Daily GK Update- 28th Jan, 2026

 

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. President Droupadi Murmu Inaugurates Granth Kutir at Rashtrapati Bhavan to Promote India’s Classical Languages: President Droupadi Murmu inaugurated the Granth Kutir at Rashtrapati Bhavan, housing around 50 manuscripts and 2,300 books in 11 Indian classical languages covering subjects like epics, philosophy, science, history, governance, devotional literature, and the Constitution.The Granth Kutir aims to enhance awareness of India’s rich cultural and literary heritage, promote the spirit of unity in diversity, and support the preservation and promotion of classical languages through universities, libraries, and youth engagement.Developed under the Gyan Bharatam Mission, the initiative is a collaborative effort involving the central and state governments, universities, research institutions, cultural organisations, and individual donors, focusing on digitising and disseminating India’s manuscript heritage.

 

2. NSD to Host 25th Bharat Rang Mahotsav 2026 Across 40 Locations: National School of Drama (NSD) will organise the 25th Bharat Rang Mahotsav (BRM) 2026 from January 27 to February 20, across 40 locations in India, featuring productions from all seven continents, making it the largest and most inclusive edition ever.The festival will present 277 Indian productions (136 selected/invited), 12 international productions, and performances in 228 Indian and foreign languages and dialects, selected from 817 national and 34 international applications, highlighting unparalleled linguistic diversity.BRM 2026 significantly expands its cultural reach by including tribal, endangered, and regional languages, adding new centres in remote regions like Ladakh, Andaman & Nicobar, Lakshadweep, Mizoram, Meghalaya, Assam, Himachal Pradesh, and Haryana, and showcasing theatre in far-flung areas.

 

3. PM Modi Launches PM SVANidhi Credit Card, Flags Off Multiple Amrit Bharat Trains in Kerala: Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the PM SVANidhi Credit Card during his visit to Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.The credit card aims to benefit street vendors, hawkers, and footpath workers by providing easy access to formal credit across India.During the visit, the PM flagged off multiple trains, including Thiruvananthapuram–Tambaram, Nagercoil–Mangaluru, Thiruvananthapuram North–Charlapalli Amrit Bharat Express, and the Thrissur–Guruvayur Passenger train.

 

4. 25 National Voters’ Day: National Voters’ Day is observed every year on 25 January to mark the foundation day of the Election Commission of India (ECI).The day aims to encourage, facilitate and maximise enrolment of voters, especially new and young voters, across the country.The theme for NVD 2026 is “My India, My Vote”, with the tagline “Citizen at the Heart of Indian Democracy.

 

5. 25 January – National Tourism Day: National Tourism Day is observed every year on 25 January to highlight the importance of tourism in India’s economic growth and cultural exchange.

Theme 2026 – Rural and Community Centric TourismThe day aims to promote sustainable, responsible and inclusive tourism, encouraging people to explore India’s rich heritage and natural diversity.

 

6. Maharashtra Launches India’s First Menopause Clinics: Maharashtra has become the first state in India to establish dedicated menopause clinics within government hospitals and urban health facilities, marking a significant step towards women-centric public healthcare. The initiative aims to address the long-ignored physical and mental health challenges faced by women during menopause through structured and accessible medical support. Officials said the menopause clinics offer integrated services at a single location. These include expert medical consultations, mental health counselling, and screening for bone density, cardiovascular health, and hormonal balance. Essential medicines and lifestyle guidance are also provided, ensuring continuity of care without the need for multiple referrals. Menopause is a natural biological phase but is often associated with significant physical changes and psychological stress. Women commonly experience hormonal imbalance, osteoporosis, sleep disturbances, anxiety, and depression. The state government acknowledged that this stage has historically received limited attention within the public health system, despite its long-term impact on women’s quality of life.

 

7. Ajit Pawar Chartered Plane Crash in Baramati: A chartered aircraft carrying Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and Nationalist Congress Party chief Ajit Pawar crash-landed near the runway threshold at Baramati on Wednesday morning, triggering a major emergency response. The aircraft was flying from Mumbai to Baramati and met with the accident at around 8.45 am. Multiple casualties and injuries have been reported, with authorities still verifying final details. According to preliminary information, the chartered plane had departed from Mumbai and was scheduled to land at Baramati, Pawar’s political stronghold in Pune district. Pawar was reportedly travelling to attend a public rally linked to the Zilla Parishad elections. On board were five people, including two crew members, a personal security officer, and an attendant.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. GeM and WTC Mumbai Sign MoU to Boost MSME Participation and Global Outreach in Public Procurement: Government e-Marketplace (GeM) and World Trade Centre (WTC) Mumbai signed an MoU to enhance outreach and strengthen MSME participation in public procurement.The partnership will promote inclusive access for startups, women entrepreneurs, and small enterprises, focusing on capacity building, supplier outreach, and knowledge sharing in areas like AI, sustainability, and green procurement.GeM officials highlighted that with over one crore registered users, the collaboration aims to improve global visibility, market access, and make GeM a globally benchmarked digital procurement platform, supporting Atmanirbhar Bharat.

2. Kochi to Host Global Seaweed Expo and Summit on January 29-30.: The 7th India International Seaweed Expo & Summit will be held on January 29–30 at ICAR-CMFRI, bringing together global experts, policymakers, industry leaders, investors and entrepreneurs.Delegates from countries including the US, Russia, Australia, France, Maldives, Indonesia, Sri Lanka and Tanzania will discuss the economic, nutritional and environmental potential of seaweed, highlighting it as a sunrise sector for India.The two-day event is being organised by the Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC) in collaboration with CMFRI and CSIR-CSMCRI, with participation expected from senior officials of central government departments.

