Daily GK Update- 24th Jan, 2026

 

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Assam Government Announces Monthly Financial Assistance for Research Scholars: The Government of Assam announced a monthly financial assistance scheme for research scholars under the Atal Vichal Agragami Assam programme.The scheme will be launched on February 11, 2026.₹25,000 per month will be provided to regular research scholars.₹40,000 per month will be provided to Divyang research scholars, ensuring inclusive higher education support.The scheme is applicable to scholars enrolled in universities and higher education institutions across Assam.The initiative aims to reduce financial stress, allowing scholars to focus on quality research and academic excellence.The announcement was made by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who described it as a transformative step for Assam’s academic ecosystem. The scheme focuses on empowering young talent, promoting high-quality and interdisciplinary research, and strengthening Assam as a knowledge-driven economy.

 

2. Vice President Releases Book on Ram Janmabhoomi Issue: Vice President of India Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan released the book titled “Chalice of Ambrosia: Ram Janmabhoomi – Challenge and Response” at the Vice President’s Enclave, New Delhi.The book is authored by Shri Surendra Kumar Pachauri, a former Secretary to the Government of India.The Vice President stated that the book presents the long and complex journey of reclaiming the birthplace of Lord Shri Ram in a balanced, factual, and scholarly manner, without exaggeration or bias.He described the construction of Shri Ram Mandir in Ayodhya as a landmark moment in India’s civilisational history, where faith, history, law, and democracy converged peacefully.The Vice President credited Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi for guiding the revival of the sacred site in a manner consistent with democratic values and cultural confidence.

 

3. Rajasthan to develop Alwar Biological Park in NCR region: Rajasthan government has planned a new Biological Park in Alwar district, which will become the first biological park of its kind in the National Capital Region (NCR).The park will be developed in the Kati Ghati–Jaisamand area of Alwar and will cover around 100 hectares of land.30% area will be developed as a zoo, while the remaining 70% will be maintained as green and natural forest space to ensure an eco-friendly environment.The biological park will house over 400 wild animals belonging to 81 species, including lions, cheetahs, Indian tiger species and African giraffes.A key attraction will be the availability of lion safari, tiger safari and herbivore safari at a single location, a first-of-its-kind feature in the NCR region.A high-tech animal rescue centre will be set up inside the park, developed on the lines of the Gir National Park rescue facility in Gujarat.The park will also include a modern veterinary hospital with advanced medical facilities and a dedicated team of wildlife doctors and forest officials.

 

4. India notifies GEI targets under Carbon Credit Trading Scheme: Government of India notified Greenhouse Gas Emission Intensity (GEI) targets in January 2026 for additional carbon-intensive sectors under the Carbon Credit Trading Scheme (CCTS).208 new obligated entities have been brought under the compliance framework, expanding coverage of the Indian Carbon Market (ICM).With this notification, the total number of obligated entities has increased to 490, strengthening India’s industrial decarbonisation framework.Greenhouse Gas Emission Intensity (GEI) refers to emissions per unit of output, focusing on efficiency improvement rather than absolute emission cuts.GEI-based targets allow industrial growth while reducing carbon footprint, making them suitable for developing economies like India.The move encourages adoption of cleaner technologies, energy efficiency measures, and sustainable production practices in emission-intensive industries.The notification was issued by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), the nodal ministry for climate policy and emission regulation.

 

5. India delivers cancer medicines to Afghanistan as humanitarian medical aid: India delivered 7.5 tonnes of life-saving cancer medicines to Kabul, reinforcing its humanitarian support to the people of Afghanistan, particularly in the health sector.The assistance was confirmed by the Ministry of External Affairs and forms part of India’s ongoing humanitarian outreach to Afghanistan.Cancer patients in Afghanistan face severe challenges due to shortages of medicines, weak healthcare infrastructure, and high treatment costs, making external medical support critical.The consignment aims to ensure continuity of cancer treatment, prevent therapy interruptions, and save lives of vulnerable patients dependent on essential oncology drugs.India reiterated its commitment to the Afghan people irrespective of political developments, focusing on health, food security, and essential humanitarian needs.The medical aid reflects India’s “people-first diplomacy”, prioritising humanitarian assistance in conflict-affected and fragile regions.

