Daily GK Update- 22nd Jan, 2026

 

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. IIT Delhi Launches Centre of Excellence for Regulatory Affairs in the Power Sector: Union Minister of Power, Shri Manohar Lal, inaugurated the Centre of Excellence (CoE) for Regulatory Affairs in the Power Sector at IIT Delhi, envisioned as a national-level hub for regulatory research, capacity building, advisory support, and knowledge dissemination.By situating the Centre within a premier academic institution and collaborating closely with CERC and Grid India, it integrates policy, regulation, system operations, and academic research under a single institutional framework to address key sectoral challenges.

 

2. Union Environment Minister Chairs 88th SC-NBWL Meeting to Review Wildlife and Eco-Sensitive Zone Proposals: The 88th Meeting of the Standing Committee of the National Board for Wildlife (SC-NBWL) was chaired by Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav in New Delhi, focusing on wildlife conservation and sustainable development.During the meeting, the committee considered 70 proposals related to public utility services, defence requirements, and infrastructure development in and around Protected Areas, Wildlife Sanctuaries, Tiger Reserves, and Eco-Sensitive Zones, ensuring compliance with the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972.

 

3. PM Modi Addresses Bagurumba Dwhou 2026 in Assam: Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed Bagurumba Dwhou 2026, a major cultural festival celebrating the heritage of the Bodo community, at Sarusajai Stadium, Guwahati, Assam. The festival showcased the traditional Bodo folk dance and featured performances by over 10,000 artists, highlighting Assam’s rich cultural heritage.

 

4. Tamil Nadu Announces Semmozhi Illakiya Virudhu to Honour Literary Excellence in Major Indian Languages: The Tamil Nadu government announced a state-sponsored annual award called the Semmozhi Illakiya Virudhu (Classical Language Literary Award) to recognise outstanding works in major Indian languages other than Hindi, with a cash prize of ₹5 lakh.Unveiled by CM M K Stalin at the Chennai International Book Fair, the award will be conferred annually and will have a national-level character, celebrating literary excellence across linguistic boundaries.In its first phase, the award will recognise works in seven Indian languages: Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, Odiya, Bengali, and Marathi, with the potential to expand to other languages in future phases.

 

5. Five-Time Bihar MLA Nitin Nabin Elected Unopposed as Youngest BJP National President: Five-time Bihar MLA Nitin Nabin (45) has been elected unopposed as the BJP National President, becoming the youngest leader ever to hold the top post. He succeeds J P Nadda, who has headed the party since 2020.

 

6. 21 January – Foundation Day of Tripura, Manipur, and Meghalaya: 21 January is observed as the Foundation Day of Tripura, Manipur, and Meghalaya, marking their establishment as full-fledged states in India. On 21 January 1972, under the North Eastern Region (Re‑organisation) Act, 1971, these regions were officially granted statehood — Tripura and Manipur transitioned from Union Territories/princely states, and Meghalaya became a separate state from Assam. The day is celebrated with cultural programmes, showcasing the traditions, dances, and customs of the three states at various venues across India.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. India–UAE Ties Strengthen: Trade Target of $200 Billion by 2032: India and the UAE agreed to double bilateral trade to over $200 billion by 2032 and expand cooperation in large nuclear reactors and Small Modular Reactors (SMRs). PM Narendra Modi invited UAE sovereign wealth funds to participate in India’s second Infrastructure Fund, scheduled to be launched in 2026; UAE firms First Abu Dhabi Bank and DP World will set up operations in GIFT City, Gujarat. A 10-year LNG supply agreement was signed for 500,000 tonnes per annum from 2028 between HPCL and Adnoc Gas; leaders also discussed the Gaza Board of Peace proposal and the situation in Iran.

 

2. Madrid to Host Laureus World Sports Awards for Third Consecutive Year: Madrid will host the Laureus World Sports Awards for the third consecutive year, with the ceremony scheduled at Cibeles Palace on April 20. The Laureus World Sports Awards is an annual global ceremony that honours sportspersons, teams, and outstanding sporting achievements from across the world. The awards were established in 1999 by the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation to celebrate excellence in sports and promote social change through sport.

