📰 Daily Briefing Monday, Jan 26

Daily Current Affairs: 26 January 2026

Analysis for 26 January 2026

Late T T Jagannathan awarded Padma Shri posthumously in trade and industry category.

Key Updates:

  • Late T T Jagannathan, chairman emeritus of TTK Prestige Group, received the Padma Shri posthumously for his contributions to trade and industry.
  • He invented the GRS safety mechanism for pressure cookers and transformed TTK Prestige into a globally exported cookware brand.
  • Jagannathan served on the TTK Prestige board for 50 years and led the group to become debt-free.
  • He was a gold medallist from IIT Madras and held a PhD in operations from Cornell University, USA.
  • He authored the book 'Disrupt And Conquer - How TTK Prestige Became A Billion Dollar Company'.
  • Jagannathan passed away in October 2025 at the age of 77.

Similar Coverage

Noted computer science education pioneer Prof Vaidyeswaran Rajaraman passes away (Mid of November) ▼
  • Prof Vaidyeswaran Rajaraman, an engineer and academic, passed away.
  • He was one of the pioneers of computer science education in India.
  • He was credited with establishing the first professional course in computer science in India at IIT Kanpur in 1965.
  • He was a Bhatnagar Prize winner and was honoured with a Padma Bhushan in 1998.
  • He wrote more than 20 textbooks on computer science which are still being taught in colleges and universities across the country.
  • He later shifted to the Indian Institute of Science where he oversaw the development of low-cost parallel computers and a supercomputing facility.
National Awards Policy: Prohibition of 'Padma Shri' and 'Bharat Ratna' as Titles (End of December) ▼
  • The Bombay High Court ruled that civilian awards such as 'Padma Shri' and 'Bharat Ratna' are not titles and cannot be used as a prefix or suffix to the names of awardees.
  • The ruling follows a Supreme Court (SC) decision in Balaji Raghavan/SP Anand v. Union of India, which clarified that these awards do not fall under 'titles' as per Article 18(1) of the Constitution of India.
  • If an awardee uses these honors as a prefix or suffix, the defaulter should forfeit the National Award following the procedure laid down in Regulation 10 of the award notifications.
  • The court directed that all judicial proceedings must ensure compliance with this law as mandated by Article 141 of the Constitution of India.
Art director Thota Tharani conferred France’s Chevalier Award (Mid of November) ▼
  • Thota Tharani has been conferred the French government’s prestigious Chevalier Award
  • He is a Padma Shri awardee and has won two National Film Awards, two Tamil Nadu State Film Awards, three Nandi Awards and a Kerala State Film Award
  • The award will be conferred by the French Ambassador at Alliance Française of Madras, Chennai
Prof. Jayant Vishnu Narlikar (Posthumously) awarded Vigyan Ratna 2025 for lifetime contributions in Physics (End of October) ▼
  • Prof. Jayant Vishnu Narlikar received the Vigyan Ratna 2025 in Physics.
  • The award was conferred posthumously.
  • Vigyan Ratna honours lifetime contributions to science and technology.

Inderjit Singh Bindra, former BCCI president, passed away.

[BCCI]

Key Updates:

  • Inderjit Singh Bindra died at the age of 84.
  • He served as president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) from 1993 to 1996.
  • Bindra was president of the Punjab Cricket Association from 1978 to 2014.
  • The PCA stadium was renamed IS Bindra Stadium in 2015 to honour his administrative work.
  • He played a key role in organising the 1987 Reliance Cup, the first World Cup held outside England.
  • In 1994 he approached the Supreme Court of India to break Doordarshan’s monopoly on cricket broadcasting.

Similar Coverage

Biswabandhu Sen passed away as Speaker of the Tripura Legislative Assembly (TLA) (End of December) ▼
  • Biswabandhu Sen, the Speaker of the Tripura Legislative Assembly (TLA), passed away at a private hospital in Bengaluru on December 26, 2025.
  • He had been undergoing medical treatment after suffering a massive cerebral stroke on August 8.
  • The Tripura government declared a three-day state mourning following the demise of the veteran leader.
  • All government offices, institutions, schools, and colleges in Tripura were ordered to remain closed on December 26, 2025.
  • He is survived by his wife, one son, and one daughter.
Kabindra Purkayastha passes away at 95; former Union Minister and BJP stalwart. (Start of January) ▼
  • Kabindra Purkayastha, former Union Minister and veteran Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader, died at Silchar Medical College and Hospital after prolonged illness.
  • He joined BJP in 1980 and led the party to its first-ever Lok Sabha seats from Assam in 1991.
  • Born in Kamarkhal village, now in Bangladesh’s Sunamganj district, he migrated to Silchar post-Partition.
  • He is survived by son Kanad Purkayastha, Rajya Sabha MP, a daughter, and grandchildren.
Hugh Morris, former England and Glamorgan batter and England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) chief executive, passes away at 62 (End of December) ▼
  • Hugh Morris captained England A as well as leading Glamorgan over two spells.
  • He was diagnosed with bowel cancer in January 2022 and left his role as Glamorgan chief executive in September 2023.
  • Morris led Glamorgan to the Sunday League title in 1993 and won three full England caps.
  • He spent 16 years in various senior roles at the ECB and oversaw three consecutive Ashes series wins for the England men's Test team.
  • He was appointed MBE in 2022 for services to cricket and charity and was inducted into the Welsh Sports Hall of Fame in September 2024.
Khaleda Zia passed away at age 80 (End of December) ▼
  • Khaleda Zia served three terms as Prime Minister of Bangladesh.
  • She was the first woman to lead the Bangladesh government.
  • Her funeral is scheduled at 2 pm at the South Plaza of the Parliament complex on Manik Mia Avenue.
  • India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will attend the funeral in Dhaka.
  • The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) announced her death.
  • In January 2025, the Supreme Court acquitted her in the last corruption case, allowing her to contest the February election.
  • Her son Tarique Rahman, acting chairman of the BNP, returned to Bangladesh after 17 years abroad.