 

6. Odisha imposes complete ban on gutkha, pan masala, and tobacco products: Odisha State Health and Family Welfare Department announced a complete ban on gutkha, pan masala, and all products containing tobacco or nicotine to safeguard public health and prevent misuse.The ban covers manufacture, processing, packaging, storage, transportation, distribution, and sale of these products across the state.Both packaged and unpackaged products are included, even if components are sold separately but intended to be mixed for consumption.The notification makes Odisha fully compliant with the Supreme Court’s nationwide directives on prohibition of gutkha and pan masala.Odisha had earlier banned the sale of tobacco products in 2013, but the new notification removes loopholes and ensures strict and uniform enforcement.The ban applies to all chewable food products, whether flavoured or unflavoured, scented, or mixed with additives, and irrespective of the name or form under which they are sold.

 

7. Lucknow becomes first Zero Fresh Waste Dump city in Uttar Pradesh: Lucknow Municipal Corporation (LMC) has adopted a scientific and modern waste management system to manage solid waste generated by a population of around 40 lakh and nearly 7.5 lakh establishments.Lucknow inaugurated its third fresh waste processing plant at Shivari, making it the first city in Uttar Pradesh to process 100% of its fresh municipal waste scientifically. With this, the city has achieved the status of a ‘Zero Fresh Waste Dump’ city.The Shivari waste processing plant has a capacity of 700 metric tonnes per day (MT/day). With three plants operational, Lucknow’s total waste processing capacity is 2,100 MT/day, which matches the city’s daily waste generation of around 2,000 MT.LMC has partnered with Bhumi Green Energy to operate the three waste processing plants. Door-to-door waste collection efficiency stands at 96.53%, and over 70% waste is segregated at source.Daily waste is segregated into organic waste (55%) and inorganic waste (45%). Organic waste is converted into compost and biogas, while inorganic waste is recycled or converted into Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF) used in cement and paper industries.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Global Risks Report 2026 by World Economic Forum Identifies Geoeconomic Confrontation as Top Global Threat: The World Economic Forum (WEF) published the 21st edition of its annual risk assessment titled ‘Global Risks Report: 21st Edition Insight 2026’.Top global risks identified are geoeconomic confrontation, state-based conflict, extreme weather, social protection gaps, and misinformation.The 2026 global risks outlook is marked by pervasive uncertaintyExtreme weather has dropped from 2nd to 4th place in the two-year outlook, but remains the most severe long-term (10-year) risk.The report is based on the Global Risks Perception Survey (GRPS) with insights from 1,300 global leaders and experts, covering 33 key global risks.It also uses the Executive Opinion Survey (EOS 2026) with inputs from 11,000 business leaders in 116 economies to identify country-specific risks.GRPS 2025-26 featured 4 key components: risk landscape, consequences, risk governance, and outlook.The report examines global risks across 3 time horizons: immediate (2026), short-to-medium term (up to 2028), and long term (2036).

 

2. Albinder Dhindsa Appointed as Chief Executive Officer of Eternal Group Following Deepinder Goyal’s Exit: Deepinder Goyal resigned as Director, Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Eternal Limited with effect from 1 February 2026, subject to shareholders’ approval.Albinder Singh Dhindsa, currently CEO of Blinkit, has been appointed Group CEO and Key Managerial Personnel (KMP) of Eternal Limited, effective 1 February 2026.Deepinder Goyal will continue on the Board of Directors (BoD) of Eternal Limited as Vice Chairman, pending shareholder approval.As Vice Chairman, Deepinder Goyal will focus on high-risk and experimental ideas outside the company’s immediate strategic scope while remaining involved in long-term strategy and governance. Deepinder Goyal began his professional career as a management consultant at Bain & Company. In 2008, Deepinder Goyal co-founded Zomato Ltd. and served as its CEO since inception.