 

3. Japan Restarts Reactor at World’s Largest Kashiwazaki–Kariwa Nuclear Plant After 15 Years: Japan restarted Reactor No. 6 at the Kashiwazaki–Kariwa nuclear plant, the world’s largest nuclear power plant, nearly 15 years after the Fukushima nuclear disaster led to a nationwide shutdown of reactors.The Kashiwazaki–Kariwa plant is located northwest of Tokyo, and the reactor restart was delayed by one day due to an alarm malfunction, with commercial operations expected to begin next month.Before 2011, nuclear energy contributed about 30% of Japan’s electricity, and the country had planned to increase this share to around 50% by 2030, highlighting the importance of nuclear power in Japan’s energy strategy.

 

4. Gulfood 2026 Makes History in Dubai, India Named Partner Country for First Time: Gulfood 2026, the world’s largest annual food and beverage exhibition, will be held from January 26–30, 2026, making history as the first exhibition to operate simultaneously across two mega venues—Dubai World Trade Centre and Dubai Exhibition Centre, Expo City Dubai—with India as the partner country for the first time.India’s participation marks a major milestone with 161 exhibitors, a doubled Indian pavilion, and the Bharati Pavilion by APEDA, showcasing export-ready agri-food and agri-tech startups, including eight high-potential startups selected from over 100 applicants.Gulfood 2026 spans over 2.8 lakh sq metres across both venues, featuring 8,500+ exhibitors, 1.5 million products from 195 countries, and a strong focus on sustainability, innovation, and future food systems, recording a 100% expansion in a single year.

 

5. India, EU Boost Nuclear and Research Cooperation: India and the European Union have agreed to deepen cooperation on the peaceful uses of nuclear energy and expand collaboration in advanced research and innovation. The commitment was outlined in the Joint India–European Union Comprehensive Strategic Agenda released after their summit on January 27, 2026, reflecting a renewed focus on science-led strategic engagement. The two sides reaffirmed cooperation under the India–Euratom agreement on research and development in nuclear science and technology, which was signed in July 2020. Areas identified for enhanced collaboration include advanced materials for detectors, radiation safety, nuclear security and non-power applications of atomic energy. The agenda also highlighted cooperation in radio-pharmaceuticals, which have growing importance in healthcare diagnostics and cancer treatment. India and the EU agreed to strengthen cooperation in the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER), a flagship global fusion energy project. Both sides view fusion research as critical for long-term clean energy solutions.

OTHER UPDATES:

DEFENCE

 

1. Indian Naval Vessel INSV Kaundinya Reaches Muscat, Marking 70 Years of India-Oman Diplomatic Ties: The Indian Naval Sailing Vessel (INSV) Kaundinya reached Port Sultan Qaboos, Muscat, completing its maiden voyage from Porbandar, India, strengthening India-Oman ties.The vessel is a traditionally built stitched sail ship, inspired by a 5th-century ship depicted in Ajanta Caves paintings, and is named after the legendary Indian mariner Kaundinya.The visit coincides with the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between India and Oman, highlighting historical and cultural maritime connections.

 

2. Bangladesh, China Sign Deal to Produce UAVs Locally: Bangladesh has taken a significant step towards strengthening its indigenous defence manufacturing base by signing an agreement with china/">China to establish a facility for the production and assembly of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The move underscores Dhaka’s focus on technology transfer, capacity-building, and long-term self-reliance in aerial surveillance and defence platforms. The agreement was signed between the Bangladesh Air Force and China Electronics Technology Group Corporation International at the BAF headquarters in Dhaka Cantonment. The signing ceremony was attended by senior military and diplomatic officials, including the Air Chief Marshal of Bangladesh and the Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh. The deal marks a new phase in bilateral defence cooperation between the two countries. Under the pact, CETC will transfer critical technologies and provide technical assistance to enable Bangladesh to independently manufacture UAVs in the future. The agreement includes structured capacity-building measures aimed at developing local expertise in design, assembly, and systems integration. Over time, the facility is expected to reduce Bangladesh’s dependence on imports while enhancing operational flexibility.

 

SPORTS

 

1. ITBP Clinches Title at 5th LG Cup Ice Hockey Championship in Kargil, Ladakh: The 5th LG Cup Ice Hockey Championship concluded at the Biamathang Ice Hockey Ground, Kargil, Ladakh.ITBP won the men’s final by defeating the Ladakh Scouts team of the Indian Army.

 

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

 

1. Indian Scientists Discover Rare Worm-Like Amphibian ‘Gegeneophis valmiki’ in Northern Western Ghats: Indian scientists discovered a rare worm-like amphibian, Gegeneophis valmiki, in the northern Western Ghats, marking the first addition to its genus in over a decade.Gegeneophis valmiki is a caecilian, a limbless, blind amphibian that lives mostly underground, with eyes covered by bone and skin, making it nearly invisible.

 

2. SpaceX Completes First-Ever Medical Evacuation from ISS: SpaceX, led by Elon Musk, successfully conducted the first-ever medical evacuation mission from the International Space Station (ISS), safely returning four astronauts to Earth.The returning crew included NASA astronauts Zena Cardman and Mike Fincke, JAXA astronaut Kimiya Yui, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Oleg Platonov, who landed aboard SpaceX’s Dragon capsule off the coast of San Diego, USA.The astronauts concluded a 167-day mission, travelling nearly 71 million miles and completing over 2,670 orbits around Earth, returning earlier than scheduled due to medical reasons.

