trek in extreme conditions with temperatures as low as –40°C, facing snowstorms and blizzards.

 

3. India Climbs to 80th Position in Global Passport Index 2026: India ranked 80th in the Henley Passport Index 2026, with visa-free, visa-on-arrival or eTA access to 55 destinations, sharing the rank with Algeria and Niger.India’s position has improved by five places from 85th in 2025, reflecting a gradual increase in global mobility for Indian passport holders.Despite the improvement, India remains below the global average of over 100 destinations, with limited access to Europe, the UK, the US, and Canada, restricting spontaneous travel.Singapore continues to hold the most powerful passport (192 destinations), followed by Japan and South Korea jointly at second place, while Afghanistan remains the weakest (24 destinations).Compared to peers, India lags behind China (59th, 81 destinations), Saudi Arabia (54th, 88 destinations) and South Africa (48th, 101 destinations), highlighting the mobility gap for Indian travellers.

 

4. Finke River Recognised as World’s Oldest Flowing River: For millennia, rivers have shaped human civilisation and sustained life, from the Ganga and Indus to the Nile and Amazon. Yet scientists believe the world’s oldest river still flowing today is not found in Asia or Africa, but in the arid heart of Australia. Geological evidence points to the Finke River as the oldest surviving river system on Earth. Unlike most major rivers, the Finke does not flow continuously throughout the year. For long periods, it appears as a series of isolated waterholes scattered across a desert environment. Only after heavy rainfall does it briefly become a connected river. Despite this intermittent nature, scientists confirm that these channels and pools form part of the same ancient river system that originated hundreds of millions of years ago.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

DEFENCE

 

1. Indian Army Inducts Solar-Powered MAPSS Drone for Long-Endurance Border Surveillance: Indian Army signs ₹168 crore contract for MAPSS, a solar-powered surveillance drone system, marking the first induction of a solar-powered unmanned aerial platform for long-endurance border monitoring.MAPSS (Medium Altitude Persistent Surveillance System), developed by Bengaluru-based NewSpace Research & Technologies, uses solar energy instead of conventional fuel or batteries, allowing continuous airborne operations for extended periods.The system is designed for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions across diverse terrains, providing quieter electric propulsion, reduced thermal signature, and support for tracking, observation, communications, and target identification.

 

2. India Plans Defence FDI Norms Overhaul to Attract Global Manufacturers: India is preparing a major liberalisation of foreign direct investment (FDI) norms in the defence sector to draw global manufacturers and boost domestic production, according to a Reuters report citing government sources. The proposed changes are part of a broader push to strengthen indigenous defence manufacturing and reduce dependence on imports. The planned changes aim to allow defence firms from partner countries to hold majority stakes in Indian ventures. Officials indicated that the reforms could be implemented within the next few months. The move is expected to make India a more attractive destination for global defence manufacturers seeking long-term investments.

 

SPORTS

 

1. Australia Women’s Captain Alyssa Healy Announces Retirement from International Cricket: Australia women’s team captain Alyssa Healy announced her retirement from all forms of international cricket ahead of the T20 World Cup 2026.The 35-year-old wicketkeeper-batter ends an illustrious T20I career of nearly 15 years, scoring 3,054 runs at a strike rate of 129.79.Debuting in 2010, Healy is a six-time T20 World Cup winner and also lifted the ODI World Cup in 2013 and 2022, marking the end of a golden era in Australian cricket.