 

3. Ganesh Lakshminarayanan Appointed as Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Tata Communications Limited: Tata Communications Limited appointed Ganesh Lakshminarayanan as its new Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO). He will succeed A.S. Lakshminarayanan, who is set to retire on 13 April 2026. Ganesh Lakshminarayanan brings over 30 years of international management experience across technology, telecommunications, B2B start-ups, multinational corporations, and Indian enterprises. Prior to this appointment, he served as Managing Director and Group Vice President of ServiceNow India and the SAARC region. He was formerly the CEO of Airtel Business (India) and also headed Airtel’s Enterprise Business Unit. His leadership experience spans global enterprise services, digital transformation, and large-scale telecom operations. He has been elected twice to the Executive Council of NASSCOM, highlighting his role in India’s IT and technology ecosystem.

 

4. Brand Finance Global 500 2026 – IT Services Brands: Brand Finance released the “Brand Finance Global 500 2026” report, ranking the world’s most valuable IT services brands. Infosys ranked 3rd globally among IT services brands, with a brand value of USD 16.4 billion, Brand Strength Index (BSI) score of 86.8/100, and achieved a 15% Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) over the last six years. Accenture retained the 1st position as the world’s most valuable IT services brand, valued at USD 42.2 billion, with a BSI score of 90.7, reflecting strong investments in technology, consulting, and digital services. Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) secured the 2nd position with a brand value of USD 21.2 billion and BSI score of 84.6, holding the rank for the fifth consecutive year and achieving an AAA brand rating for the first time. The combined brand value of the world’s top 25 IT services brands stood at USD 167.2 billion in 2026.

 

5. International Day of Education 2026 – January 24: International Day of Education 2026 is observed on 24 January worldwide.The day was declared by the UN General Assembly in December 2018 to honour education and highlight its role in peace, development, and progress.

The day aims to advocate for universal access to quality education and to campaign for education reforms.Millions of children around the world are still denied this basic human right, with UNESCO estimating 258 million children out of school.Marginalized groups, people in unequal regions, and citizens of developing countries are the most affected.International Day of Education calls on governments, civil society, institutions, and individuals to ensure primary and secondary education for all children.The observance encourages the design of inclusive learning programs that cater to diverse populations, equipping children with the skills needed for employment and improved livelihoods.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

DEFENCE

 

1. Why the India–UAE Defence Talks Matter Amid a Fracturing Gulf Order: A brief, nearly two-hour visit to New Delhi by UAE President and Abu Dhabi ruler Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan — marked by a single meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi — has produced outcomes with implications far beyond the headline economic announcements. While the focus was on trade, energy and investment, the most consequential signal was political-strategic: the intention to negotiate an India–UAE “Strategic Defence Partnership”, a first for New Delhi with any Gulf country. India and the UAE reaffirmed the depth of their economic partnership. The two sides committed to doubling bilateral trade to $200 billion, announced a $3 billion LNG agreement, and confirmed fresh UAE investments, particularly in Gujarat. These build on a rapidly expanding relationship: the UAE is India’s third-largest trading partner, second-largest export destination, seventh-largest foreign investor, and the first country to sign a bilateral trade agreement with India in 2022.Yet the standout announcement was strategic rather than commercial — a proposed framework for a defence partnership, with details to be negotiated. Though still undefined, the very idea marks a shift in India’s engagement with West Asia, traditionally cautious and calibrated.

 

SPORTS

 

1. Surat’s Yash Rashiya Wins Gold at Roll Ball World Cup 2025: Yash Anil Rashiya, a 20-year-old Roll Ball athlete from Surat, has emerged as one of India’s brightest young sports talents after winning the gold medal at the 7th Roll Ball World Cup 2025 in Dubai. Representing Team India, Rashiya played a decisive role in the country’s title-winning campaign, marking a major milestone for Indian Roll Ball on the global stage and bringing international recognition to Surat’s growing sports ecosystem. Selected among 12 elite players to represent India, Rashiya delivered consistent match-winning performances throughout the tournament. During the league stage, he scored two goals each against Saudi Arabia and Brazil. He followed this with two crucial goals against Pakistan in the quarter-final, a vital goal against Egypt in the semi-final, and the match-winning goal in the final against Kenya. His contributions proved instrumental in India clinching the Roll Ball World Cup title.