 

3. James Webb Captures Light-Bending Galaxy Cluster MACS J1149: NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope has delivered a striking new image of the distant Universe, revealing a massive galaxy cluster that bends light and warps space itself. The observation showcases MACS J1149.5+2223, a colossal cluster located around five billion light-years away in the constellation Leo, offering a vivid demonstration of one of astrophysics’ most powerful phenomena. MACS J1149.5+2223 is among the most massive galaxy clusters known to science. Astronomers have already confirmed more than 300 galaxies within its bounds, with several hundred more under analysis. Dominated by large, elliptical galaxies, the cluster is bound together by immense gravity, making it a key laboratory for studying how matter assembles on the largest cosmic scales. One of the most eye-catching features is a stretched spiral galaxy resembling a pink jellyfish near the cluster’s centre. This lensed galaxy is scientifically significant, as it previously hosted the most distant individual star ever detected and a supernova whose light appeared multiple times due to lensing delays. Such observations provide rare insights into stellar evolution in the early Universe.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. ZET Gets NPCI Nod to Launch UPI Payments on RuPay Credit Cards: ZET, an Indian fintech firm, has received NPCI approval to operate as a Third-Party Application Provider under the UPI framework.Following this approval, ZET has launched ZET UPI, allowing users to make UPI payments using RuPay credit cards issued through its platform.The transaction processing and technology infrastructure for ZET UPI is powered by Juspay, ensuring secure and smooth digital payments.

 

2. Odisha Launches Samikshya Portal for Finance Commission Projects : Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has launched the ‘Samikshya’ portal to enable real-time monitoring of projects funded under the State Finance Commission (SFC) and Central Finance Commission (CFC) grants. The digital platform marks a significant step towards strengthening transparency, accountability and timely delivery of public services at the grassroots level across the state. The Samikshya portal allows citizens, elected representatives and government officials to track the physical and financial progress of development works funded through SFC and CFC grants. These include projects related to roads, drinking water supply, sanitation, street lighting, parks and other essential public utilities. By offering real-time data, the portal seeks to reduce delays, curb cost overruns and improve the quality of local infrastructure delivery.

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. Lieutenant Colonel Sita Ashok Shelke, Sikkim Disaster Authority Honoured with Subhas Chandra Bose National Award 2026: Lieutenant Colonel Sita Ashok Shelke has been awarded the Subhas Chandra Bose National Award for Disaster Management 2026 in the individual category for her exceptional contributions in disaster management.The Sikkim State Disaster Management Authority has been selected for the award in the institutional category. These awards honour outstanding efforts in disaster preparedness, response, and resilience, recognising exemplary contributions across India.

 

Daily GK Update- 27th Jan, 2026

 

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

Government releases 32nd NeSDA Way Forward Monthly Report for States/UTs: The Department of Administrative Reforms & Public Grievances (DARPG) released the 32nd edition of the NeSDA Way Forward report (December 2025), providing a comprehensive overview of e-service delivery across States and Union Territories.As per the report, 24,090 e-services are being delivered across States/UTs, with the Local Governance & Utility Services sector accounting for the highest share (8,656 services); additionally, 156 new e-services were added in November 2025.21 States/UTs achieved over 90% saturation of 59 mandatory e-services, while portals such as Assam (Sewa Setu), J&K (e-UNNAT), Karnataka (Seva Sindhu), Odisha (Odisha One), MP (MP e-Service), Uttarakhand (Apuni Sarkar) and Kerala (e-Sevanam) provide 100% services.The report highlights best practices from Central Government portals, city-level digital platforms (notably Puducherry and Guwahati municipalities), and presents AAKLAN parameter-wise insights on five assessment parameters for State/UT Unified Service Delivery Portals.

 

Gujarat and Odisha Power Utilities Top This Year’s Performance Rankings: Gujarat’s power distribution utilities emerged as top performers in the 14th Integrated Rating and Ranking Report by the Power Ministry, with four Gujarat discoms in the top 10.Odisha’s private power utilities also ranked among the best performers, highlighting strong performance in both public and private sectors across the country.Out of 65 evaluated utilities, 31 were rated A+ or A, including 44 state-owned discoms, 12 private discoms, and 11 power departments, with several utilities from Punjab, UP, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal, Himachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Tamil Nadu, and Maharashtra showing improvement.The report pegged discoms’ accumulated losses at Rs. 6.47 trillion and total borrowings at Rs. 7.26 trillion for FY 2024-25, showing a slight reduction from Rs. 6.91 trillion losses and Rs. 7.58 trillion borrowings in FY 2023-24.

 

India Sends 7.5 Tonnes of Life-Saving Cancer Medicines to Kabul as Part of Healthcare Cooperation: India delivered 7.5 tonnes of life-saving cancer medicines to Kabul, reinforcing its humanitarian and healthcare cooperation with Afghanistan.The medical assistance aims to support cancer patients in Afghanistan and strengthen access to critical healthcare supplies.The initiative follows a bilateral meeting in December between Afghanistan’s Public Health Minister Mawlawi Noor Jalal Jalali and India’s Health Minister JP Nadda to enhance healthcare cooperation between the two countries.

 

Tata Communications Appoints Ganesh Lakshminarayanan as MD and CEO-Designate: Tata Communications has appointed Ganesh Lakshminarayanan as Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer-Designate of Tata Communications Limited.He brings over 30 years of international management experience, having worked with multinational corporations, B2B start-ups, and Indian enterprises.Prior to this role, he served as MD and Group Vice President for ServiceNow India & SAARC, and earlier was CEO of Airtel Business and Airtel’s Enterprise Business unit.

Arijit Basu Appointed Chairman of IndusInd Bank: Arijit Basu has been appointed as the new Chairman of IndusInd Bank, effective January 31, 2026, succeeding Sunil Mehta after completion of his tenure, with approval from the RBI.He currently serves as an independent director on the boards of Prudential Plc, Peerless Hospitex and Hospital Research Centre, and CleanMax Enviro Energy Solutions.