Sudhir Kumar and 11 Jharkhand Police Personnel Awarded President's Medals

[Jharkhand]

Key Updates:

  • The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) announced the President’s Medal for Distinguished Service (PSM) and the Medal for Meritorious Service (MSM) on the eve of Republic Day 2026.
  • Sudhir Kumar, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) from Jharkhand Jaguar (JJ), was awarded the PSM in recognition of his outstanding 25-year career in police service.
  • Eleven personnel from Jharkhand were honoured with the MSM, an award designated for completing 18 years of outstanding service.
  • The MSM recipients include Inspector General (IG) Anup Birtharay (JJ), IG Patel Mayur Kanhaiyyalal (Provisions), and DSP Sanjay Kumar of Jharkhand Armed Police (JAP)-1.
  • Havildars Krishna Kumar Khetri (JAP-I), Marcus Sunwar (JAP-I), and Arun Kumar Ojha (JJ) were also named as recipients of the MSM.
  • The list of MSM awardees includes Constable Jaidev Pradhan (JAP-I), Women Constables Janet Margret Lakra and Kumudini Kujur (JAP-10), and Constables Sufal Odeya and G Wasim Akhtar (JJ).

Similar Coverage

Ravi Shankar Chhabi Appointed Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) (End of January) ▼
  • Ravi Shankar Chhabi was appointed as the DIG in the CRPF following an order issued on January 19, 2026.
  • He is a 2007-batch Regular Recruit (RR) officer of the Indian Police Service (IPS) belonging to the Uttar Pradesh cadre.
  • Prior to this appointment, he served as the DIG of Public Grievances at the Director General of Police (DGP) Headquarters in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh.
  • He performed duties as a Police Observer for the 1-Baramulla Parliamentary Constituency during the 2024 General Elections.
  • His previous assignments include serving as the DIG of Prison Administration and Reforms and as the Superintendent of Police (SP) for the Women Power Line 1090.
Asim Munir Conferred With Saudi Arabia's King Abdulaziz Medal of Excellence (End of December) ▼
  • Pakistan's Chief of Defence Forces, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, was awarded the King Abdulaziz Medal of Excellence, the highest national honour of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA).
  • The award was conferred under a Royal Decree issued by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.
  • The Saudi leadership recognized Field Marshal Munir for his professionalism, strategic outlook, and commitment to strengthening ties between Pakistan and the KSA.
  • During his official visit, Field Marshal Munir also met with Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the Minister of Defence of the KSA, to discuss regional security and military cooperation.
Ashwini Vaishnaw conferred 70th Ati Vishisht Rail Seva Puraskar on 100 rail officials (Start of January) ▼
  • Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw conferred the 70th Ati Vishisht Rail Seva Puraskar on 100 employees and officers for their exemplary service.
  • The awardees include personnel who played a critical role in ensuring safe and seamless Railway operations during large-scale events such as the Mahakumbh.
  • 26 Shields were awarded to the best-performing Railway Zones across various categories, acknowledging their outstanding achievements and overall excellence.
  • Officers were also recognised for contributions during Operation Sindoor and for introducing advanced Ballast Cleaning Machines in difficult sections.
Lt KM Sudha won gold medal at National Cadet Corps (NCC) event (Mid of January) ▼
  • Lt KM Sudha, an assistant professor in the history department and an associate NCC officer at Royal Global University under the 30 Assam Battalion NCC, became the first person from the northeast to win a gold medal at the NCC event.
  • The event was held at the Officer Training Academy (OTA) in Gwalior.
  • She was adjudged the best firer of the OTA after competing among 127 associate NCC officers from across the country.
  • She was formally commissioned with the rank of lieutenant and secured an ‘A’ grade in the final merit list.

K Vijay Kumar Conferred Padma Shri Award

Key Updates:

  • Former Indian Police Service (IPS) officer K Vijay Kumar was conferred with the Padma Shri award in January 2026.
  • K Vijay Kumar is best known for leading Operation Cocoon in 2004, which resulted in the death of forest brigand Veerappan in Papparapatti, Dharmapuri district.
  • He served as the Director-General (DG) of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) for two years starting from 2010.
  • The Tamil Nadu-cadre officer has served as an advisor to the Union Home Ministry on countering Left-wing extremism and as an advisor to the Jammu and Kashmir Governor.
  • Violinist N Rajam was among the five individuals conferred with the Padma Vibhushan award in 2026.
  • Other Padma Shri recipients from Tamil Nadu include Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT-Madras) Director V Kamakoti, tennis player Vijay Amritraj, writer Sivasankari, and singers Gayatri and Ranjani Balasubramanian.
  • Padma Shri awardees from Karnataka include Anke Gowda, S G Susheelamma, and Dr Suresh Hanagavadi.