 

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

 

1. Pixxel-Led Consortium to Develop India’s First Private National Earth Observation Satellite Constellation with Launches Planned Next Year: India’s first privately built national Earth Observation (EO) satellite constellation will be developed by a consortium led by Pixxel Space, with the first satellite launches expected next year.The Pixxel-led consortium signed an agreement with IN-SPACe (Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre) to build India’s first indigenous commercial EO constellation.The consortium includes PierSight, SatSure Analytics India, and Dhruva Space, and will deploy a total of 12 satellites.The project is valued at over ₹1,200 crore, marking a major boost to India’s private space ecosystem, with the government entrusting a strategic national mission to startups.By Q1 2027, the first four satellites are planned to be placed in orbit, with the remaining satellites launched in phases over subsequent years.Pixxel is a global space data company operating the world’s highest-resolution commercial hyperspectral imaging constellation.

 

2. China’s Fengyun-3D Satellite Detects Antarctic Iceberg A23a Approaching Complete Disintegration: China’s Fengyun-3D meteorological satellite detected that iceberg A23a, once the largest iceberg in the world by surface area, has entered the final stage of disintegration.A23a detached from Antarctica in 1986 and drifted across the Southern Ocean for nearly four decades.Recent satellite observations indicate that A23a’s main body has reduced to around 506 square kilometres, down from 4,170 square kilometres at detachment, and 948 square kilometres just three weeks earlier.The Fengyun-3D satellite, part of China’s Fengyun-3 constellation, has been tracking A23a continuously since 2023, providing high-resolution imagery with a spatial resolution of 250 metres.The rapid breakup of A23a is primarily due to hydrofracturing, where meltwater accumulates on the iceberg’s surface, forming ponds and lakes that exert pressure on internal cracks.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. Reserve Bank of India Issues Updated FEMA Regulations for Export and Import Transactions Effective 1 October 2026: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) issued the Foreign Exchange Management (Export and Import of Goods and Services) Regulations, 2026 under FEMA, 1999, introducing uniform timelines and enhanced monitoring for trade-related foreign exchange transactions.These regulations supersede the FEMA (Export of Goods & Services) Regulations, 2015 and will come into effect from 1 October 2026.The regulations are notified under Sections 7, 8, 10(6), and 47(2) of FEMA, 1999.They are applicable to exports, imports, and merchanting trade transactions, covering goods, services, software exports, and service imports.All references to RBI must be routed via the Platform for Regulatory Application, Validation and Authorisation (PRAVAAH) portal portal, and any doubtful transactions must be reported to the Directorate of Enforcement (ED) under the Ministry of Finance (MoF).

 

2. Indian fintech firm ZET Secures National Payments Corporation of India Nod to Enable UPI Payments via RuPay Credit Cards: Credit-focused Indian fintech firm ZET has received approval from the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) to operate as a Third-Party Application Provider (TPAP).With this approval, ZET becomes eligible to offer UPI services, marking a major step in integrating credit card functionality with the UPI ecosystem.After receiving NPCI approval, the company launched ZET UPI, enabling users to make UPI transactions using RuPay credit cards issued via the ZET platform.ZET UPI service is supported through a banking partnership with RBL Bank (earlier known as Ratnakar Bank Limited).

The transaction processing infrastructure is powered by Juspay, a payments technology platform.

 

3. Razorpay POS Obtains Reserve Bank of India Approval to Operate as Offline Payment Aggregator: Fintech major Razorpay’s offline payments arm, Razorpay POS, has received authorisation from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to operate as an offline payment aggregator (PA-P).With this approval, Razorpay now holds all three key RBI licences: online payment aggregator, cross-border payment aggregator (granted in December 2025), and offline payment aggregator.The PA-P (Offline) licence will enable Razorpay POS to expand in-store payment infrastructure and handle high-volume transactions across sectors such as large retail chains and SMEs.Currently, Razorpay POS offers a hardware suite including Android Smart POS, mPOS (magnetic stripe POS), and Soundbox devices, supporting secure and compliant in-store payments.