 

Akashlabdhi Advances India’s Inflatable Space Habitat Mission: India is edging closer to a new milestone in human spaceflight as a Bengaluru-based startup prepares to launch the country’s first inflatable space habitat. Akashlabdhi, incubated at the Indian Institute of Science, has completed critical safety and validation tests in Switzerland, paving the way for an in-orbit demonstration of its habitat technology later this year. Conventional space stations such as the International Space Station have faced long-standing challenges of cost, mass, and limited habitable volume. Akashlabdhi’s inflatable habitat, named AntarikshHAB, is designed to address these constraints. The concept allows a compact module to be launched and later inflated in orbit, significantly increasing usable living space. The upcoming mission will deploy a 70 cubic metre module, while the final planned configuration aims for nearly 300 cubic metres, suitable for future human missions in low Earth orbit.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

MSDE Signs Landmark MoU with World Economic Forum to Strengthen India’s TVET and Skills Ecosystem: The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) signed a landmark MoU with the World Economic Forum (WEF) to deepen cooperation in skill development, vocational education, and training.The MoU aims to strengthen India’s Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) ecosystem by aligning skilling initiatives with industry needs and global economic demands.Under the agreement, MSDE and WEF will launch a Skills Accelerator in India, a multi-stakeholder platform to identify, scale, and accelerate innovative skilling solutions and public–private partnerships.The collaboration builds on momentum from India’s participation in the 55th WEF Annual Meeting held in Davos-Klosters, Switzerland (January 2025), marking a new phase in India–WEF cooperation.

 

India and Namibia Agree to Deepen Cooperation in Defence, Critical Minerals, and Key Sectors: India and Namibia held the 5th round of Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) on January 19–20 to enhance collaboration in health, Digital Public Infrastructure, agriculture, defence, and critical minerals.The meeting was co-chaired by Janesh Kain (Joint Secretary, MEA) and Ambassador Charles Josob (Acting Head, Namibia’s Ministry of International Relations and Trade) and conducted in a cordial and friendly atmosphere.Both countries reviewed progress from recent high-level exchanges and agreed to hold the next round of consultations in Windhoek, Namibia, at a mutually convenient date to further strengthen bilateral cooperation.

 

India Ranks 8th Among 11 Countries in AI Investment, WEF Report Reveals: India ranks 8th among 11 countries in terms of historical accumulated investments in the artificial intelligence (AI) ecosystem between 2010 and 2024, measured as a percentage of 2024 GDP.According to the World Economic Forum (WEF) white paper “Rethinking AI Sovereignty”, India’s AI investments since 2010 accounted for 1.2–1.8% of its 2024 GDP, lower than the US (3.4–5.1%), Singapore (3.1–4.6%), South Korea (2.2–3.3%), and China (1.7–2.6%).Countries performing below India include Europe (excluding the UK) and Brazil, while those above include UAE, Japan, Canada, and the UK; globally, most AI investments were concentrated in hardware by TSMC and UMC.

 

24 January – International Day of Education: International Day of Education is observed annually on 24 January to recognise the role of education in peace, development, and global progress.

Theme 2026 – The power of youth in co-creating educationThe day was proclaimed by the United Nations in 2018 to highlight the importance of inclusive, equitable, and quality education for all.

 

International Data Privacy Day Highlights Digital Trust Imperative: International Data Privacy Day, observed annually on 28 January, underscores the growing importance of protecting personal data in an increasingly digital world. Also known as Data Protection Day, it commemorates the signing of Convention 108 in 2006 by the Council of Europe, the world’s first legally binding international treaty on data protection. The observance highlights the shared responsibility of governments, digital platforms, and citizens in building a secure and trusted digital ecosystem. India’s rapid digitalisation has transformed governance and service delivery at an unprecedented scale. Digital public infrastructure now underpins identity verification, payments, healthcare, education, and citizen participation. Platforms such as Aadhaar, UPI, and MyGov have enhanced inclusion and efficiency, while eSanjeevani has expanded access to healthcare through large-scale telemedicine. This vast scale reinforces the need for strong privacy and security safeguards to sustain public trust.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

DEFENCE

 

Bangladesh, China Sign Deal to Produce UAVs Locally: Bangladesh has taken a significant step towards strengthening its indigenous defence manufacturing base by signing an agreement with China to establish a facility for the production and assembly of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The move underscores Dhaka’s focus on technology transfer, capacity-building, and long-term self-reliance in aerial surveillance and defence platforms. The agreement was signed between the Bangladesh Air Force and China Electronics Technology Group Corporation International at the BAF headquarters in Dhaka Cantonment. The signing ceremony was attended by senior military and diplomatic officials, including the Air Chief Marshal of Bangladesh and the Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh. The deal marks a new phase in bilateral defence cooperation between the two countries. Under the pact, CETC will transfer critical technologies and provide technical assistance to enable Bangladesh to independently manufacture UAVs in the future. The agreement includes structured capacity-building measures aimed at developing local expertise in design, assembly, and systems integration. Over time, the facility is expected to reduce Bangladesh’s dependence on imports while enhancing operational flexibility.

 

Indian Navy Training Squadron Deepens Maritime Ties With Indonesia: India and Indonesia reinforced their maritime partnership as the Indian Navy’s First Training Squadron concluded a successful port call at Belawan, underscoring growing naval cooperation in the Indian Ocean and Southeast Asia. The visit aligned with India’s Act East Policy and the broader vision of MAHASAGAR, aimed at strengthening regional maritime security and engagement. The Indian Navy’s First Training Squadron (1TS), comprising INS Tir, INS Shardul, INS Sujata, and ICGS Sarathi, departed Belawan on January 23 after a three-day port call. During the visit, Indian naval personnel and trainees interacted extensively with the Indonesian Navy, enhancing professional understanding and operational familiarity. Capt. Tijo K Joseph, Senior Officer of 1TS, along with commanding officers of the squadron ships, called on Rear Admiral Deny Septiana, Commander of Naval Area Command I (Koarmada I). Discussions focused on shared maritime interests, regional security challenges, and opportunities for deeper naval cooperation between the two countries.