Similar Coverage

Ravi Shankar Chhabi Appointed Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) (End of January) ▼
  • Ravi Shankar Chhabi was appointed as the DIG in the CRPF following an order issued on January 19, 2026.
  • He is a 2007-batch Regular Recruit (RR) officer of the Indian Police Service (IPS) belonging to the Uttar Pradesh cadre.
  • Prior to this appointment, he served as the DIG of Public Grievances at the Director General of Police (DGP) Headquarters in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh.
  • He performed duties as a Police Observer for the 1-Baramulla Parliamentary Constituency during the 2024 General Elections.
  • His previous assignments include serving as the DIG of Prison Administration and Reforms and as the Superintendent of Police (SP) for the Women Power Line 1090.
National Awards Policy: Prohibition of 'Padma Shri' and 'Bharat Ratna' as Titles (End of December) ▼
  • The Bombay High Court ruled that civilian awards such as 'Padma Shri' and 'Bharat Ratna' are not titles and cannot be used as a prefix or suffix to the names of awardees.
  • The ruling follows a Supreme Court (SC) decision in Balaji Raghavan/SP Anand v. Union of India, which clarified that these awards do not fall under 'titles' as per Article 18(1) of the Constitution of India.
  • If an awardee uses these honors as a prefix or suffix, the defaulter should forfeit the National Award following the procedure laid down in Regulation 10 of the award notifications.
  • The court directed that all judicial proceedings must ensure compliance with this law as mandated by Article 141 of the Constitution of India.
Chef Vijay Kumar wins Global Indian of the Year Award (End of November) ▼
  • Chef Vijay Kumar was named the Global Indian of the Year at CNN-News18’s Indian of the Year Awards 2025.
  • He won the James Beard Foundation title of Best Chef: New York State weeks before this honour.
  • Kumar hails from the farming village of Natham in Tamil Nadu and now leads a cultural shift in Manhattan’s West Village with his Tamil and South Indian cuisine.
Dinesh Khatak Awarded Union Home Minister’s Efficiency Medal (Mid of December) ▼
  • Dinesh Khatak, second-in-command (2-IC) of the 196 Battalion, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), was honoured with the “Kendriya Grah Mantri Dakshata Padak” (Union Home Minister’s Efficiency Medal).
  • The award was given by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).
  • He is a native of Intel Kalan village in Jind district.
  • Dinesh Khatak joined the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) as a Gazetted Officer in 2005.
  • He played key roles in managing the Amarnath Yatra and maintaining law and order during his deployments in Jammu and Kashmir.
  • He served during crucial phases such as the abrogation of Article 370 and the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • Dinesh Khatak contributed to advancing commando training at CIAT Shivpuri.
  • He is currently posted in the Naxal-affected Bijapur district.
  • He has led major security and relief initiatives, including establishing new forward camps and participating in KGH Special Operations.

President Droupadi Murmu announced gallantry medals for 70 Armed Forces and security personnel.

Key Updates:

  • President Droupadi Murmu announced 70 gallantry medals on the eve of the 77th Republic Day 2026.
  • The awards include one Ashok Chakra, three Kirti Chakras, 13 Shaurya Chakras, one Bar to Sena Medal (Gallantry), 44 Sena Medals (Gallantry), six Nao Sena Medals (Gallantry) and two Vayu Sena Medals (Gallantry).
  • Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla (Air Force) received the Ashok Chakra.
  • Major Arshdeep Singh (Army), Naib Subedar Doleshwar Subba (Army) and Group Captain Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair (Air Force) were awarded the Kirti Chakra.
  • Six of the 70 gallantry awards were given posthumously.

Similar Coverage

India to showcase military might in phased battle array format during 77th Republic Day parade (End of January) ▼
  • India will showcase its military might in a phased battle array format during the 77th Republic Day parade, the first such event after Operation Sindoor.
  • The newly-raised Bhairav light commando battalion will make its debut in the parade, marching in ‘Uncha Kadam taal’.
  • Military assets will be displayed in the specific sequence they would appear during actual combat, starting with reconnaissance followed by logistics and armored units.
  • The Indian Army will be represented by a mounted column of 61 Cavalry and seven marching contingents.
  • The display will feature indigenous platforms including the Main Battle Tank (MBT) Arjun, NAMIS-II Nag Missile System, ATAGS, and Dhanush artillery.
  • Advanced technology on display includes the Integrated Operational Centre (IOC), Unmanned Ground Vehicles (UGVs), robotic mules, and robotic dogs.
  • The animal contingent will include Zanskar ponies, double-humped Bactrian camels, and a dog squad with handlers.
  • The aerial flypast will showcase aircraft such as the Rafale, Su-30, P8I, C-295, Apache, and the Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) Prachand.
Armed Forces Veterans' Day observed on January 14 (Mid of January) ▼
  • Armed Forces Veterans' Day is celebrated on January 14 every year.
  • The day marks the birth anniversary of the Late Field Marshal KM Cariappa, who retired on this day in 1953.
  • Field Marshal Cariappa was the First Commander-in-Chief (C-in-C) of the Indian Army.
Ashwini Vaishnaw conferred 70th Ati Vishisht Rail Seva Puraskar on 100 rail officials (Start of January) ▼
  • Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw conferred the 70th Ati Vishisht Rail Seva Puraskar on 100 employees and officers for their exemplary service.
  • The awardees include personnel who played a critical role in ensuring safe and seamless Railway operations during large-scale events such as the Mahakumbh.
  • 26 Shields were awarded to the best-performing Railway Zones across various categories, acknowledging their outstanding achievements and overall excellence.
  • Officers were also recognised for contributions during Operation Sindoor and for introducing advanced Ballast Cleaning Machines in difficult sections.
Indian Army honours Operation Pawan heroes on November 25, 2025 (End of November) ▼
  • Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi led the first-ever official commemoration of Operation Pawan on November 25, 2025.
  • Hundreds of troops lost their lives, and over 1,000 were injured during Operation Pawan, which occurred between October 7, 1987 and October 27, 1987, against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in Sri Lanka.
  • Major R. Parameswaran, who received the Param Vir Chakra, was among those honoured by the Indian Army Chief on November 25, 2025.

India’s Anna Chakra selected as finalist for 2026 Franz Edelman Award.

Key Updates:

  • Anna Chakra is an operations research–based decision support system developed by the Department of Food and Public Distribution (DFPD), United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) India, and Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi to optimise foodgrain logistics under India’s Public Distribution System (PDS).
  • The initiative has delivered estimated annual savings of ₹250 crore in logistics costs and a 35% reduction in carbon emissions while benefiting over 81 crore PDS beneficiaries.
  • Anna Chakra was earlier awarded the CDSA–ORSI Excellence in Management Science and Analytics Practice Award 2026 at the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad.
  • The 2026 Franz Edelman Award winner will be announced at the INFORMS Analytics+ Conference in National Harbor, Maryland, USA, from 12–14 April 2026.