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. Banaras Literature Festival announces winners of 2nd Banaras Lit Fest Book Awards 2026: Banaras Literature Festival announced the winners of the 2nd Banaras Lit Fest Book Awards 2026, recognising outstanding literary contributions in English, Hindi, and other Indian languages.The awards honour fiction, poetry, non-fiction, translation, along with lifetime achievement and youth contribution, reflecting India’s diverse literary ecosystem.Veteran writer Namita Gokhale received the Bhartendu Harishchandra Lifetime Achievement Award for her long-standing contribution to Indian literature. She is best known for “Paro: Dreams of Passion” and is also the co-founder of the Jaipur Literature Festival.

 

Daily GK Update- 23rd Jan, 2026

 

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. VP C. P. Radhakrishnan Releases Hindi Edition of Dr. C. Palanivelu’s Autobiography “Palanivelu GUTS”: Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan released the Hindi edition of Dr. C. Palanivelu’s autobiography “Palanivelu GUTS” in New Delhi.Dr C. Palanivelu is an eminent surgeon who recognised the potential of laparoscopic surgery in the early 1990s and introduced it in Coimbatore in 1991, setting up South India’s first laparoscopic surgery centre.The Vice President described the book as an inspiring account of courage, perseverance, and ethical innovation in medicine; the event was also attended by Minister of State for Railways Ravneet Singh.

 

2. India Launches Responsible Nations Index to Assess Ethical Governance and Global Responsibility: India launched the Responsible Nations Index (RNI) at the Dr. Ambedkar International Centre, New Delhi, under the aegis of the World Intellectual Foundation (WIF).The RNI provides a global framework to assess countries on ethical governance, social well-being, environmental stewardship, and global responsibility.The Index is the result of a three-year academic and policy research initiative, with key contributions from Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) and Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Mumbai.

 

3. An Expert Panel Discussion titled “From Human Well-being to Global Stewardship: Rethinking Responsibility, Prosperity and Peace in the 21st Century” was held, chaired by N. K. Singh, Chairman of the 15th Finance Commission of India.Responsible Nations Index 2026: Country-wise Scores and RanksUnion Cabinet Extends Atal Pension Yojana till 2030-31 and Approves Rs 5,000 Crore Equity Support for SIDBI to Boost MSMEs: The Union Cabinet approved the continuation of the Atal Pension Yojana (APY) up to the financial year 2030-31, with government support for promotional, developmental activities and gap funding to expand outreach among unorganised sector workers.APY, launched on May 9, 2015, provides old-age income security, offering a guaranteed minimum pension of Rs 1,000 to Rs 5,000 per month starting at age 60, based on contributions; as of January 19, 2026, over 8.66 crore subscribers are enrolled.

 

4. Union Cabinet Approves ₹5,000 Crore Equity Infusion into SIDBI to Boost Credit for MSMEs: The Union Cabinet approved an equity infusion of ₹5,000 crore into SIDBI to expand credit availability for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).The infusion will be made in three tranches: ₹3,000 crore in 2025-26 and ₹1,000 crore each in 2026-27 and 2027-28, based on the respective book values of the previous financial years.The capital boost is expected to increase the number of MSME beneficiaries from 76.26 lakh to 102 lakh by 2027-28, generating employment for approximately 1.12 crore people. The additional equity will help SIDBI maintain a strong capital to risk-weighted assets ratio (CRAR), ensuring credit ratings remain healthy and allowing lending to MSMEs at competitive interest rates.

 

5. RBI Approves Re-appointment of Kaizad Bharucha as Deputy MD of HDFC Bank for Three Years: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has approved the re-appointment of Kaizad Bharucha as Whole-time Director and Deputy Managing Director of HDFC Bank for a fresh three-year term starting April 19, 2026.Kaizad Bharucha oversees key business verticals, strategy execution, and risk management at HDFC Bank; the announcement was positively received by markets, with the bank’s shares rising 0.38% on the BSE.

 

6. Deepinder Goyal to Step Down as Eternal Group CEO: Deepinder Goyal will step down as Founder and Group CEO of Eternal, with Blinkit CEO Albinder Dhindsa set to take over the role.