 

Israel Shifts Focus To Disarming Hamas In Gaza: Israel has signalled a new phase in its Gaza policy after the recovery of the last hostage held in the Palestinian territory. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel’s priority would now be the complete disarmament of Hamas and the demilitarisation of Gaza, while reiterating opposition to the creation of a Palestinian state in the enclave. Addressing a televised press conference, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the return of the final hostage marked the end of the first phase of Israel’s objectives in Gaza. He stated that Israel was now focused on eliminating Hamas’s military capabilities, including weapons stockpiles and underground tunnel networks. Netanyahu stressed that Israel would retain long-term security control over Gaza and the occupied West Bank to prevent future threats.

 

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

 

Indian Railways Deploys Humanoid Robot ‘ASC ARJUN’ at Visakhapatnam Station to Enhance Passenger Safety: Indian Railways has deployed a humanoid robot named ‘ASC ARJUN’ at Visakhapatnam Railway Station, marking a first-of-its-kind initiative to enhance passenger safety, security, and service delivery.ASC ARJUN has been fully designed and developed in Visakhapatnam using home-grown technology, with a dedicated team working over a year to integrate advanced systems into daily railway operations.The robot is equipped with Face Recognition System (FRS) for intrusion detection, AI-based crowd monitoring, real-time alerts to RPF control rooms, and can make automated announcements in English, Hindi, and Telugu to guide passengers and improve safety awareness.

 

Digital India BHASHINI Division Signs MoU with Survey of India for AI-Based Toponym Data Digitisation: Digital India BHASHINI Division (DIBD), MeitY, signed an MoU with the Survey of India (SoI) to digitise, transcribe, and standardise geographical place names (toponyms) using AI-based speech and language technologies.The collaboration aims to create accurate, multilingual, and standardised toponymic datasets aligned with the National Geospatial Policy, 2022, covering over 16 lakh locations.BHASHINI’s speech-to-text and language processing capabilities will convert audio recordings of place names into structured digital text, supporting the Toponymy Database and integration into national mapping systems.The initiative will enhance the National Geographical Name Information System (NGNIS) by enabling efficient processing, validation, and standardisation of toponymic data in local scripts, Devanagari, Roman, and other formats, ensuring consistency across maps, digital platforms, and governance systems.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

RBI to Inject Over ₹2 Lakh Crore into Banking System Through Liquidity Measures: RBI announced liquidity measures to inject over ₹2 lakh crore (~$23 billion) into the banking system, using a mix of open market bond purchases, foreign exchange swaps, and variable rate repo operations.On January 30, 2026, RBI will conduct a 90-day variable rate repo (VRR) of ₹25,000 crore, allowing banks to borrow funds at market-determined rates against collateral.On February 4, 2026, the central bank will carry out a USD/INR buy/sell swap auction of $10 billion with a tenor of three years, aimed at injecting durable rupee liquidity.RBI will purchase government securities worth ₹1,00,000 crore through open market operations in February, in two tranches of ₹50,000 crore each on February 5 and February 12.

 

Payoneer India Receives RBI In-Principle Approval as Cross-Border Payment Aggregator: Payoneer India, a subsidiary of Payoneer Global, has received in-principle approval from the RBI to operate as a Payment Aggregator – Cross Border (PA-CB), enabling it to facilitate cross-border transactions for merchants.The approval comes as 19 entities are now fully authorised with a PA-CB licence, while Payoneer’s global parent is a regulated entity in countries including the US, UK, Europe, Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore, China, and Australia.

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

Government Announces 131 Padma Awards for 2026: Padma Awards, among India’s highest civilian honours, are conferred in three categories: Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Shri.For 2026, the government announced 5 Padma Vibhushan, 13 Padma Bhushan, and 113 Padma Shri awards.The list includes 19 women awardees, 6 individuals from Foreigners/NRI/PIO/OCI category, and 16 posthumous honours.

 

National Awards To Honour Model Youth Gram Sabha Winners: The Ministry of Panchayati Raj is set to recognise young champions of grassroots democracy through a National Award Ceremony for the Model Youth Gram Sabha (MYGS) initiative on 28 January 2026 in New Delhi. The event reflects a growing emphasis on civic education and youth participation in India’s democratic institutions. The ceremony is being jointly organised by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj, the Ministry of Education (Department of School Education and Literacy), and the Ministry of Tribal Affairs. Union Ministers of State S. P. Singh Baghel and Sukanta Majumdar will grace the occasion, along with senior officials from education and tribal institutions. The MYGS initiative has seen participation from over 28,000 students drawn from 619 Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas and 200 Eklavya Model Residential Schools across the country. Students engaged in simulated Gram Sabha and Gram Panchayat proceedings, gaining hands-on exposure to local governance and democratic decision-making.

 

Daily GK Update- 26th Jan, 2026

 

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Union Minister Launches ₹82.5-Crore Bamboo Projects in Northeast: The Union Minister for Development of North Eastern Region and Communications, Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, on Monday launched two major bamboo sector projects worth ₹82.5 crore in Guwahati, reinforcing the Centre’s focus on livelihood generation, sustainable industry, and economic integration of the North Eastern Region with national markets. Speaking at the launch event in Guwahati, the Minister said the North East has transformed from a “frontier region” into a “frontrunner of India” under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He noted that the past 12 years have witnessed significant improvements in connectivity, infrastructure, and economic opportunities, with bamboo emerging as a strategic resource for inclusive growth. As part of the initiative, a traditional bamboo artisans’ cluster will be established to train more than 4,400 youths, strengthening skill development and employment at the grassroots level. In addition, two Engineered Bamboo Products manufacturing units will be set up, one in Karbi Anglong district of Assam and another in Mokokchung district of Nagaland. These units aim to promote value-added bamboo products and reduce dependence on raw material sales.