Similar Coverage

Banaras Lit Fest announces Book Awards 2026; Namita Gokhale gets Lifetime Achievement Award (End of January) ▼
  • Banaras Lit Fest announced winners of the second Banaras Lit Fest Book Awards 2026 in New Delhi.
  • Bhartendu Harishchandra Lifetime Achievement Award conferred on writer and cultural curator Namita Gokhale.
  • Announcement made at the outreach and curtain-raiser event at Hi-Tech Institute of Engineering & Technology, Delhi NCR.
  • Awards recognise excellence in fiction, poetry, non-fiction and translation across English, Hindi and Indian languages.
  • Each category award carries ₹51,000, citation and trophy; Lifetime Achievement Award carries ₹1 lakh.
  • Awards to be presented during Banaras Lit Fest from January 30 to February 1, 2026, at Hotel Taj, Banaras.
  • Gokhale honoured for contributions to writing, publishing and cultural dialogue across generations.
  • Festival President Deepak Madhok said the awards have emerged as a credible literary benchmark.
  • Founder Brijesh Singh announced the introduction of a Youth Award category.
  • Gomati Devi Eminence Awards 2026 announced for contributions to nation-building across sectors.
Major Swathi Shanthakumar wins UN Secretary-General's Award 2025 in Gender Category (Mid of January) ▼
  • Major Swathi Shanthakumar, an Indian Army officer from Bengaluru, received the UN Secretary-General's Award 2025 in the Gender Category for her project 'Equal Partners, Lasting Peace'.
  • She leads India's first all-woman military engagement team deployed with the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).
  • The award was announced by UN Secretary-General António Guterres.
Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation invites nominations for Sukhatme National Award in Statistics 2026 (Mid of January) ▼
  • The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation has invited online nominations for the Sukhatme National Award in Statistics 2026 through the National Awards Portal.
  • The award recognises Indian statisticians aged 45 years and above for lifetime contributions to official statistics.
  • Nominations must be submitted by January 31 2026 and the award will be presented on Statistics Day June 29 2026.
Ilaiyaraaja to receive Padmapani Award at Ajanta-Ellora International Film Festival (AIFF) 2026 (End of January) ▼
  • Ilaiyaraaja will be honored with the Padmapani Award at the 2026 Ajanta-Ellora International Film Festival (AIFF).
  • The award presentation will take place during the opening ceremony on January 28 in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar.
  • He will receive a Padmapani Memento, a letter of honor, and a cash prize of Rs 2 lakh.
  • The selection committee was led by film critic Latika Padgaonkar and included filmmakers Ashutosh Gowariker, Sunil Sukthankar, and Chandrakant Kulkarni.
  • Past recipients of the award include Javed Akhtar and Om Puri.

Super-100 of Veer Gatha 5.0 felicitated by Raksha Rajya Mantri and Minister of State for Education.

Key Updates:

  • Raksha Rajya Mantri Shri Sanjay Seth and Minister of State for Education and Skill Development & Entrepreneurship (I/C) Shri Jayant Chaudhary felicitated the Super-100 winners of Veer Gatha 5.0 in New Delhi on 24 January 2026.
  • Veer Gatha 5.0 recorded over 1.92 crore student participants from more than two lakh schools, including 28,005 international students from CBSE schools abroad.
  • Among the 100 national winners, 64 are girls.
  • Each Super-100 awardee received ₹10,000 cash, a medal and a certificate, and will attend the Republic Day Parade 2026 at Kartavya Path on 26 January 2026.
  • Senior attendees included Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal AP Singh, Secretary Department of School Education and Literacy (DoSEL) Shri Sanjay Kumar, Secretary (Ex-Servicemen Welfare) Ms Sukirti Lekhi, and Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) Chairman Dr Samir V Kamat.

Similar Coverage

Banaras Lit Fest announces Book Awards 2026; Namita Gokhale gets Lifetime Achievement Award (End of January) ▼
  • Banaras Lit Fest announced winners of the second Banaras Lit Fest Book Awards 2026 in New Delhi.
  • Bhartendu Harishchandra Lifetime Achievement Award conferred on writer and cultural curator Namita Gokhale.
  • Announcement made at the outreach and curtain-raiser event at Hi-Tech Institute of Engineering & Technology, Delhi NCR.
  • Awards recognise excellence in fiction, poetry, non-fiction and translation across English, Hindi and Indian languages.
  • Each category award carries ₹51,000, citation and trophy; Lifetime Achievement Award carries ₹1 lakh.
  • Awards to be presented during Banaras Lit Fest from January 30 to February 1, 2026, at Hotel Taj, Banaras.
  • Gokhale honoured for contributions to writing, publishing and cultural dialogue across generations.
  • Festival President Deepak Madhok said the awards have emerged as a credible literary benchmark.
  • Founder Brijesh Singh announced the introduction of a Youth Award category.
  • Gomati Devi Eminence Awards 2026 announced for contributions to nation-building across sectors.
Badalta Bharat Mera Anubhav Creative Challenges Announce Winners (Start of January) ▼
  • The Ministry of Information & Broadcasting (MIB) announced winners of four creative challenges under the ‘Badalta Bharat Mera Anubhav’ campaign organised with MyGov.
  • Citizens shared personal experiences and creative expressions reflecting India’s transformation over the last 11 years under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi.
  • Aligned with the vision of ‘Viksit Bharat@2047’, the campaign engaged citizens across age groups and backgrounds through Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts, Short AV, and Blog Writing contests.
Indian Army hosts Young Leaders Forum 'Veer Yuva' as pre-event to Chanakya Defence Dialogue 2025 (Start of November) ▼
  • Event Name: Young Leaders Forum (YLF) 'Veer Yuva' organised by Indian Army with CLAWS as pre-event to third edition of Chanakya Defence Dialogue (CDD) 2025
  • Venue: Manekshaw Centre, New Delhi
  • CDD 2025 Theme: 'Reform to Transform: Sashakt, Surakshit aur Viksit Bharat'
  • Key Speakers: Kiren Rijiju (Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Minority Affairs), General Upendra Dwivedi (Chief of the Army Staff), Tejasvi Surya (BJP MP)
  • Participation: Young leaders from military, academia, think tanks, entrepreneurship, research, NCC cadets, school students, industry partners, youth leaders from Armed Forces and CAPFs
  • Broadcast: Hybrid mode relayed live to Army training institutions, IITs, universities and professional nodes nationwide
Union Minister Highlights Women and Youth as Architects of Viksit Bharat (Start of November) ▼
  • The initiative/vision discussed is Viksit Bharat (Developed India).
  • Women and Youth are called the architects of Viksit Bharat.
  • The force that will drive Viksit Bharat lies in the confidence of youth, the compassion of women, and the curiosity of minds, along with youthful innovation, women’s leadership, empathy, resilience, creativity, youthful energy, and intellect.
  • The goal of Viksit Bharat is India’s emergence as a global leader in the 21st century.