Goyal will continue on the company’s board of directors as Vice Chairman, ensuring leadership continuity during the transition.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Donroe Doctrine? How Trump’s Venezuela Operation Signals a Hard Reset of the Global Order in 2026: The opening days of 2026 delivered a jolt to the international system. In a swift, unilateral operation, the United States abducted Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, transferring them to U.S. custody on charges of undermining American security. Framed by U.S. President Donald Trump as a modern update of the 1823 Monroe Doctrine, the episode has been dubbed the “Donroe Doctrine” — a muscular assertion that Washington alone guarantees order in the Western Hemisphere. The muted global response has raised deeper questions about whether the post-1945 rules-based order is quietly collapsing. As 2026 unfolded, U.S. airborne forces carried out a rapid extraction of Venezuela’s leadership, bypassing diplomatic and multilateral channels altogether. The Trump administration justified the move as a security imperative, accusing the Maduro regime of threatening U.S. vital interests.The operation was not presented as an aberration, but as doctrine. Mr. Trump explicitly linked it to the Monroe Doctrine, reiterating that the United States would tolerate no extra-hemispheric interference in the Americas. What distinguishes this episode from Cold War interventions is its brazenness: a sitting head of state was seized and jailed without war, sanction, or international mandate.

 

2. International Conference Examines Trade’s Role in Global Energy Transition: A two-day International Conference on “Role of International Trade in Global Energy Transition” was organised at the National Law University Odisha campus in Cuttack, bringing together jurists, policymakers, academics, and international experts to deliberate on aligning global trade rules with climate and sustainability goals. The event highlighted the growing importance of trade law in facilitating a just and effective global energy transition. The conference was organised by the Centre for Trade and Investment Law in collaboration with the Centre for International Trade Law, NLU Odisha. It was held under the aegis of the World Trade Organization Chairs Programme at the National Law University Odisha. The forum aimed to examine how international trade can support clean energy transitions while addressing developmental concerns. Justice Biraja Prasanna of the Odisha High Court attended the conference as Chief Guest, while Professor N.L. Mitra participated as Guest of Honour. The event also saw the presence of Ambassador Ujal Singh Bhatia, former Chairperson of the WTO Appellate Body. Their participation underscored the relevance of legal and institutional perspectives in shaping trade responses to global energy challenges.

 

3. India Ranks Sixth in Asia Manufacturing Index 2026: India has ranked sixth among 11 Asian economies in the Asia Manufacturing Index (AMI) 2026, highlighting the need to strengthen its manufacturing competitiveness amid intensifying regional competition. The index evaluates the relative performance of major manufacturing hubs across Asia using a detailed, multi-dimensional framework. Now in its third year, the Asia Manufacturing Index is released by Dezan Shira & Associates, a pan-Asian market entry advisory firm headquartered in Hong Kong. The AMI assesses manufacturing competitiveness across eight key pillars and 43 sub-parameters, including infrastructure, labour, market access, regulatory environment, and supply chain resilience. The index is widely tracked by investors and policymakers to understand shifts in Asia’s manufacturing landscape.

 

4. Search Intensifies After Helicopter Disappears Near Mount Aso Volcano: Japanese authorities have launched an extensive search operation after a sightseeing helicopter vanished near one of the country’s most active volcanoes. The aircraft lost contact on Tuesday while flying close to Mount Aso in Kumamoto Prefecture, triggering an emergency response involving police and Japan’s Self-Defence Forces amid hazardous volcanic conditions. According to police, the helicopter went missing after reaching the summit area of Mount Aso, a highly active volcanic complex in southwestern Japan. A police search helicopter later reported discovering what appeared to be an aircraft near the first crater of Nakadake in Aso City. Officials cautioned that the object has not yet been formally identified as the missing helicopter and that further investigation of the site is planned.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

DEFENCE

 

1. Punjab Police Launches “Operation Parhar” to Dismantle Gangster Networks Across the State: Punjab Police launched “Operation Parhar” to dismantle organised gangster networks and work towards making the state crime-free.The operation involved around 2,000 police teams with nearly 12,000 personnel conducting simultaneous raids across Punjab.To encourage public participation, an Anti-Gangster Helpline (93946-93946) has been launched for citizens to report criminal activities.