 

2. New Strobilanthes Species Discovered in Arunachal Pradesh: A new flowering plant species has been formally documented from Arunachal Pradesh, reinforcing the Himalayan state’s status as one of India’s richest biodiversity regions. The discovery highlights the continuing importance of systematic botanical exploration in remote and ecologically sensitive landscapes that remain under-studied. The species, “Strobilanthes riteshii”, belonging to the family Acanthaceae, was recorded during recent floristic surveys at Chayangtajo in East Kameng district of Arunachal Pradesh. The discovery was made by researchers from the Botanical Survey of India, Arunachal Pradesh Regional Centre, in collaboration with the Agharkar Research Institute. The plant is currently known only from its type locality, emphasising its potentially narrow distribution. According to researchers, “Strobilanthes riteshii” occurs at an elevation of around 1,600 metres. It grows along open hill slopes and roadsides, often near small waterfalls and streams within evergreen forest patches. Flowering has been observed between August and October, while fruiting takes place from September to December. Such habitat specificity suggests the species may be sensitive to environmental disturbance and infrastructure expansion.

 

3. Tamil Nadu Diabetes Surge Signals National Public Health Emergency: India is facing a rapidly intensifying diabetes epidemic, with Tamil Nadu emerging as a major hotspot. Recent evidence highlights a sharp rise in both diabetes and prediabetes, signalling deep-rooted lifestyle and dietary challenges. Experts warn that without urgent policy and behavioural interventions, the burden of non-communicable diseases could overwhelm health systems. India currently has around 101 million people living with diabetes and nearly 136 million with prediabetes. Tamil Nadu shows one of the steepest increases. According to the ICMR–INDIAB study, diabetes prevalence among adults above 20 years in the state rose from 11.1% in 2008–2010 to 22.7% in 2022–2023, a 104% increase. Prediabetes nearly doubled from 12.2% to 24.8% during the same period. This places nearly 12 million people in Tamil Nadu with diabetes, with another 10 million at high risk of developing it within a few years. The diabetes epidemic is no longer confined to cities. Rural Tamil Nadu recorded an increase in diabetes prevalence from 8.3% to 18.3%, marking a 120% rise. This faster rural growth reflects changing lifestyles, reduced physical activity, and dietary transitions even outside urban centres. The rapid progression from prediabetes to diabetes, often within four years, suggests the crisis is far from peaking.

 

4. Akshita Dhankar Unfurls Tricolour With President on Republic Day: Flight Lieutenant Akshita Dhankar created history by unfurling the national flag alongside President Droupadi Murmu during the 77th Republic Day celebrations in New Delhi. The ceremonial honour highlighted India’s growing emphasis on women in uniform and marked a defining moment in Dhankar’s young but distinguished military career. Born in Kasni village in Haryana, Akshita Dhankar hails from a family with strong ties to the armed forces. Her father also served in the Indian Air Force, shaping her early aspiration to join the services. Growing up in a disciplined environment, she developed a deep sense of duty and commitment towards national service from a young age. Dhankar pursued her higher education at Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Khalsa College in Delhi, where she joined the National Cadet Corps. Her leadership abilities came to the fore when she rose to the rank of Cadet Sergeant Major, a distinction that reflects exceptional discipline and organisational skills. Her NCC experience played a crucial role in preparing her for a career in the armed forces.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Neolithic Relics Unearthed at Lakkundi Boost UNESCO Bid: Excavations at Lakkundi village in Karnataka’s Gadag district have yielded relics dating back to the Neolithic period, significantly strengthening efforts to secure UNESCO World Heritage status for the historic settlement. The findings underline Lakkundi’s deep antiquity and layered cultural history, extending far beyond its well-known medieval temples. The excavation, which began on January 16 at the premises of the Kote Veerabhadreshwar temple, is part of a renewed initiative to restore Lakkundi’s historical prominence. The discovery follows a recent incident in which villagers unearthed valuable artefacts while digging foundations for a house, prompting renewed archaeological attention. Located about 12 kilometres from Gadag town, Lakkundi was once celebrated as the “village of hundred wells and temples,” many of which are believed to remain buried beneath present-day structures.

 

2. International Customs Day 2026 Highlights Role of Customs Worldwide: International Customs Day (ICD) is observed every year on January 26 to acknowledge the critical role played by customs administrations in facilitating international trade, securing national borders, and preventing the illegal movement of goods. The observance underlines how customs authorities balance trade facilitation with enforcement, revenue collection, and national security. International Customs Day traces its origins to 1953, when the first session of the Customs Cooperation Council was convened in Brussels. Over time, the organisation evolved into the World Customs Organization, which today represents 183 member countries. The WCO works to harmonise customs procedures, strengthen enforcement mechanisms, and promote secure and efficient global trade systems. For 2026, the World Customs Organization has announced the theme: “Customs protecting society through vigilance and commitment.” The theme reflects the growing responsibilities of customs administrations in an era marked by expanding e-commerce, complex global supply chains, and rising cross-border crime. It highlights the need for innovation, digital transformation, and adaptive strategies to respond to emerging threats while ensuring trade flows remain resilient.

 

3. UAE Exit from Islamabad Airport Deal Jolts Pakistan: Pakistan has suffered an unexpected strategic and economic setback after the “United Arab Emirates” withdrew from plans to operate Islamabad International Airport. The decision comes amid rapidly shifting regional alignments and shortly after a high-profile India visit by UAE President “Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan”, fuelling speculation over wider geopolitical implications. The proposal, under discussion since August 2025, envisaged UAE entities taking over the operation of Islamabad International Airport to improve efficiency and revenues. However, Abu Dhabi reportedly failed to identify a suitable local partner in Pakistan and officially cited a “loss of interest” as the reason for pulling out. Pakistan’s “The Express Tribune” confirmed that no political rationale was formally attached to the decision.