 

2. Aaryan Varshney Becomes India’s 92nd Chess Grandmaster: India added another name to its growing chess legacy as 21-year-old Aaryan Varshney secured the Grandmaster title, becoming the country’s 92nd GM. The achievement came after he clinched his final GM norm at the Andranik Margaryan Memorial Tournament in Armenia, sealing the title with a round to spare. His journey stands out for its simplicity, discipline, and an extraordinary father-son partnership. Aaryan’s chess education was unlike the conventional path followed by most elite players. Trained entirely at home by his father, Gaurav Varshney, a physics teacher in Delhi, Aaryan never worked with a professional coach. His mother left the family when he was five, leaving his father to raise him single-handedly while supporting aged parents.Chess training began seriously when Aaryan was seven. For nearly two years, his father acted as coach, analyst, and motivator, relying largely on game analysis and practical play rather than formal theory.Aaryan played his first rated tournament in December 2014 with a rating of 1261. Within four years, his rating surged past 2300. In July 2018, he won the National Under-13 Championship in Ahmedabad, marking his arrival on the national stage.Notably, Aaryan never read a chess book and relied mainly on ChessBase software and post-game analysis. His International Master title came in 2024, achieved entirely through open tournaments, without European exposure.

 

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

 

1. ISRO’s PSLV-C62 Mission Fails to Place 16 Satellites into Orbit: ISRO’s PSLV-C62 mission, the first launch of the year, failed to place its 16 satellites into the intended orbit due to a technical problem in the rocket’s third stage.The rocket was launched successfully from Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota, with the first two stages performing normally.The mission carried EOS-N1 (Earth observation satellite) along with 15 other payloads, including satellites from Brazil, Nepal, and the UK, as well as Anvesha, a surveillance satellite developed by DRDO.This is the second consecutive PSLV mission affected by third-stage issues, despite PSLV’s previous successes in missions like Chandrayaan-1, Mars Orbiter Mission, Aditya-L1, and Astrosat.

 

2. Google Launches TranslateGemma Open Translation Models: Google has introduced TranslateGemma, a new family of open-source translation models designed to deliver high-quality multilingual translation across a wide range of devices. Supporting 55 languages, the models mark a significant step towards accessible, local, and efficient AI-powered translation without heavy reliance on cloud infrastructure. A key highlight is the 12B model, which outperforms Google’s earlier 27B baseline on the WMT24++ benchmark while using less than half the computing power. This makes high-quality translation feasible on local machines such as laptops. The 4B model matches the performance of the older 12B baseline, enabling offline translation on smartphones and other low-power devices, while the 27B model targets high-end cloud deployments.

 

3. Centre Blocks 242 Illegal Betting Websites Under Online Gaming Act: The Centre has intensified its crackdown on illegal online betting and gambling, reportedly blocking 242 website links on January 16, 2026. Government sources said the action forms part of wider enforcement under the Online Gaming Act that took effect in October 2025, with thousands of unlawful platforms already taken down to curb financial fraud and social harm, especially among young users. According to government sources quoted in reports, 242 illegal betting and gambling website links were blocked in the latest action. The same sources indicated that, cumulatively, more than 7,800 such platforms have been blocked so far, reflecting an expanded drive against offshore and unregulated operators that target Indian users through mirror links, proxy domains, and cloned apps.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. Essar Signs ₹5,100 Crore MoU with Gujarat for Large-Scale Bio-Fuel Project: Essar Future Energy Limited signed an MoU with the Gujarat government to invest ₹5,100 crore in setting up a large-scale bio-fuel complex in Devbhumi Dwarka district.The MoU was signed at the Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference (VGRC) held in Rajkot, marking a major push for renewable energy in the state.The proposed bio-fuel project will have an initial feedstock processing capacity of 1 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) and was signed in the presence of senior state ministers and officials.

 

2. Kotak Mahindra Bank Names Former Bajaj Finance MD Anup Kumar Saha as Whole-Time Director: Kotak Mahindra Bank appointed former Bajaj Finance MD Anup Kumar Saha as its whole-time director.Saha will oversee consumer banking, marketing, and data analytics, focusing on customer-centric transformation, digital innovation, and data-led strategies. With this appointment, Saha becomes the fourth whole-time director on Kotak Mahindra Bank’s board, joining MD & CEO Ashok Vaswani and executive directors Jaideep Hansraj and Paritosh Kashyap.