 

2. 23 January – Parakram Diwas: Parakram Diwas is observed on 23 January every year to commemorate the birth anniversary of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose.The day celebrates Netaji’s courage, leadership, and contribution to India’s freedom struggle, especially through the Indian National Army (INA).

Government of India announced Parakram Diwas in 2021 to inspire patriotism and national pride among citizens.

 

3. Why the India–UAE Defence Talks Matter Amid a Fracturing Gulf Order: A brief, nearly two-hour visit to New Delhi by UAE President and Abu Dhabi ruler Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan — marked by a single meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi — has produced outcomes with implications far beyond the headline economic announcements. While the focus was on trade, energy and investment, the most consequential signal was political-strategic: the intention to negotiate an India–UAE “Strategic Defence Partnership”, a first for New Delhi with any Gulf country. India and the UAE reaffirmed the depth of their economic partnership. The two sides committed to doubling bilateral trade to $200 billion, announced a $3 billion LNG agreement, and confirmed fresh UAE investments, particularly in Gujarat. These build on a rapidly expanding relationship: the UAE is India’s third-largest trading partner, second-largest export destination, seventh-largest foreign investor, and the first country to sign a bilateral trade agreement with India in 2022.Yet the standout announcement was strategic rather than commercial — a proposed framework for a defence partnership, with details to be negotiated. Though still undefined, the very idea marks a shift in India’s engagement with West Asia, traditionally cautious and calibrated.

 

SPORTS

 

1. BCCI Inks ₹270 Crore Gemini Sponsorship Deal Ahead of IPL 2026: BCCI signed a ₹270 crore sponsorship deal with Google’s AI platform Gemini ahead of the IPL 2026 season, marking a major AI entry into Indian cricket.The deal comes after real money gaming platforms like Dream11 were banned, forcing BCCI to find new sponsors; Apollo Tyres later took over the jersey sponsorship for ₹579 crore.Tata Group continues as the IPL title sponsor, while the Gemini partnership highlights the rising interest of AI and tech companies in India’s biggest T20 league.

 

2. Surat’s Yash Rashiya Wins Gold at Roll Ball World Cup 2025: Yash Anil Rashiya, a 20-year-old Roll Ball athlete from Surat, has emerged as one of India’s brightest young sports talents after winning the gold medal at the 7th Roll Ball World Cup 2025 in Dubai. Representing Team India, Rashiya played a decisive role in the country’s title-winning campaign, marking a major milestone for Indian Roll Ball on the global stage and bringing international recognition to Surat’s growing sports ecosystem. Selected among 12 elite players to represent India, Rashiya delivered consistent match-winning performances throughout the tournament. During the league stage, he scored two goals each against Saudi Arabia and Brazil. He followed this with two crucial goals against Pakistan in the quarter-final, a vital goal against Egypt in the semi-final, and the match-winning goal in the final against Kenya. His contributions proved instrumental in India clinching the Roll Ball World Cup title.

 

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

 

1. Bharat Steel 2026 Summit to Focus on Sustainability and Technological Transformation in Steel Sector: Bharat Steel 2026, a two-day international conference-cum-exhibition, will be organised by the Ministry of Steel on 16–17 April 2026 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.The summit will focus on global steelmaking issues, including sustainability, supply chain resilience, and technological transformation in the steel sector.India is the world’s second-largest steel producer after China, and the government has set ambitious targets of 300 million tonnes steel capacity by 2030 and 500 million tonnes by 2047.

 

2. The Coming Copper Crunch: Why the Electric Vehicle Boom Is Running Into a Hard Resource Wall: The global pivot to electric vehicles (EVs) is often portrayed as a clean technological leap — quieter roads, lower emissions, and freedom from fossil fuels. Yet beneath this optimism lies a quieter constraint that could decisively shape the speed and cost of the transition: copper. As EV adoption accelerates worldwide, copper demand is rising at a pace that mining supply systems are ill-prepared to match. What is unfolding is not merely a market imbalance, but a structural resource challenge with economic, geopolitical and climate consequences. Copper is indispensable to electrification. Every electric vehicle relies on it — in batteries, motors, inverters, wiring harnesses, and charging systems. Beyond vehicles, copper underpins the charging infrastructure and power grids needed to support mass electrification.Over the past decade, EVs have shifted from niche products to the fastest-growing segment of the automotive industry. Global EV sales climbed from about 0.55 million units in 2015 to nearly 20 million units by 2025. In lockstep, EV-related copper consumption surged from roughly 27,500 tonnes to over 1.28 million tonnes. This sharp rise reveals copper as the hidden backbone of the EV revolution — a material without which electrification cannot proceed.