Santosh Kumar Singh and Other Madhya Pradesh Police Officers Receive President’s Medal for Distinguished Service

[Madhya Pradesh]

Key Updates:

  • The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) announced gallantry and service medals for 982 personnel from police, fire, home guard, civil defence, and correctional services across India for Republic Day 2026.
  • Madhya Pradesh Police secured 21 national honours, comprising four President’s Medal for Distinguished Service (PSM) and 17 Medal for Meritorious Service (MSM).
  • The President’s Medal for Distinguished Service (PSM) was awarded to Santosh Kumar Singh (Commissioner of Police), Mithelesh Kumar Shukla (Inspector General), Awadhesh Kumar Goswami (Deputy Inspector General), and Shiv Kumar Patel (Inspector).
  • The Medal for Meritorious Service (MSM) was conferred upon Krishnaveni Desavatu (Inspector General), Manoj Kumar Rai (Superintendent of Police), Gitesh Kumar Garg (Superintendent of Police), Durgesh Kumar Rathore (Superintendent of Police), and Praveen Singh (Inspector ARMR).
  • Other MSM recipients include Rajendra Prasad Gupta (Inspector ARMR), Nidhi Shrivastava (Inspector ARMR), Sanjay Singh Thakur (Deputy Superintendent of Police), Shaffali Takalkar (Inspector ARMR), and Shriram Mishra (Head Constable).
  • The list of MSM awardees also features Shushil Kumar Choubey (Constable), Prem Kishore Vyas (Sub-Inspector), Umrao Prasad Jatav (Sub-Inspector), Mahendra Singh Negi (Assistant Sub-Inspector), Santosh Mehra (Assistant Sub-Inspector), Ravindra Mishra (Constable), and Raju Gurane (Inspector ARMR).

Similar Coverage

Vijay Diwas 2025 celebrations on December 15–16 (Mid of December) ▼
  • Vijay Diwas is observed on December 16 to commemorate India's victory in the 1971 War.
  • A 20-member Bangladesh delegation, including two serving officers of Bangladesh Army and eight Mukti Yoddhas, will attend the Vijay Diwas celebrations in Bengal.
  • The Eastern Command of the Indian Army concluded the Vijay Rally 2025 – 'Ride for Valour' motorcycle expedition before the celebrations.
  • The Bangladesh team will participate in the Military Tattoo on December 15 and the wreath-laying ceremony by Governor CV Ananda Bose at Vijay Smarak on December 16.
Lt KM Sudha won gold medal at National Cadet Corps (NCC) event (Mid of January) ▼
  • Lt KM Sudha, an assistant professor in the history department and an associate NCC officer at Royal Global University under the 30 Assam Battalion NCC, became the first person from the northeast to win a gold medal at the NCC event.
  • The event was held at the Officer Training Academy (OTA) in Gwalior.
  • She was adjudged the best firer of the OTA after competing among 127 associate NCC officers from across the country.
  • She was formally commissioned with the rank of lieutenant and secured an ‘A’ grade in the final merit list.
Ashwini Vaishnaw conferred 70th Ati Vishisht Rail Seva Puraskar on 100 rail officials (Start of January) ▼
  • Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw conferred the 70th Ati Vishisht Rail Seva Puraskar on 100 employees and officers for their exemplary service.
  • The awardees include personnel who played a critical role in ensuring safe and seamless Railway operations during large-scale events such as the Mahakumbh.
  • 26 Shields were awarded to the best-performing Railway Zones across various categories, acknowledging their outstanding achievements and overall excellence.
  • Officers were also recognised for contributions during Operation Sindoor and for introducing advanced Ballast Cleaning Machines in difficult sections.
Indian Armed Forces Flag Day observed on December 7 (Start of December) ▼
  • Indian Armed Forces Flag Day is observed annually on December 7.
  • The day was established on December 7, 1949, to pay nationwide tribute to the armed forces.
  • Citizens contribute voluntary donations to the Armed Forces Flag Day Fund (AFFDF) for war widows, disabled soldiers, and ex-servicemen.
  • Small flags in red, deep blue, and light blue signify support for the Army, Navy, and Air Force respectively.

Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla received Ashoka Chakra; Lieutenant Commander Dilna K and Lieutenant Commander Roopa A received Shaurya Chakra.

Key Updates:

  • President Droupadi Murmu approved Gallantry awards for 70 Armed Forces personnel on the eve of Republic Day 2026.
  • Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla became the first Indian to the International Space Station (ISS) as part of the Axiom-4 mission in June last year.
  • Lieutenant Commander Dilna K sailed over 25,600 nautical miles through the Indian, Pacific, Atlantic and Southern Oceans during Navika Sagar Parikrama II aboard INSV Tarini between October 2, 2024 and May 29, 2025.
  • The gallantry decorations include three Kirti Chakras, 13 Shaurya Chakras (one posthumous), one Bar to Sena Medal (Gallantry), 44 Sena Medals (Gallantry) (five posthumous), six Nao Sena Medals (Gallantry), and two Vayu Sena Medals (Gallantry).