 

4. Israel to Reopen Rafah Crossing Only for Gaza Pedestrians: Israel has agreed to a limited reopening of the Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt, allowing only pedestrian movement under strict conditions. The decision comes as part of a fragile truce framework and follows intense diplomatic engagement, amid mounting international pressure to ease humanitarian access to the war-ravaged Palestinian territory. According to an official statement from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office, Israel will permit pedestrian passage through the Rafah crossing subject to a full Israeli inspection mechanism. The reopening is conditional on the recovery of the remains of the last Israeli hostage in Gaza and what Israel described as a “100 percent effort” by Hamas to locate and return all deceased hostages. Vehicular movement and large-scale aid convoys remain excluded under the current plan. The Rafah crossing is Gaza’s sole gateway not directly controlled by Israel and has historically been a lifeline for civilians seeking medical treatment abroad and for the entry of humanitarian aid. It has remained closed since Israeli forces took control of the area during the conflict. Aid agencies and world leaders have repeatedly urged Israel to reopen the crossing to address acute shortages of food, medicine, and essential supplies for Gaza’s 2.2 million residents.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

DEFENCE

 

1. Bhairav Battalion and Suryastra Debut at Republic Day Parade: The 77th Republic Day celebrations at Kartavya Path marked a decisive shift in the Indian Army’s operational messaging, with the first public appearance of new combat formations and indigenous weapon systems. The parade reflected India’s evolving military doctrine, emphasising agility, indigenous firepower, and battlefield realism over ceremonial tradition. The Bhairav light commando battalion, raised in October 2025, made its maiden public appearance during the parade. The 4 Bhairav Battalion of the Sikh Light Infantry Regiment has been created to bridge the operational gap between conventional infantry units and special forces. Designed for swift, high-intensity missions, the battalion enhances India’s ability to conduct agile combat operations in varied and challenging terrain, reflecting a future-ready force structure. The Universal Rocket Launcher System (URLS) ‘Suryastra’ was showcased for the first time, underlining a major leap in indigenous rocket artillery capability. Developed as India’s first universal multi-calibre long-range rocket launcher, Suryastra is engineered to deliver precision surface-to-surface strikes at ranges of 150 kilometres and 300 kilometres. Unlike traditional platforms, it can integrate multiple rocket and missile variants on a single launcher, offering flexibility and adaptability across diverse combat scenarios.

 

2. Bactrian Camels Make Historic Republic Day Parade Debut: For the first time in India’s history, double-humped Bactrian camels from Ladakh marched down Kartavya Path during the Republic Day Parade. Named Galwan and Nubra, their appearance was more than ceremonial. It highlighted a rare Himalayan species, its strategic value for India, and its deep historical links to the ancient Silk Route. Bactrian camels, locally known as Mundri camels, are native to Ladakh’s cold desert ecosystem. India has only about 365 of these camels, most of them confined to the Nubra Valley. They are uniquely adapted to survive extreme cold, thin air, intense ultraviolet radiation, and sparse vegetation. Temperatures in their habitat can fall below minus 30°C, conditions where mechanical transport often fails. These camels are specialised for high-altitude, arid terrain. They can comfortably carry loads of 150 kilograms and traverse 10–12 kilometres daily at altitudes of 14,000–15,000 feet. Their two humps act as fat-based energy reserves, allowing them to survive without food for up to two or three weeks. As the stored fat is used, the humps gradually shrink. Research shows they can endure temperatures as low as minus 40°C and even consume snow to meet hydration needs in winter.

 

3. Shaurya Chakra Citation Confirms Army’s Covert Myanmar Operation: In a rare official disclosure, the Indian government has formally acknowledged a covert military operation conducted by the Indian Army along the Indo-Myanmar border in July 2025. The confirmation has come through a Shaurya Chakra citation, marking the first time such a cross-border action has been publicly recognised via a gallantry award document. According to the citation, the operation was carried out between July 11 and 13, 2025, targeting camps of a notorious anti-national group operating from Myanmar. The action resulted in the elimination of nine armed cadres, including senior leaders. Official acknowledgment of such missions is uncommon, making this disclosure significant in India’s military and strategic communication landscape. The Shaurya Chakra was awarded to Lieutenant Colonel Ghatage Aditya Shrikumar of the 21 Para (Special Forces) for planning and personally leading the precision strike. The Shaurya Chakra is India’s third-highest peacetime gallantry award, following the Ashoka Chakra and the Kirti Chakra, and is conferred for exceptional courage away from the battlefield.

SPORTS

 

1. Savita Punia Says Padma Shri Recognises Indian Women’s Hockey: Indian women’s hockey goalkeeper Savita Punia described her Padma Shri honour as a recognition of the entire national team rather than an individual achievement. The announcement came as a surprise for the veteran player, who called the award a moment of pride for her family and a morale boost for women’s hockey after a challenging phase. Reacting to the announcement, Savita said she was both excited and nervous on hearing the news. She dedicated the Padma Shri to her father, Mahender Punia, who has consistently supported her sporting journey. Calling the honour deeply personal, the goalkeeper said her family had long awaited such recognition after years of sacrifice and perseverance behind her career. Savita underlined that the Padma Shri should be seen as recognition for the Indian women’s hockey team. Acknowledging that it is formally an individual award, she said the honour symbolises the collective effort and resilience of the squad. She thanked Hockey India for its continued backing and stressed that the team celebrated the news together.

 

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

 

1. Rice University Breakthrough Promises Faster PFAS Pollution Cleanup: Scientists at Rice University have developed a new filtration material that could significantly accelerate the removal of PFAS, widely known as “forever chemicals,” from contaminated water. The technology may absorb certain PFAS compounds up to 100 times faster than existing methods, offering a potential boost to pollution control and environmental remediation efforts. PFAS are a large class of more than 16,000 synthetic chemicals used to make products resistant to water, stains, and heat. Their strong carbon–fluorine bonds make them extremely durable, allowing them to accumulate in soil and water over decades. Exposure has been linked to cancers, kidney and liver disease, immune disorders, and developmental defects, prompting growing concern among regulators and public health experts. Existing treatment technologies such as granular activated carbon, reverse osmosis, and ion exchange can capture PFAS from water, but they do not eliminate them. The trapped chemicals must either be stored as hazardous waste or destroyed using high-temperature thermal processes. These methods are energy-intensive and often produce toxic byproducts or break large PFAS molecules into smaller, equally persistent ones. To date, no widely adopted industrial-scale technology fully destroys PFAS.