 

3. NASA Astronaut Sunita Williams Retires After 27-Year Spaceflight Career: Sunita Williams, one of the most accomplished astronauts in the history of human spaceflight, has retired from the NASA after an extraordinary 27-year career. Her retirement, effective December 27, 2025, follows a historic nine-month mission aboard the International Space Station, marking the end of a journey defined by endurance, leadership, and scientific excellence. Announcing her retirement, NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman described Williams as a trailblazer who shaped the future of exploration through her leadership on the International Space Station. He noted that her work advanced science and technology critical to the Artemis programme and future missions to Mars. Over nearly three decades, Williams emerged as one of NASA’s most respected astronauts, setting benchmarks in long-duration spaceflight and operational leadership.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. SAMPANN Pension Platform Integrated with DigiLocker to Provide Paperless Access for Pensioners: The Office of the Principal Controller of Communication Accounts (Pr CCA) Delhi has integrated SAMPANN (System for Accounting and Management of Pension) pension platform with DigiLocker, enabling digital access to pension documents for retirees under the Department of Telecommunications.The integration allows pensioners to retrieve key documents such as Pension Payment Orders (e‑PPOs), Gratuity Sanction Orders, Communication Sanctions, and Form‑16 electronically, removing the need for physical copies.Pensioners can access documents securely via DigiLocker anytime using a smartphone or desktop, supporting services like banking, medical reimbursements, and verification, ensuring convenience, transparency, and paperless processing.The SAMPANN platform, inaugurated in 2018, digitises the entire pension lifecycle, including case initiation, e‑PPO issuance, disbursement, accounting, grievance redressal, and life certificate submission, empowering pensioners to manage their records independently.

 

2. Canara Bank Becomes First to Integrate NBSL’s Plugin-Based UPI Solution into Canara aiPe: Canara Bank has partnered with NPCI BHIM Services Limited (NBSL) to integrate UPI services into its payment application Canara aiPe.NBSL, a wholly owned subsidiary of National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), manages India’s digital payment infrastructure.Canara Bank becomes the first bank to implement NBSL’s plugin-based UPI solution, enhancing digital payment capabilities for its users.

 

3. Payoneer India Gets RBI In-Principle Approval to Operate as Cross-Border Payment Aggregator: Payoneer India, a subsidiary of Payoneer Global, has received in-principle approval from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to operate as a Payment Aggregator – Cross Border (PA-CB).The PA-CB licence enables Payoneer India to facilitate cross-border payment transactions for merchants, including both inward (exports) and outward (imports) payments.

 

4. JPMorgan to Set Up Branch in GIFT City for Trading Equities and Financial Instruments: JPMorgan Chase & Co. is setting up a branch in Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City) to trade equities, derivatives, and other financial instruments, leveraging India’s low-tax financial hub.The branch is being established by JPMorgan Securities Plc, which has received a license from the International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA), GIFT City’s regulator.

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. APO National Award Honours Bakul Limbasiya for Productivity Leadership: Bakul Limbasiya, founder of Bhathwari Technologies, has been conferred the APO National Award, recognising his outstanding contribution to productivity, innovation, and leadership in India. The award marks a significant milestone not only for Limbasiya but also for India’s fast-growing lab-grown diamond industry, which is gaining global strategic and economic importance. The APO National Award is instituted by the Asian Productivity Organization and administered in India by the National Productivity Council under the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade. It is regarded as one of the highest national recognitions for advancing productivity and competitiveness across sectors. Past recipients include industrial and social leaders such as Anil Naik of Larsen & Toubro and Verghese Kurien, architect of India’s White Revolution, underscoring the award’s prestige.

 

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.