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Lt Col Roopa A and Lt Col Dilna K won CNN-News18's Youth Icon Award (End of November) ▼
  • Lt Col Roopa A and Lt Col Dilna K received the CNN-News18 Youth Icon Award.
  • They were honored for completing a historic circumnavigation as the first Indian duo to sail around the globe in double-handed mode aboard INSV Tarini under the Navika Sagar Parikarma II mission.
  • They completed a nearly 250-day voyage aboard INSV Tarini, covering 25,400 nautical miles (50,000 km), crossing four continents, three oceans, and three Great Capes.
  • They are the first Indian duo to circumnavigate the globe in double-handed mode.
  • The 15th edition of the CNN-News18 Indian of the Year was held on Friday, November 28.
  • Lt Col Dilna K hails from Kozhikode, Kerala, and was commissioned into the Indian Navy’s Logistics branch in June 2014, having excelled in national-level rifle shooting through the National Cadet Corps (NCC).
  • Lt Col Roopa A is from Pondicherry and joined the Indian Navy in June 2017, having previously pursued aeronautical engineering at Anna University and worked at the National Aerospace Laboratories in Bengaluru.
President Droupadi Murmu presents Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar (RVP) 2025 to distinguished scientists (End of December) ▼
  • President Droupadi Murmu presented the annual ‘Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar’ (RVP) to distinguished scientists from diverse fields at a special function at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
  • Under the second edition of the Puraskar, 24 awards were presented to scientists in four categories - Vigyan Ratna, Vigyan Shri, Vigyan Yuva, and Vigyan Team.
  • The highest science award - Vigyan Ratna - was given posthumously to India’s eminent physicist, Jayant Vishnu Narlikar, for lifetime achievements and contributions made in the field of science and technology.
  • The Vigyan Team award was presented to the Team- Aroma Mission Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) in the field of Agricultural Science.
  • The awards are given to scientists across 13 domains including Physics, Chemistry, Biological Sciences, Mathematics & Computer Science, Earth Science, Medicine, Engineering Sciences, Agricultural Science, Environmental Science, Technology & Innovation, Atomic Energy, and Space Science and Technology.
  • Jayan N was conferred the Vigyan Shri award for Space Science and Technology, while Ankur Garg received the Vigyan Yuva in the same category.
  • S Venkata Mohan was recognized with the Vigyan Shri award in the field of Environmental Science.
Vinod Kumar Shukla Passed Away After Winning The 59th Jnanpith Award (End of December) ▼
  • Vinod Kumar Shukla, a renowned Hindi writer, poet, and novelist, passed away at the age of 88 in Raipur, Chhattisgarh.
  • He was the first person from Chhattisgarh to receive the Jnanpith Award, which is the highest literary honor given to writers in Indian languages.
  • He was awarded the 59th Jnanpith Award for his significant contributions to Hindi literature.
  • His major novels include Naukar Ki Kameez, Deewar Mein Ek Khidki Rahti Thi, and Khilega To Dekhenge.
  • His first booklet of poetry, titled Lagbhag Jai Hind, was published in 1971.
  • The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Raipur confirmed the cause of death as multiple organ infection and organ failure.
Droupadi Murmu inaugurated the Param Vir Dirgha (Mid of December) ▼
  • President Droupadi Murmu inaugurated the Param Vir Dirgha, a gallery at Rashtrapati Bhavan dedicated to the recipients of the Param Vir Chakra.
  • The gallery features portraits of all 21 Param Vir Chakra awardees, commemorating their exceptional acts of valour, courage, and self-sacrifice during war.
  • The Param Vir Dirgha replaces colonial-era displays of British Aides-de-camp (ADCs) that were previously housed in the corridors of Rashtrapati Bhavan.
  • The inauguration was held on Vijay Diwas, an occasion observed on December 16 to commemorate India’s victory in the 1971 war and the liberation of Bangladesh.
  • President Droupadi Murmu stated that Operation Sindoor demonstrated India’s strength, discipline, and deterrence to the world.

Padma Awards 2026 announced with 131 recipients across Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri categories.

Key Updates:

  • The Government of India announced 131 Padma Awards for 2026, including 5 Padma Vibhushan, 13 Padma Bhushan and 113 Padma Shri.
  • Veteran actor Dharmendra Singh Deol and former Kerala Chief Minister V S Achuthanandhan were awarded the Padma Vibhushan posthumously.
  • Cricketer Rohit Sharma, actor R Madhavan, and Malayalam cinema icon Mammootty featured among prominent awardees across Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan categories.
  • Maharashtra topped the list with 15 awardees, followed by Tamil Nadu (13), Uttar Pradesh (11), West Bengal (11) and Kerala (8).
  • Adman Piyush Pandey received the Padma Bhushan posthumously for contributions to the Indian advertising industry.
  • Techi Gubin, President of Arunachal Vikas Parishad, was named for the Padma Shri in social service.
  • 45 awardees were recognised as ‘unsung heroes’ under the Padma Shri category, including former bus conductor Anke Gowda and paediatrician Armida Fernandez.
  • The Padma Awards are conferred by the President of India and will be presented by President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan, usually around March–April.