 

3. 6th ASEAN-India Digital Ministers Meeting Focuses on Inclusive, Secure, and Connected Digital Ecosystem: The 6th ASEAN-India Digital Ministers Meeting was held virtually under the theme “Adaptive ASEAN: From Connectivity to Connected Intelligence”, focusing on regional digital cooperation, inclusion, and integration. The meeting was co-chaired by Telecom Secretary Amit Agrawal (India) and Vietnam’s Minister Nguyen Manh Hung, and approved the ASEAN-India Digital Work Plan 2026, covering ICT training, regulators’ conferences, and telecom ICT deployment.

 

4. Why Youth Exchanges Could Become the Strongest Bridge Between China and India: Across the world’s two most populous countries, young people are increasingly being seen not just as beneficiaries of development, but as its primary drivers. In both China and India, national leadership has placed the aspirations and energy of Gen Z and Gen Alpha at the centre of long-term planning. Beyond domestic priorities, there is also a growing recognition that youth-to-youth engagement can stabilise and humanise a relationship often strained by geopolitics. Both Xi Jinping and Narendra Modi have repeatedly underlined the role of youth in achieving their countries’ centenary goals. In China, young people are portrayed as inheritors of the national rejuvenation project, while in India, they are framed as the backbone of economic growth and global influence. With China and India together accounting for the world’s largest youth populations, their policy choices regarding education, employment and international exposure will shape not only domestic futures, but also global economic and political trends.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

DEFENCE

 

1. INS Sudarshini to Embark on 10-Month Lokayan 26 Voyage: INS Sudarshini will embark on a 10-month expedition under Lokayan 26, covering over 22,000 nautical miles and visiting 18 ports across 13 countries to showcase India’s maritime heritage and promote international naval cooperation.Over 200 trainees from the Indian Navy and Coast Guard will gain hands-on experience in navigation and traditional seamanship, interact with foreign naval counterparts, and build enduring professional bonds. The ship will participate in prestigious tall-ship events like Escale à Sète (France) and SAIL 250 (USA), serving as a platform for cultural diplomacy, maritime partnerships, and projecting India’s naval capability and goodwill globally.

 

2. India Flags Off First Batch of Guided Pinaka Rockets for Armenia: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh flagged off the first batch of guided Pinaka rocket systems for Armenia.The rockets were dispatched from a facility in Nagpur, Maharashtra, and showcase the Pinaka system’s accuracy and extended range, highlighting India as a reliable supplier of advanced defence technology. Armenia signed a Rs 2,000 crore deal in September 2022 for four Pinaka batteries, including unguided, extended-range, and guided variants; deliveries of the initial unguided systems began in July 2023 and concluded by late 2024. Minister Rajnath Singh also inaugurated SDAL’s state-of-the-art medium calibre ammunition manufacturing facility in Nagpur.

 

SPORTS

 

1. Vidarbha Lift Maiden Vijay Hazare Trophy, Beat Saurashtra in Final: Vidarbha clinched their maiden Vijay Hazare Trophy, defeating two-time champions Saurashtra by 38 runs in the final.

The final was played at the BCCI Centre of Excellence, Bengaluru, and the tournament marked the 33rd edition of the Vijay Hazare Trophy. Karnataka and Tamil Nadu remain the most successful teams, with five titles each in the tournament’s history.

 

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

 

1. Wikimedia Foundation Partners with Big Tech for Paid AI Access to Wikipedia Content: The Wikimedia Foundation, the parent body of Wikipedia, has partnered with companies like Amazon, Meta, Microsoft, Mistral AI, and Perplexity to provide paid access to Wikipedia content for AI training.Wikipedia hosts around 65 million articles across more than 300 languages, serving as a vast resource for AI models. Its content is created and overseen by approximately 250,000 volunteer editors worldwide and receives nearly 15 billion views each month.