 

Daily GK Update- 17th Jan, 2026

 

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Karnataka Cabinet Approves Statewide Rollout of ‘Akka Pade’ Scheme to Prevent Atrocities Against Women and Minors: The Karnataka Cabinet has approved the statewide rollout of the ‘Akka Pade’ scheme across all 31 districts and five police commissionerates in collaboration with the Home Department.Akka Pade is a women- and community-oriented safety programme aimed at preventing violence, harassment, exploitation, and social evils such as child marriage.Initially implemented on a pilot basis in select districts, the scheme is being expanded statewide after successful outcomes, as announced by Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister HK Patil.

 

2. ICAR and NDDB Sign MoU to Strengthen Research, Innovation, and Capacity Building in India’s Dairy Sector: The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) signed an MoU with the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) to strengthen collaboration in multidisciplinary research, innovation, and capacity building across the dairy sector.The MoU aims to combine ICAR’s scientific expertise with NDDB’s field-level experience to address emerging grassroots challenges in dairy development.The partnership will focus on climate resilience, productivity enhancement, value chain development, knowledge sharing, technology validation, and joint training programmes for researchers, professionals, and farmers.

 

3. 28th CSPOC Conference Begins in New Delhi: The 28th Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of the Commonwealth (CSPOC) has commenced in New Delhi, with participation from over 60 Commonwealth countries and semi-autonomous Parliaments in a three-day event.The Conference aims to promote parliamentary democracy, strengthen legislative institutions, and encourage knowledge-sharing among different democratic systems, with Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla serving as the Chairperson.Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the Conference at Samvidhan Sadan, which will feature sessions on AI in Parliament, social media impact, best practices, public engagement, security, and MPs’ well-being, before the CSPOC Chair is handed over to UK House of Commons Speaker Lindsay Hoyle.

 

4. Union Minister Chirag Paswan Inaugurates Indusfood 2026 in Greater Noida: Union Minister Chirag Paswan of the Ministry of Food Processing Industries inaugurated the 9th edition of Indusfood 2026 at the India Expo Centre and Mart, Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh.The event was organised by the Trade Promotion Council of India (TPCI) under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.Indusfood 2026 is Asia’s premier global food and beverage sourcing trade show, aimed at promoting Indian agri-exports, entrepreneurship, and international trade partnerships.

 

5. Justice Revati Mohite Dere Sworn In as First Woman Chief Justice of Meghalaya High Court: Justice Revati Mohite Dere was sworn in as the first woman Chief Justice of the Meghalaya High Court, marking a landmark moment for the matrilineal northeastern state.The oath was administered by Meghalaya Governor Chandrashekhar H Vijayashankar at the Durbar Hall, Lok Bhavan, Shillong; she succeeds Justice Soumen Sen.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Germany Allows Visa-Free Transit for Indian Passport Holders: Germany has permitted visa-free transit for Indian passport holders, allowing them to pass through German airports without a transit visa under specified conditions.The move aims to facilitate smoother international travel for Indian travellers, especially those transiting to third countries.This decision is expected to strengthen people-to-people ties and enhance travel convenience between India and Germany.

 

2. Meta Appoints Dina Powell McCormick as President and Vice Chairman: Meta, the parent company of Facebook, has appointed Dina Powell McCormick as its President and Vice Chairman, strengthening its top leadership.A former adviser in the Trump administration and a seasoned finance executive, she had earlier served on Meta’s Board of Directors.

 

3. Bombay Stock Exchange Wins Asia Best Employer Brand Award 2026: The Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) has been conferred the Asia Best Employer Brand Award 2026 at the Hong Kong Leadership Awards & CMO Asia Awards.The award recognises BSE’s strong people-first approach, focus on employee empowerment, professional development, and building an inclusive, high-performance work culture.

