Daily Current Affairs: 25 January 2026

Graca Machel received 2025 Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development.

Key Updates:

• The Indira Gandhi Memorial Trust announced the award chaired by former National Security Advisor Shivshankar Menon.
• The prize comprises Rs one crore, a trophy and a citation.
• Machel was Mozambique’s first Minister of Education and Culture after independence in 1975.
• Her 1996 UN report The Impact of Armed Conflict on Children reshaped UN operations in war zones.
• She founded the Graca Machel Trust in 2010 and the Zizile Institute for Child Development.
• She is a founding member of The Elders and helped establish Girls Not Brides.

Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan released book 'Chalice of Ambrosia: Ram Janmabhoomi – Challenge and Response' authored by Shri Surendra Kumar Pachauri.

Key Updates:

• Vice President of India Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan released the book at the Vice President’s Enclave.
• The book is authored by former Secretary to the Government of India Shri Surendra Kumar Pachauri.
• The Supreme Court verdict of 2019 on Ram Janmabhoomi was described as a historic turning point by the Vice President.
• The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust mobilised over ₹3,000 crore through a crowd-funded campaign.
• The Dhwaja-rohan ceremony of 25 November 2025 was recalled as a deeply emotional national moment.

Ilyas Pasha Passes Away: Former India Defender and East Bengal Legend

Key Updates:

• Former Indian international footballer and East Bengal defender Ilyas Pasha passed away after a prolonged illness as announced by the All India Football Federation (AIFF).
• He made his senior international debut in 1987 and represented India in two editions of the Nehru Cup (1987 and 1991), the 1991 South Asian Federation (SAF) Games, and the 1992 Asian Cup qualifiers.
• At the domestic level, he won two Santosh Trophy titles with Bengal in 1993 and 1995.
• During his nine-year tenure with East Bengal, he won 28 trophies, including five Calcutta Football League titles, five IFA Shields, and four Durand Cup trophies.
• He captained East Bengal to a historic domestic treble in 1990, winning the Durand Cup, IFA Shield, and Rovers Cup.
• Under his captaincy, East Bengal secured its first international title at the Wai Wai Cup in 1993 and registered a 6-2 victory over Iraq’s Al Zawraa SC in the 1993-94 Asian Cup Winners’ Cup.
• He was conferred with a Lifetime Achievement Award by East Bengal in 2012.

Suryoday Small Finance Bank (SSFB) partners with HyperVerge to deploy AI-driven Video KYC system.

Key Updates:

• Suryoday Small Finance Bank (SSFB) has partnered with technology firm HyperVerge to implement an AI-driven Video KYC system for digital onboarding.
• The Video KYC system enables verification agents to complete nearly twice the number of approved calls per day compared with earlier processes.
• The system has been integrated into the bank’s existing digital channels and is being used across products that require identity verification.
• Baskar Babu, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of SSFB, stated that the partnership supports the bank’s effort to make banking simpler and more accessible.
• Vishal Singh, Chief Information Officer and Head of Digital Banking at SSFB, said the solution improves conversions without compromising customer experience.
• HyperVerge Chief Executive Officer Kedar Kulkarni said the Video KYC platform supports higher conversions, compliance, and scalable operations for regulated financial institutions.

Reserve Bank of India (RBI) grants Razorpay Payment Aggregator–Physical licence

[Reserve Bank of India (RBI)]

Key Updates:

• Razorpay POS received the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Payment Aggregator–Physical (PA-P) licence to process in-store transactions.
• Razorpay now holds RBI licences PA-O, PA-P and PA-CB, the last obtained in December 2025.
• The PA-P licence allows Razorpay to aggregate offline payments for large retail chains and SMEs.

Receivables Exchange of India Ltd (RXIL) declares maiden interim dividend of 21.6%

[Receivables Exchange of India Ltd (RXIL)]

Key Updates:

• Receivables Exchange of India Ltd (RXIL), promoted by SIDBI and National Stock Exchange of India (NSE) along with State Bank of India (SBI), ICICI Bank and Yes Bank, declared and paid an interim dividend of 21.6% on Rs 10 face-value shares.
• RXIL is the first Trade Receivables Discounting System (TReDS) platform in India to return capital to stakeholders.
• RXIL turned profitable in 2023, wiped off accumulated losses in FY24 and reported net profit of about Rs 52 crore in FY25.
• RXIL expects net profit of Rs 72 crore in FY26.
• RXIL’s throughput scaled from ₹223 crore in FY18 to ₹80,457 crore in FY25.
• RXIL facilitates monthly receivables financing transaction volumes of around ₹12,000 crore.
• Since 2016, RXIL has enabled financing of over ₹2.6 lakh crore across more than one crore invoices, supporting over 57,000 MSMEs.

Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana offers up to Rs 72 lakh on maturity for girl child

Key Updates:

• Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana (SSY) was introduced on 22 January 2015 under the Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao campaign.
• SSY is a government-backed small savings scheme aimed at securing the financial future of the girl child.
• The current interest rate under SSY is 8.2% compounded annually.
• Interest is calculated every month and added to the principal at the end of each financial year.
• Deposits qualify for deduction under Section 80C of the Income Tax Act, 1961, and interest earned is tax-free.
• Minimum annual deposit is Rs 250 and maximum is Rs 1.50 lakh, either lump sum or in multiple instalments.
• Deposits can be made till completion of 15 years from account opening, and the account matures after 21 years.
• Investing Rs 1.50 lakh annually for 15 years yields a maturity value of approximately Rs 71.83 lakh at 8.2% interest.
• Early closure is allowed only under specific conditions such as marriage after age 18 or death of the account holder.
• Up to 50% of the balance can be withdrawn for the girl’s higher education once she turns 18 or passes class 10.

Military Quantum Mission Policy Framework released to integrate quantum technologies into tri-services

Key Updates:

• Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan released the 'Military Quantum Mission Policy Framework' to integrate quantum technologies into the tri-services.
• The framework covers four pillars: quantum communication, quantum computing, quantum sensing and metrology, and quantum materials and devices.
• It aims to prepare the armed forces for future battlefields and achieve technological dominance.
• The document aligns with the National Quantum Mission, of which the defence forces are an integral part.
• The Ministry of Defence stated the framework will guide the incorporation of quantum technology through joint efforts of all three services.
• The release event was attended by Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, Chief of the Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi, Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal A P Singh, and Chief of the Integrated Defence Staff Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit.

NeSDA Way Forward December 2025 Report: 24,090 e-services across States/UTs

Key Updates:

• Department of Administrative Reforms & Public Grievances (DARPG) released the 32nd NeSDA Way Forward monthly report for December 2025.
• 24,090 e-services are provided across States/UTs.
• 8,656 e-services relate to Local Governance & Utility Services.
• 156 new e-services were added by States/UTs in November 2025.
• 21 States/UTs achieved over 90% saturation of 59 mandatory e-services: Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Andhra Pradesh, Chandigarh, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Jammu & Kashmir, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Meghalaya, Punjab, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and West Bengal.
• Portals providing 100% services are Assam (Sewa Setu), Jammu & Kashmir (e-UNNAT), Karnataka (Seva Sindhu), Odisha (Odisha One), Madhya Pradesh (MP e-Service), Uttarakhand (Apuni Sarkar) and Kerala (e-Sevanam).
• Over 90% of services are provided by 4 States/UTs through their Unified Service Delivery Portals: e-District Chandigarh, e-District Delhi, Saral Haryana and e-Mitra (Rajasthan).
• National Digital Library of India (NDLI) and Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) are highlighted as best-practice portals of Central Government Ministries/Departments.
• City-level digital platforms of Puducherry and Guwahati Municipalities are showcased as best practices.

Carbon Credit Trading Scheme (CCTS) Expanded to Include 208 Additional Industrial Units

[Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC)]

Key Updates:

• The Government of India notified Greenhouse Gas Emission Intensity (GEI) targets for 208 additional carbon-intensive industrial units on 13 January.
• The notification brings petroleum refineries, petrochemicals, textiles, and secondary aluminium under the compliance mechanism of the Carbon Credit Trading Scheme (CCTS).
• The expansion increases the total number of obligated entities covered under the Indian carbon market framework to 490.
• Previously, in October 2025, the government notified GEI targets for 282 entities in the aluminium, cement, chlor-alkali, and pulp & paper sectors.
• The CCTS operates through two routes: a compliance mechanism for designated industries and an offset mechanism for voluntary projects by non-obligated entities.
• Under the compliance mechanism, entities that exceed their prescribed GEI reduction targets are awarded Carbon Credit Certificates, which can be sold to entities that fall short of their goals.
• The offset mechanism allows non-obligated entities to earn certificates through projects in renewables, energy efficiency, and afforestation.
• The initiative is designed to support India’s national commitment to achieve net-zero emissions by 2070.

Swasth Seema Abhiyan: Uttarakhand govt & ITBP sign MoU to strengthen health services in 108 border villages

[Uttarakhand, Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP)]

Key Updates:

• Uttarakhand government and Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) signed an MoU under the first phase of Swasth Seema Abhiyan to provide integrated primary health services in 108 border villages of Pithoragarh, Chamoli and Uttarkashi districts.
• ITBP will provide qualified doctors, paramedical staff, medical examination rooms, telemedicine facilities and conduct regular visits to border villages as per a fixed schedule.
• ITBP will maintain beneficiaries' Medical Health Cards and manage equipment, medicines and consumables.
• State government will provide demographic data of villages, initial medical equipment and ensure continuous supply of medicines every six months based on consumption.
• State government will handle emergency evacuation, telecommunication support, equipment ownership and necessary replacements.