2. Why ‘Digital Arrest’ Scams Are Exploding in India — and What Makes Them So Effective: The Supreme Court’s recent suo motu intervention on the surge of so-called “digital arrest” frauds has brought national attention to a crime that has quietly devastated thousands of Indian households. Far from being a niche cyber offence, these scams reveal deeper weaknesses in India’s digital governance, policing capacity, and social psychology — vulnerabilities that fraudsters have learned to exploit with alarming efficiency. Last month, the Supreme Court of India took suo motu  cognisance of complaints from an elderly couple and reports of widespread online fraud described as “digital arrest”. The Court directed the Central Bureau of Investigation and select States to begin a coordinated pan-India probe. Recognising that the fraud involves complex money trails, the Court also advised the Reserve Bank of India to deploy artificial intelligence and machine-learning tools to track money layering across multiple bank accounts. Internet service providers and technology platforms were asked to cooperate fully with investigators.

 

3. Why Reusable Rockets Are Reshaping the Economics of Space — and What It Means for India: For nearly four decades, space exploration was dominated by government agencies and expendable rockets — powerful, complex, and used just once. That era is now giving way to a commercial revolution. Private companies are not only launching more frequently, but fundamentally altering how humanity accesses space. With the global space economy projected to cross $1 trillion by 2030, the shift toward reusable rockets has emerged as the single most important driver of lower costs and higher launch cadence. Reaching orbit is an unforgiving engineering challenge. Rockets must overcome two major hurdles: gravity, which constantly pulls them back to Earth, and aerodynamic drag as they punch through the atmosphere. With nothing external to push against, rockets move forward by ejecting exhaust gases backward at supersonic speeds. This reality is captured by the Tsiolkovsky rocket equation, which links a rocket’s final speed to its mass and fuel. The equation exposes a brutal truth: fuel itself is heavy, so rockets need large amounts of fuel just to lift fuel. As a result, over 90% of a rocket’s mass at liftoff is propellant and tanks, leaving less than 4% for the actual satellite or spacecraft.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. IMF Upgrades India’s GDP Growth Forecast to 7.3% for FY 2025-26: The IMF raised India’s GDP growth forecast for FY 2025-26 to 7.3%, up from its earlier estimate of 6.6%, reflecting stronger economic momentum. According to the January 2026 World Economic Outlook (WEO) update, India’s growth is projected to moderate to 6.4% in both 2026 and 2027. The IMF expects global economic growth to remain resilient, at 3.3% in 2026 and 3.2% in 2027, broadly stable compared to 3.3% in 2025.

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. C-DOT Wins SKOCH Award 2025 for Indigenous Cell Broadcast Solution Enhancing Disaster Alerts: C-DOT (Centre for Development of Telematics) received the SKOCH Award 2025 for its Cell Broadcast Solution (CBS) during the 104th SKOCH Summit under the theme “Resourcing Viksit Bharat,” recognising excellence in technology-driven governance and public service. The Cell Broadcast Solution is an indigenous disaster and emergency alert platform that enables near real-time dissemination of life-saving alerts to citizens in affected areas through cellular networks, integrating multiple agencies such as IMD, CWC, INCOIS, DGR, and Forest Survey of India. The system unifies mobile service providers, State Disaster Management Authorities, and the National Disaster Management Authority to create an automated, geo-targeted, multi-hazard alert system supporting 21 Indian languages, enhancing disaster risk reduction and management efficiency.

 

Daily GK Update- 21st Jan, 2026

 

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. DGCA Imposes ₹22.2 Crore Penalty on IndiGo for December 2025 Flight Disruptions: The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has imposed a penalty of ₹22.2 crore on IndiGo for major flight disruptions witnessed in December 2025.The regulator stated that the disruptions were primarily caused by overstretching of flight crew, resulting in widespread delays and cancellations.