 

4. Toby Kiers Wins Tyler Prize for Mycorrhizal Research: Beneath forests, grasslands and farmlands lies a vast underground fungal system that quietly regulates Earth’s climate. These mycorrhizal networks form nutrient-trading partnerships with plant roots and draw down over 13 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide annually. Long overlooked as secondary plant helpers, they are now recognised as one of the planet’s most critical life-support systems. American evolutionary biologist “Toby Kiers” has been awarded the Tyler Prize for Environmental Achievement, often referred to as the Nobel for the environment. The award recognises her pioneering work in revealing the ecological and climatic importance of mycorrhizal fungi. Currently a University Research Chair at “Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam”, her research has transformed scientific understanding of soil ecosystems. Plants channel surplus carbon below ground, where mycorrhizal fungi store an estimated 13.12 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide annually, roughly one-third of fossil fuel emissions. By co-developing a global Underground Atlas, Kiers and her colleagues mapped the worldwide distribution of these fungi, highlighting vast reservoirs of below-ground biodiversity. The findings provide critical data for conservation planning, especially as many fungal hotspots lie outside protected areas.

 

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

DEFENCE

 

1. Indian Army Officer Major Swathi Shantha Kumar Wins UN Secretary-General’s Award 2025: Major Swathi Shantha Kumar of the Indian Army won the UN Secretary-General’s Award 2025 for her initiative “Equal Partners, Lasting Peace.”Serving with the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), she made significant contributions toward strengthening gender parity and community-level engagement.The prestigious award was announced and conferred by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

 

2. Saab Showcases RBS-15 Missile Against Advanced Air Defences : Swedish aerospace and defence major “Saab” has showcased the advanced strike capabilities of its RBS-15 missile system, demonstrating its potential to neutralise key components of sophisticated air defence networks, including elements resembling the Russian S-400 system. The display comes through a promotional video highlighting the missile’s role in modern, multi-domain conflict scenarios. RBS-15 is a highly optimised long-range anti-ship missile with a proven land-attack capability. The latest iteration, RBS-15 Mk4 Gungnir, represents the next generation of the missile family. According to Saab, Gungnir is designed as a complete system solution, capable of integration across air, sea, and land platforms, enhancing operational flexibility in contested environments.

 

SPORTS

 

1. Aaryan Varshney Becomes India’s 92nd Chess Grandmaster: India added another name to its growing chess legacy as 21-year-old Aaryan Varshney secured the Grandmaster title, becoming the country’s 92nd GM. The achievement came after he clinched his final GM norm at the Andranik Margaryan Memorial Tournament in Armenia, sealing the title with a round to spare. His journey stands out for its simplicity, discipline, and an extraordinary father-son partnershipAaryan’s chess education was unlike the conventional path followed by most elite players. Trained entirely at home by his father, Gaurav Varshney, a physics teacher in Delhi, Aaryan never worked with a professional coach. His mother left the family when he was five, leaving his father to raise him single-handedly while supporting aged parents.Chess training began seriously when Aaryan was seven. For nearly two years, his father acted as coach, analyst, and motivator, relying largely on game analysis and practical play rather than formal theory.

 

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

 

1. India’s Startup Decade: How Startup India Rewired Entrepreneurship—and What Lies Ahead: India’s National Startup Day on January 16, 2026 marks ten years of the Startup India Initiative a policy experiment that has since reshaped the country’s economic and innovation landscape. What began in 2016 as a government-led push to energise entrepreneurship has matured into one of the world’s largest startup ecosystems, deeply intertwined with India’s developmental ambitions, including the long-term vision of Viksit Bharat 2047. A decade on, startups are no longer peripheral disruptors; they have become a central pillar of growth, jobs, and inclusion. When Startup India was launched in 2016, India had a modest startup base and limited access to domestic risk capital. Ten years later, the numbers tell a different story. As of December 2025, India has over 2 lakh recognised startups, making it one of the largest startup ecosystems globally. The journey has been marked by a shift from isolated entrepreneurial success stories to a structured, policy-supported ecosystem spanning funding, mentorship, market access, and regulatory facilitation.At the centre of this effort is the Startup India Initiative, led by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. Over time, the initiative has evolved from a facilitative policy framework into a full-spectrum platform that supports startups from ideation to scaling, including through funding instruments, digital portals, and competitive federalism among states.