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25th Bharat Rang Mahotsav begins on January 27 (End of January) ▼
  • 25th Bharat Rang Mahotsav begins on January 27 and ends on February 20.
  • Festival features 277 Indian and 12 international productions from 15 countries.
  • First time inclusion of productions by 33 women directors.
  • New venues added: Ladakh, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, Daman & Diu, Aizawl, Tura, Nagaon, Mandi, Rohtak.
  • Languages showcased include Maithili, Bhojpuri, Tulu, Urdu, Sanskrit, Tai Khamti, Nyishi.
  • First-time participation of transgender communities, sex workers, senior citizens.
  • NSD to launch NSD radio station, OTT channel, and podcast series during the festival.
  • Tributes paid to Ebrahim Alkazi, Ratan Thiyam, Daya Prakash Sinha, Bansi Kaul, Alok Chatterjee.
  • 17 new books on theatre to be launched under NSD's Shruti initiatives.
Ilaiyaraaja to receive Padmapani Award at Ajanta-Ellora International Film Festival (AIFF) 2026 (End of January) ▼
  • Ilaiyaraaja will be honored with the Padmapani Award at the 2026 Ajanta-Ellora International Film Festival (AIFF).
  • The award presentation will take place during the opening ceremony on January 28 in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar.
  • He will receive a Padmapani Memento, a letter of honor, and a cash prize of Rs 2 lakh.
  • The selection committee was led by film critic Latika Padgaonkar and included filmmakers Ashutosh Gowariker, Sunil Sukthankar, and Chandrakant Kulkarni.
  • Past recipients of the award include Javed Akhtar and Om Puri.
98th Academy Awards nominations announcement on January 22 (Start of January) ▼
  • Five Indian films, including Kantara: A Legend – Chapter 1, Sister Midnight, Mahavatar Narsimha, Tanvi the Great, and Tourist Family, have secured eligibility for the Best Picture category at the 98th Academy Awards.
  • Neeraj Ghaywan’s film Homebound is India’s official submission and has been shortlisted among the top 15 finalists in the Best International Feature category.
  • The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) requires films to complete the confidential Academy Representation and Inclusion Standards Entry (RAISE) form to meet eligibility requirements for the Best Picture race.
  • Final nominations for the 98th Academy Awards will be announced on January 22, with 10 nominees selected for Best Picture and five for other categories.
  • Bollywood actor Dharmendra (1935-2025), widely known as the 'He-Man' of Indian cinema, passed away.
Banaras Lit Fest announces Book Awards 2026; Namita Gokhale gets Lifetime Achievement Award (End of January) ▼
  • Banaras Lit Fest announced winners of the second Banaras Lit Fest Book Awards 2026 in New Delhi.
  • Bhartendu Harishchandra Lifetime Achievement Award conferred on writer and cultural curator Namita Gokhale.
  • Announcement made at the outreach and curtain-raiser event at Hi-Tech Institute of Engineering & Technology, Delhi NCR.
  • Awards recognise excellence in fiction, poetry, non-fiction and translation across English, Hindi and Indian languages.
  • Each category award carries ₹51,000, citation and trophy; Lifetime Achievement Award carries ₹1 lakh.
  • Awards to be presented during Banaras Lit Fest from January 30 to February 1, 2026, at Hotel Taj, Banaras.
  • Gokhale honoured for contributions to writing, publishing and cultural dialogue across generations.
  • Festival President Deepak Madhok said the awards have emerged as a credible literary benchmark.
  • Founder Brijesh Singh announced the introduction of a Youth Award category.
  • Gomati Devi Eminence Awards 2026 announced for contributions to nation-building across sectors.

Abhijit Majumdar dies at 54

Key Updates:

  • Abhijit Majumdar, Odia composer-singer, died at the age of 54 while undergoing treatment at AIIMS Bhubaneswar.
  • He was admitted to AIIMS Bhubaneswar on September 4 last year with hypertension, hypothyroidism and chronic liver disease.
  • He suffered a cardiac arrest at 7.43 am and was declared dead at 9.02 am.
  • His mortal remains will be taken to his home in Cuttack for last rites.

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Prashant Tamang Passed Away As Indian Idol Season 3 Winner (Mid of January) ▼
  • Prashant Tamang, the winner of Indian Idol Season 3, passed away at the age of 43 due to a suspected cardiac arrest in Delhi.
  • He served as a constable in the Kolkata Police and was a member of the police band before winning the national singing competition in 2007.
  • He was a significant figure in the Gorkhaland movement in Darjeeling, West Bengal, and was supported by the Gorkha National Liberation Front (GNLF) and the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM).
  • He debuted in the Nepali film industry with the movie Gorkha Paltan in 2010 and later starred in Nishani (2014) and the series Pataal Lok Season 2.
  • Known as 'Pahad Ka Gaurav' (Pride of the Hills), he released his winning music album titled Dhanyavaad in 2007 which featured the song Bir Gorkhali.
  • He was declared dead at the Mata Chanan Devi Hospital in Delhi and is survived by his mother, two sisters, and wife Geeta Thapa.
Noted Odia playback singer Humane Sagar passes away at 34 (Mid of November) ▼
  • Full Name and Role: Humane Sagar, renowned playback singer known for his contribution to Odia cinema
  • Event Details: Passed away on Monday evening after undergoing intensive treatment at AIIMS Bhubaneswar for the past three days
  • Career Achievement: Winner of the reality TV show Voice of Odisha on Tarang TV in 2012; breakthrough song was the title track of the feature film Ishq Tu Hi Tu
Kannan Pattambi passes away at 62 (Start of January) ▼
  • Kannan Pattambi, Malayalam actor and production controller, died while undergoing treatment for a kidney-related ailment at a private hospital in Kozhikode, Kerala.
  • His elder brother Major Ravi confirmed the news through a Facebook post.
  • Pattambi worked extensively with Major Ravi and Mohanlal on films including Mission 90 Days, Pulimurugan, Kandahar, Karmayodha and Kurukshetra.
  • He acted in 23 films including Black, Vettam, Odiyan and 12th Man.
Kabindra Purkayastha passes away at 95; former Union Minister and BJP stalwart. (Start of January) ▼
  • Kabindra Purkayastha, former Union Minister and veteran Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader, died at Silchar Medical College and Hospital after prolonged illness.
  • He joined BJP in 1980 and led the party to its first-ever Lok Sabha seats from Assam in 1991.
  • Born in Kamarkhal village, now in Bangladesh’s Sunamganj district, he migrated to Silchar post-Partition.
  • He is survived by son Kanad Purkayastha, Rajya Sabha MP, a daughter, and grandchildren.

Mark Tully, veteran journalist and former BBC New Delhi bureau chief, dies at 90.

[British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), United Kingdom]

Key Updates:

  • Mark Tully passed away at Max Hospital Saket in Delhi on 25 January 2026 at the age of 90.
  • He was born in Calcutta (now Kolkata) on 24 October 1935 to British parents.
  • Tully served as the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) New Delhi bureau chief for 22 years.
  • He was knighted in 2002 and received the Padma Bhushan from the Government of India in 2005.
  • His notable books on India include No Full Stops in India, India in Slow Motion and The Heart of India.