 

2. PM Modi Launches India’s First Overnight Sleeper Vande Bharat Train on Howrah–Guwahati Route: Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched India’s first overnight sleeper Vande Bharat train connecting Howrah (Kolkata) to Kamakhya (Guwahati) during his two-day visit to West Bengal, with the inauguration held in Malda.The train was manufactured indigenously by BEML in Bengaluru, incorporating technology from the Integral Coach Factory (ICF), Chennai.Covering nearly 1,000 km, the fully air-conditioned train has 16 sleeper coaches (First AC, AC 2-tier, AC 3-tier) accommodating around 823 passengers, and features modern amenities such as ergonomic berths, automatic doors, noise-reduction systems, advanced suspension, Kavach anti-collision technology, and a top speed of 130 km/h.

 

3. India’s First Green Ammonia Project Launched in Kakinada: India’s first Green Ammonia project has been launched in Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh, with CM N. Chandrababu Naidu laying the foundation stone for large-scale green hydrogen and ammonia plants, aiming to establish a national green energy hub and a future “Green Hydrogen Valley.”The AM Green project will be the world’s largest green ammonia facility, producing 1.5 million tonnes annually from June 2027, primarily for export to Germany.The green hydrogen and ammonia plants together will attract ₹84,000 crore investment, supporting Andhra Pradesh’s renewable energy targets, including 160 GW of green energy through solar, wind, and other renewable sources.

 

4. Ponduru Khadi from Andhra Pradesh Receives GI Tag: Ponduru Khadi, a rare hand-woven cotton fabric from Andhra Pradesh, has been granted the Geographical Indication (GI) tag, enhancing global visibility, legal protection, and market opportunities for artisans of this traditional craft.The GI registration, awarded to the Khadi and Village Industries Commission, legally safeguards Ponduru Khadi—produced exclusively in Ponduru village, Srikakulam district—against imitation and certifies its geographical origin.

 

5. PM Modi inaugurated the Kaziranga Elevated Corridor Project: Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated the Kaziranga Elevated Corridor Project (4-Laning of Kaliabor-Numaligarh section of NH-715), worth over Rs. 6,950 Crore in Kaliabor, Assam.Under this, a 90-kms corridor from Kaliabor to Numaligarh is being developed at a cost of about Rs. 7,000 crore, including a 35-kilometre elevated wildlife corridor.It will feature 35 km of Elevated Wildlife Corridor that will pass through Kaziranga National Park, 21 km Bypass section and 30 km widening of the existing highway section of NH-715 from two to four lanes.The project will pass through Nagaon, Karbi Anglong and Golaghat districts and will significantly improve connectivity to Upper Assam, particularly Dibrugarh and Tinsukia. As part of the project, Bypasses will be developed at Jakhalabandha and Bokakhat that will help to decongest towns, improve urban mobility and enhance the quality of life for local residents.

 

6. Sandeep Bakhshi Re-appointed as ICICI Bank MD & CEO: ICICI Bank has approved the re-appointment of Sandeep Bakhshi as Managing Director and CEO for another two-year term, marking his third re-appointment since 2021.The new tenure of Sandeep Bakhshi will be effective from October 4, 2026, extending his leadership at ICICI Bank.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. India’s Electronics Exports Surge Past $47 Billion in 2025: India’s electronics exports crossed $47 billion in 2025, registering a 37% growth over $34.93 billion in 2024, with smartphones—mainly iPhones—contributing nearly two-thirds (~$30 billion) of total exports, driven by PLI-linked manufacturing.December 2025 exports stood at $4.17 billion, up 16.8% year-on-year, with electronics crossing the $4 billion monthly mark in 7 out of 12 months, making it the fastest-growing export category among India’s top 10 sectors.Growth has been propelled by successive PLI schemes (Smartphone PLI-2020, India Semiconductor Mission-2021, IT Hardware PLI-2023) and the Electronics Component Manufacturing Scheme (ECMS) 2025 (₹22,919 crore outlay), with exports projected to cross $55 billion in 2026.