Mukhya Mantri Sehat Yojna launched with ₹10 lakh annual health cover

Key Updates:

• Punjab government launched Mukhya Mantri Sehat Yojna on 24 January 2026 in Mohali.
• The scheme provides health insurance cover up to ₹10 lakh per year to three crore residents from 65 lakh families.
• Over 900 government and private hospitals in Punjab and Chandigarh are empanelled under the scheme.
• Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema stated Punjab is the first state to offer ₹10 lakh health insurance coverage.
• Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convener Arvind Kejriwal and Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann inaugurated the scheme.

Goa Government signs MoU with Starlink to boost digital connectivity and disaster resilience

[Goa]

Key Updates:

• Department of Information Technology, Electronics & Communications (DITE&C), Government of Goa, signed an MoU with Starlink Satellite Communications Private Limited on 21 January 2026 in Panaji.
• The MoU was signed in the presence of Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant and Minister for Information Technology, Electronics & Communications Rohan Khaunte.
• Starlink India was represented by Prabhakar Jayakumar, Head of Starlink India.
• The collaboration will explore digital connectivity, disaster resilience and smart governance solutions across Goa.
• Starlink will pilot satellite broadband in areas with limited terrestrial networks, including select government schools, healthcare facilities and disaster management centres.
• The partnership aims to enhance emergency preparedness, build capacity through training and explore affordable tariff structures for socially beneficial use cases.

World Economic Forum (WEF) 2026 annual meeting concludes in Davos

[World Economic Forum (WEF)]

Key Updates:

• The 56th annual World Economic Forum (WEF) meeting concluded in Davos on 23 January 2026.
• U.S. President Donald Trump dominated the agenda with his claim to Greenland, prompting strong European resistance.
• Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy flew in for talks as a U.S.–Russia discussion on Ukraine continued; Russian Presidential envoy Kirill Dmitriev held talks at the USA House, the first Russian official to visit Davos since 2022.
• U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright told a panel that global oil production needs to more than double to meet rising energy demand and criticised Europe and California for overspending on green energy.
• Elon Musk stated the U.S. could meet all electricity needs via solar from a small area of Utah, Nevada or New Mexico but noted high tariff barriers hamper deployment.
• Trump discussed a secret sonic weapon allegedly used in the capture of Venezuela’s Nicolas Maduro and predicted increased U.S. and European defence spending.

India and Spain unveil Dual Year logo and Spain joins Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI)

[Spain]

Key Updates:

• External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares jointly unveiled the logo for the India-Spain Dual Year of Culture, Tourism and Artificial Intelligence on 21 January 2026 in New Delhi.
• The unveiling marked 70 years of diplomatic relations between India and Spain.
• Spain formally acceded to the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI) by handing over the signed Declaration of Accession to Jaishankar during the visit.
• India launched the IPOI in November 2019 at the East Asia Summit in Bangkok, Thailand.
• Discussions between the ministers covered trade, investment, defence, technology, education and people-to-people ties.
• Jaishankar thanked Spain for supporting deeper India-European Union cooperation across multiple domains.

Science and Technology Minister Arjunbhai Modhwadia Lays Foundation Stone for Azista Space Electro-Optical Payload Factory in Sanand

Key Updates:

• Science and Technology Minister Arjunbhai Modhwadia laid the foundation stone for the Electro-Optical Payload Factory of Azista Space Limited in Sanand, Gujarat.
• The facility is being constructed at Plot Nos. K-19 to K-24/1 in the Khoraaj Industrial Estate, Sanand.
• Azista Space Limited has signed Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) worth over ₹500 crore with the Gujarat government for this project.
• The plant is designed to be India’s first integrated private-sector satellite manufacturing facility, covering design, development, and testing under one roof.
• The company has received technical guidance from the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the Space Applications Centre (SAC).
• The facility has already developed complex systems such as silicon carbide mirrors domestically using indigenous technology.
• The project aligns with the Gujarat Space Technology Policy and the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative to strengthen national security and strategic preparedness.

Centre delicensed 5925-6425 MHz of 6 GHz band for indoor Wi-Fi

Key Updates:

• The Centre delicensed the lower portion (5925-6425 MHz) of 6 GHz spectrum band for enabling indoor Wi-Fi use.
• The government notified the “Low Power and Very Low Power Wireless Access Rules, 2026.”
• The framework exempts license if users follow the mandatory technical rules and mandates users to share the frequency.
• The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) had proposed delicensing 500 MHz in the 6 GHz band (5925-6425 MHz) for unlicensed indoor Wi-Fi usage in May 2025.
• The development will enable original equipment makers (OEMs) to unveil a new range of Wi-Fi 6E and Wi-Fi 7 compatible routers and devices.