 

2. India’s First Green Ammonia Project Begins in Andhra Pradesh: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Saturday laid the foundation stone for large-scale green hydrogen and green ammonia plants at Kakinada, reinforcing the State’s ambition to emerge as a national green energy hub. The project marks a significant step in India’s clean energy transition and positions Kakinada as a future ‘Green Hydrogen Valley’. The Chief Minister said the AM Green project would commence production of 1.5 million tonnes of green ammonia annually from June 2027. The output will be primarily exported to Germany, underlining Andhra Pradesh’s growing role in the global green energy supply chain. The project is being described as the world’s largest green ammonia facility currently under development. Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan stated that the green hydrogen and green ammonia plants together would attract an investment of nearly ₹84,000 crore. Naidu highlighted that the State has accorded top priority to renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, and pumped storage projects. He noted that Andhra Pradesh has set a target of producing 160 GW of green energy, aligning with the Prime Minister’s national goal of achieving 500 GW of renewable capacity.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. India Plans Defence FDI Norms Overhaul to Attract Global Manufacturers: India is preparing a major liberalisation of foreign direct investment (FDI) norms in the defence sector to draw global manufacturers and boost domestic production, according to a Reuters report citing government sources. The proposed changes are part of a broader push to strengthen indigenous defence manufacturing and reduce dependence on imports. Under the proposed reforms, the FDI cap for defence companies with existing licences under the automatic route is expected to be raised to 74 per cent from the current 49 per cent. The automatic route allows foreign investment without prior government approval. At present, 74 per cent foreign ownership is permitted automatically only for companies seeking new defence licences.

 

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. Kerala Announces Science Literature Awards 2024 for Excellence in Malayalam Science Writing: Kerala State Council for Science, Technology and Environment (KSCSTE) announced the Science Literature Awards 2024, recognising excellence in science writing in Malayalam across four categories.Each award carries ₹50,000, a plaque, and a certificate, celebrating contributions in Popular Science, In-depth Science, Children’s Literature, and Science Journalism.Winners include Biju Dharmapalan (Popular Science), Gopakumar Cholayil (In-depth Science), and Pradeep Orkkatteri (Children’s Literature) for their outstanding books published in 2024.The Science Journalism award was presented to Ashwin S. for his series on artificial intelligence in Malayala Manorama, highlighting the role of media in popularising scientific knowledge.

 

2. Indian-Origin Mathematician Nalini Joshi Named New South Wales’ Scientist of the Year : Indian-origin mathematician Nalini Joshi has been named New South Wales’ Scientist of the Year, becoming the first mathematician to receive the state’s highest science honour, in recognition of her pioneering contributions to applied mathematics.The award highlights the growing relevance of mathematical sciences in addressing complex technological and societal challenges, from climate modelling to secure digital communications.Joshi is a Professor and Chair of Applied Mathematics at the University of Sydney and was the institution’s first woman Professor of Mathematics, marking a significant milestone for gender representation in Australian academia.

 

3. Italy Conferred Prestigious ‘Cavaliere dell’Ordine della Stella d’Italia’ Honour on Goa-Based Industrialist Shrinivas Dempo: Goa-based industrialist Shrinivas Dempo has been awarded the Cavaliere dell’Ordine della Stella d’Italia, one of Italy’s most respected civilian honours, for his contributions to Italian citizens and bilateral interests in India.The award was presented in Goa by Walter Ferrara, Consul General of Italy in Mumbai, highlighting Dempo’s role in strengthening Indo-Italian people-to-people and institutional ties. As honorary vice consul of Italy in Goa, Dempo has assisted Italian nationals and facilitated investments, with the honour recognising his exceptional service in cultural, economic, and diplomatic spheres.