 

2. Finke River Recognised as World’s Oldest Flowing River: The Finke River in central Australia, also known as Larapinta by the Arrernte people, is believed to be the world’s oldest river still flowing today, dating back 300–400 million years.Stretching over 640 kilometres across the Northern Territory and South Australia, the river cuts through some of Australia’s most ancient landscapes, long predating the age of dinosaurs.Unlike typical rivers, the Finke flows intermittently, appearing as isolated waterholes for most of the year, connecting briefly only after heavy rainfall, yet forming a continuous ancient river system.

 

3. Uganda President Yoweri Museveni Wins Seventh Term: Uganda President Yoweri Museveni has won a seventh term in office, further extending his long-standing leadership in the country.He secured 71.65% of the total votes in the presidential election, reaffirming his political dominance.Yoweri Museveni has been in power since 1986, making him one of Africa’s longest-serving leaders.

 

4. 20 January – Penguin Awareness Day: Penguin Awareness Day is observed annually on 20 January to spread awareness about penguin species, their habitats, and the environmental threats they face, especially due to climate change and melting polar ice.Penguins are flightless seabirds found primarily in the Southern Hemisphere, with Antarctica hosting the largest population, and they play a crucial role in maintaining the marine ecosystem balance.

OTHER UPDATES:

DEFENCE

 

1. Indian Navy’s First Training Squadron Reaches Singapore’s Changi Naval Base: Indian Navy’s First Training Squadron, comprising INS Tir, INS Shardul, INS Sujata, and Indian Coast Guard Ship Sarathi, arrived at Changi Naval Base, Singapore, for a training deployment in the South East Indian Ocean Region.The visit strengthens maritime security cooperation, highlights India’s leadership in the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS), and aligns with the MAHASAGAR vision for mutual and holistic advancement of security and growth across regions.

 

2. If the U.S. Moves on Greenland: Why a Military Takeover Would Shake NATO and the Global Order: Speculation about an American military takeover of Greenland — once dismissed as political theatre — is now being discussed seriously enough to alarm allies and adversaries alike. Such a move would not merely redraw Arctic geopolitics; it would strike at the foundations of NATO, embolden Russia and China, unsettle Europe, and potentially accelerate nuclear proliferation. The contradictions at the heart of the idea reveal why Greenland could become one of the most destabilising flashpoints of the decade. Greenland sits astride the Arctic routes linking North America and Europe. As ice melts and shipping lanes open, the island’s location, radar coverage, and undersea access have grown in importance. The United States already maintains a military presence there under a 1951 defence agreement with Denmark, which administers Greenland as an autonomous territory.Washington’s stated concern is that Russia and China are expanding their Arctic footprint. While there is evidence of growing Sino-Russian cooperation in Arctic energy and military exercises, U.S. defence assessments consistently point to the waters around Alaska — not Greenland — as the main theatre of activity.

 

3. Border Roads Organisation: How India’s ‘Silent Sentinel’ Builds Security, Connectivity and Confidence at the Frontiers: From icy Himalayan passes to dense forests and arid deserts, the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) operates where terrain tests both engineering and human endurance. Over six decades since its creation, the BRO has evolved from a niche construction arm into a strategic pillar of India’s national security — delivering roads, tunnels, bridges and airfields that serve soldiers on the frontlines and civilians in some of the country’s most remote regions. Established on May 7, 1960, the Border Roads Organisation was created to build and maintain strategic infrastructure in border and inaccessible areas. Guided by its motto — “Shramena Sarvam Sadhyam” (“Through hard work, all things are possible”) — the BRO works at the intersection of defence preparedness and development.Since its inception, the organisation has constructed over 64,100 km of roads, more than 1,100 bridges, multiple tunnels and 22 airfields across India’s border regions. Since 2015–16, it functions fully under the Ministry of Defence, reflecting its core role in national security.