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) to set up MRO hub at Missamari in Assam

[Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), Assam]

Key Updates:

• Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) will establish a Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) hub at Missamari in Assam.
• The foundation stone was unveiled by the GOC, Blazing Sword Division, and P.B. Rangarao, Chief Executive Officer of Helicopter Complex, HAL.
• The MRO hub aims to reduce repair turnaround time and provide sustained support to Army Aviation and the Indian Air Force.
• The initiative aligns with the Government of India's vision of #AtmanirbharBharat.

Pixxel-led consortium signs MoU with IN-SPACe for India's first commercial earth observation satellite constellation

[Pixxel, IN-SPACe]

Key Updates:

• Pixxel-led consortium signed MoU with Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) in Bengaluru to build India's first indigenous commercial earth observation satellite constellation.
• Consortium includes PierSight, SatSure Analytics India and Dhruva Space to build and deploy 12-satellite constellation.
• First four satellites planned for orbit by first quarter of 2027, with remaining constellation rolling out in phases over following years.
• 12 satellites will deliver very high-resolution optical, multispectral, SAR and hyperspectral imaging for Indian government users coordinated through IN-SPACe.
• Consortium won government contract in August last year with zero bid, forgoing Rs 350 crore government support for design, build and operate constellation.
• Project valued at over Rs 1,200 crore validates India's private space ecosystem ability to deliver infrastructure at global scale.

Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) Discovers New Caecilian Species Gegeneophis valmiki in Maharashtra

[Zoological Survey of India (ZSI), Maharashtra]

Key Updates:

• A multi-institutional research team led by the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) has discovered a rare subterranean amphibian species named Gegeneophis valmiki.
• The discovery was made in the northern Western Ghats on the Valmiki Plateau in the Satara district of Maharashtra.
• The species belongs to the genus Gegeneophis, commonly known as blind caecilians, which live underground and have eyes hidden beneath bone.
• The findings were published in the international journal Phyllomedusa based on specimens first collected in 2017 by K P Dinesh, a senior scientist at the ZSI.
• The species is named after the Maharshi Valmiki Mandir located near the discovery site.
• ZSI Director Dhriti Banerjee stated that 41 per cent of amphibians globally are currently threatened with extinction.

National Tourism Day 2026 observed on January 25

Key Updates:

• National Tourism Day 2026 is observed on January 25.
• The day was established on January 25, 1982, by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India.
• National Tourism Day recognises tourism as a driver of economic development, employment generation, cultural preservation, and people-to-people connection.

National Voters’ Day observed on January 25

Key Updates:

• National Voters’ Day is celebrated every year on January 25 to mark the establishment of the Election Commission of India (ECI) on January 25, 1950.
• The day was first observed in 2011 and 2025 marks the 14th National Voters’ Day.
• The minimum voting age in India was lowered from 21 to 18 years by the 61st Constitutional Amendment that came into effect in 1988.
• Key objectives of the day are to encourage voter registration, promote ethical and informed voting, highlight the importance of free and fair elections, and strengthen democracy through public participation.

International Day of Education observed on January 24 with theme The power of youth in co-creating education

Key Updates:

• The United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) will celebrate the International Day of Education 2026 on Saturday, January 24, 2026.
• The theme for the International Day of Education 2026 is The power of youth in co-creating education.
• UNESCO will host key activities and hybrid events for the observance at its headquarters in Paris, France.
• The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) adopted Resolution 73/25 on December 3, 2018, proclaiming January 24 as the International Day of Education.
• The first observance of the International Day of Education took place on January 24, 2019.
• The day aims to promote Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG4), which seeks to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and lifelong learning for all.
• Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bangalore is the only Indian institute to feature in the global top 100 of the Times Higher Education (THE) Subject Rankings 2026.
• The Election Commission of India (ECI) is conducting a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in 12 states and Union Territories (UTs) as part of its 2025 achievements.

National Girl Child Day observed on January 24

Key Updates:

• National Girl Child Day is observed across India on January 24 to promote awareness about the rights, education, health, safety, and overall welfare of girls.
• The day was first observed in 2008 after being initiated by the Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD), Government of India.
• The primary objective of the observance is to address social challenges such as gender bias, child marriage, and unequal access to opportunities.
• Government programmes such as Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao (BBBP) are highlighted for their role in increasing awareness about the importance of educating and empowering girls.
• The initiative focuses on promoting gender equality and social inclusion while highlighting government welfare schemes for the girl child.
• The observance serves to encourage families and communities to support the aspirations of girls and challenge discriminatory practices.