 

2. Earthquake Sensors Offer New Way To Track Falling Space Junk: As Earth’s orbit becomes increasingly crowded with satellites, scientists are developing new tools to manage the growing risk from falling space debris. A recent study shows that earthquake monitoring systems can be repurposed to track uncontrolled objects reentering Earth’s atmosphere by detecting the sonic booms they generate, potentially improving safety and debris recovery efforts. Researchers found that seismic readings captured during the 2024 reentry of a discarded module from China’s Shenzhou-15 crew capsule over Southern California provided crucial insights. By analysing sonic booms recorded by more than 120 seismometers, scientists were able to reconstruct the object’s trajectory. The results placed the debris path nearly 30 kilometres south of where radar-based orbital predictions had indicated, highlighting limitations in current tracking once objects begin breaking up in the atmosphere. Objects in orbit are tracked with high precision, but once they descend at supersonic speeds and fragment, monitoring becomes far more difficult. According to lead researcher Benjamin Fernando of Johns Hopkins University, this gap poses challenges for hazard assessment and recovery, especially if debris contains hazardous materials. Seismic networks offer a ground-based method to bridge this critical final phase of tracking.

 

3. Webb Telescope Delivers Sharpest Dark Matter Map Yet: Scientists have unveiled the most detailed map ever created of dark matter, offering an unprecedented view of the invisible framework that shapes the universe. Using observations from the James Webb Space Telescope, the new map provides deeper and sharper insight into how galaxies formed and evolved during a critical phase of cosmic history. Ordinary matter, which forms stars, planets, and living beings, accounts for only about 15% of all matter in the universe. The remaining majority is dark matter, a mysterious substance that neither emits nor reflects light. Its presence is inferred through gravitational effects, such as the rotation speeds of galaxies, the stability of galaxy clusters, and the bending of light from distant objects. The new dark matter map was created using weak gravitational lensing. As light from distant galaxies travels through space, it is subtly distorted by massive structures along the way. By analysing shape distortions in nearly 250,000 background galaxies, scientists reconstructed the distribution of both dark and ordinary matter across vast cosmic distances with remarkable precision.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. UPI Set to Launch in Japan, Expanding India’s Digital Payments Reach: India’s Unified Payments Interface is poised to make its debut in Japan, marking a significant step in the global expansion of the country’s flagship digital payments platform. The move reflects growing international interest in India’s real-time payment infrastructure and its rising role in shaping cross-border digital finance. The rollout will be carried out on a trial basis in fiscal 2026 through a partnership between Japan’s NTT Data and the National Payments Corporation of India. In the initial phase, UPI acceptance in Japan will be limited to Indian tourists, enabling them to make payments using familiar UPI apps while travelling abroad. Transactions will be debited directly from users’ Indian bank accounts, eliminating the need for cards or separate digital wallets.

 

2. India–EU Trade Deal to Cut Car Import Tariffs Sharply: India is set to significantly open its automobile market under a proposed free trade agreement with the European Union, marking a major shift in its long-protected trade policy. As part of the deal, India will reduce import duties on select European passenger cars from as high as 110 per cent to 40 per cent, signalling a breakthrough in the long-stalled India–EU free trade negotiations. Under the agreement, India will immediately lower import duties to 40 per cent on a limited number of EU-built passenger vehicles priced above €15,000. Over time, these tariffs are expected to be reduced further, potentially reaching as low as 10 per cent. The concession is among the most substantial India has offered in the auto sector and is expected to reshape competition in the world’s third-largest car market. Lower duties will directly benefit major European manufacturers such as Volkswagen, Mercedes-Benz and BMW, allowing them to price premium models more competitively in India. While several European brands already assemble vehicles locally, high import tariffs have constrained the launch of fully built and niche models. The reduced duties will enable automakers to test demand before committing additional investments in local manufacturing.

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. Silambam Exponent K. Pajanivel Receives Padma Shri Honour: Traditional martial arts practitioner K. Pajanivel of Puducherry has been conferred with the Padma Shri, recognising his lifelong contribution to the preservation and global promotion of Silambam, one of Tamil Nadu’s oldest martial art traditions. The honour places national focus on indigenous knowledge systems sustained through individual dedication and community-based teaching. Born on 30 January 1973 at Pooranankuppam in Puducherry, K. Pajanivel began training in Silambam under the guidance of Master Rajaram. What started as disciplined apprenticeship gradually evolved into a lifelong mission. Over the decades, he immersed himself in mastering techniques, understanding the philosophy of the art, and transmitting its values through rigorous practice and instruction. As a master exponent and teacher, Pajanivel has trained numerous students, many of them free of cost, ensuring that Silambam continues to pass to younger generations. His work has focused not only on physical training but also on preserving the cultural identity embedded in the martial art. Through workshops, demonstrations, and competitions, he has represented Silambam across India and at international platforms, helping it gain wider recognition.

 

2. Madhya Pradesh’s Quiet Contributors Shine With Padma Honours 2026 : The Padma Awards 2026 have brought national recognition to four individuals from Madhya Pradesh whose work has largely unfolded away from public glare. Their journeys span literature, social service, archaeology, and indigenous martial arts, reflecting a form of nation-building rooted in perseverance rather than prominence. Out of 131 Padma Awards announced this year, four Padma Shri honours were conferred on achievers from Madhya Pradesh. Each awardee represents a different facet of India’s cultural and social fabric. The honours reaffirm the intent of the Padma Awards to acknowledge sustained contributions at the grassroots, beyond metropolitan centres and media attention.