 

 

 

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

 

1. Can Scientists Really Detect a Single Graviton? Why a New U.S. Experiment Has Sparked Excitement and Doubt: The claim is audacious: scientists in the U.S. say they are building the world’s first experiment explicitly designed to detect an individual graviton — the hypothetical quantum particle of gravity. The idea has attracted $1.3 million in funding but also deep scepticism from physicists, reviving a decades-old debate about whether gravitons can ever be detected, and if doing so would actually prove that gravity is quantum in nature. The proposal comes from researchers at Stevens Institute of Technology working with collaborators at Yale University. Their plan is to build an ultra-sensitive detector using a cylindrical resonator filled with superfluid helium — a state of matter that behaves as a single quantum object when cooled close to absolute zero.The idea is to cool this cylinder to its quantum ground state, eliminating thermal noise entirely. In this near-perfect silence, the detector would “listen” for the faintest possible disturbance. If a powerful gravitational wave — say, from merging black holes — passes through, theory suggests it could deposit exactly one quantum of energy into the helium. That energy would appear as a single mechanical vibration, or phonon, which lasers monitoring the cylinder could detect.Project co-leader Igor Pikovski has said the three-year effort is unlikely to catch single gravitons immediately, but aims to build a working prototype that future iterations could refine.

 

2. Steel Slag Technology Pitched for Sustainable Roads in Hilly Regions: Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology Dr. Jitendra Singh has recommended accelerated adoption of steel slag–based technology for sustainable road construction, particularly in hilly and Himalayan regions. He noted that despite proven benefits, the technology’s uptake in Himalayan states and Union Territories remains limited and requires targeted outreach, training and awareness-building among state agencies. Addressing an event marking the signing of an agreement between the Technology Development Board and Visakhapatnam-based Ramuka Global Eco Work Private Limited, the Minister said workshops are being organised to familiarise engineers and officials with steel slag applications. A two-day workshop on steel slag technology is scheduled to be held in Jammu and Kashmir next week, followed by similar programmes in other states and UTs. He observed that regions with short construction seasons, heavy rainfall and frequent road damage stand to gain the most from the technology.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. RBI Notifies Revised Integrated Ombudsman Scheme (RB-IOS): The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has notified revised rules under the Reserve Bank–Integrated Ombudsman Scheme (RB-IOS), 2026 to strengthen and streamline customer grievance redressal.Under the new scheme, there is no upper limit on the amount of dispute that a complainant can raise against a regulated financial entity before the RBI Ombudsman.

The Ombudsman has the power to award compensation of up to ₹30 lakh for any consequential financial loss suffered by the complainant.Additionally, compensation of up to ₹3 lakh may be granted for loss of time, expenses incurred, and harassment or mental anguish suffered by the complainant.The revised RB-IOS, 2026, will be applicable to banks, NBFCs, non-bank PPI issuers, and credit information companies, and will come into effect from July 1, 2026.

 

2. LTIMindtree Wins ₹3,000 Crore CBDT Contract for AI-Based Tax Analytics Platform Modernisation: IT services firm LTIMindtree has secured a ₹3,000 crore contract from the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) to develop an AI-based programme for modernising India’s national tax analytics platform.The project, titled “Insight 2.0”, will be executed over a seven-year period and focuses on leveraging artificial intelligence for advanced tax data analytics.The modernised platform is designed to deliver real-time insights to policymakers, supporting data-driven decision-making and strengthening tax administration.

 

3. CareEdge Projects 7% GDP Growth for India in FY 2026-27 Despite Global Economic Uncertainties: CareEdge Ratings has projected that India’s economy will grow at 7% in FY 2026-27, indicating continued resilience despite global economic uncertainties, while real GDP growth for FY 2025-26 has been pegged at 7.4% as per the First Advance Estimates.For FY 2026-27, CareEdge estimates real GDP growth at 7% and nominal GDP growth at 10.1%, with India’s macroeconomic outlook remaining constructive, while the RBI has projected 7.3% GDP growth for FY 2025-26.

 

Daily GK Update- 20th Jan, 2026

 

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.