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Peter Arnett, Pulitzer-winning war reporter, dies aged 91 (Mid of December) ▼
  • Peter Arnett, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and war correspondent, died surrounded by family and friends in California while receiving hospice care for prostate cancer.
  • Arnett won the Pulitzer Prize for international reporting in 1966 for his Vietnam War coverage while working for the Associated Press (AP).
  • He joined Cable News Network (CNN) in 1981 and became known for reporting on the first Gulf War from Baghdad, where he interviewed then-president Saddam Hussein.
  • In 1997, Arnett became the first Western journalist to interview Osama Bin Laden at a secret hideout in Afghanistan.
  • Arnett was dismissed by National Broadcasting Company (NBC) after giving an interview on Iraqi state television that was viewed as critical of United States military strategy, and was hired by the Daily Mirror the same day.
Ira 'Ike' Schab, WWII Navy veteran and Pearl Harbor survivor, died at 105. (End of December) ▼
  • Ira 'Ike' Schab, one of the last remaining survivors of the 1941 Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor, died at home in Beaverton, Oregon.
  • He was a 21-year-old sailor aboard the USS Dobbin during the attack and helped feed ammunition to an anti-aircraft gun.
  • After the war, Schab worked as an electrical engineer for General Dynamics on the Apollo spaceflight program.
  • He regularly attended Pearl Harbor remembrance ceremonies to honor those who did not survive.
Sophie Kinsella remembered as 'wonderful, warm woman' (Mid of December) ▼
  • Sophie Kinsella, author of the bestselling Shopaholic series, died at the age of 55.
  • She was diagnosed with a glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer, in 2022.
  • Her books have sold more than 50 million copies in more than 60 countries and have been translated into more than 40 languages.
  • She is survived by her husband Henry and their five children.
Hugh Morris, former England and Glamorgan batter and England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) chief executive, passes away at 62 (End of December) ▼
  • Hugh Morris captained England A as well as leading Glamorgan over two spells.
  • He was diagnosed with bowel cancer in January 2022 and left his role as Glamorgan chief executive in September 2023.
  • Morris led Glamorgan to the Sunday League title in 1993 and won three full England caps.
  • He spent 16 years in various senior roles at the ECB and oversaw three consecutive Ashes series wins for the England men's Test team.
  • He was appointed MBE in 2022 for services to cricket and charity and was inducted into the Welsh Sports Hall of Fame in September 2024.

Tashi Namgyal Receives Ladakh State Award Posthumously

[Ladakh]

Key Updates:

  • Tashi Namgyal was a Kargil War hero from Ladakh.
  • He was conferred the State Award posthumously by the Ladakh administration.
  • His vigilance marked the opening chapter of Operation Vijay.

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Haryana Assembly passes resolution to commemorate 350th martyrdom year of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji (End of December) ▼
  • The house unanimously passed a resolution to commemorate the 350th martyrdom year of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, the Ninth Guru and protector of India’s honour.
  • A forest was developed in the name of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji in Kalesar, Yamunanagar district, which included tree plantations, a wildlife conservation block, and the construction of the Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji Gate.
  • In the same district, the Guru Tegh Bahadur Agricultural College was announced in Kishanpura, linking Guru Sahib’s name with education and agriculture.
  • 350 blood donation camps were organised across Haryana, collecting over 23,000 units of blood.
  • Essay competitions were held in schools in Sanskrit, Hindi, Punjabi, and English, engaging 350,000 students.
  • Prime Minister Narendra Modi also joined the congregation at Jyotisar, Kurukshetra. During the event, he released a commemorative coin and postage stamp issued by the Government of India in honour of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh launches 'My Stamp' for Rezang La War Memorial (Mid of November) ▼
  • The makers of '120 Bahadur' launched a customised 'My Stamp' based on the Rezang La War Memorial.
  • Defence Minister Rajnath Singh unveiled the stamp in New Delhi.
  • The initiative celebrates the valour and spirit of the soldiers who laid down their lives at Rezang La, ahead of the 63rd anniversary of the historic battle.
  • The revered Rezang La War Memorial is situated in Chushul, Ladakh.
  • The memorial honours the soldiers who laid down their lives during the Battle of Rezang La in the 1962 India-China war.
Prime Minister releases commemorative postal ticket and coin on Guru Tegh Bahadur’s 350th Martyrdom Anniversary in Kurukshetra (End of November) ▼
  • PM Modi released a commemorative postal ticket and a special coin dedicated to the 350th Martyrdom Anniversary of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur.
  • The event was organised by the Haryana Government at Jyotisar village in Kurukshetra.
  • PM Modi also inaugurated the Panchajanya Memorial at the Mahabharata Experience Centre complex in Jyotisar.
Indian Army honours Operation Pawan heroes on November 25, 2025 (End of November) ▼
  • Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi led the first-ever official commemoration of Operation Pawan on November 25, 2025.
  • Hundreds of troops lost their lives, and over 1,000 were injured during Operation Pawan, which occurred between October 7, 1987 and October 27, 1987, against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in Sri Lanka.
  • Major R. Parameswaran, who received the Param Vir Chakra, was among those honoured by the Indian Army Chief on November 25, 2025.

Anke Gowda received Padma Shri 2026 in Unsung Heroes category.

Key Updates:

  • Anke Gowda, 75, was awarded Padma Shri 2026 for lifelong service to librarianship.
  • He runs Pustaka Mane in Haralahalli village, Pandavapura taluk, Mandya district, housing over 20 lakh books.
  • His collection includes 5,000 dictionaries, five lakh rare foreign books, 35,000 international magazines, 2,500 Kannada magazines, 2,500 titles on Mahatma Gandhi, 2,500 books on the Bhagavad Gita, and over 100 religious texts.
  • He received Limca Book of Records in 2016, Rajyotsava Award in 2014, Alva’s Nudi-Siri Award in 2011, and G.P. Rajaratnam Sahitya Paricharika Award in 2009.

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Semmozhi Illakiya Virudhu Classical Language Literary Award carries Rs 5 lakh cash prize (Mid of January) ▼
  • The Tamil Nadu government will institute annual literary awards named 'Semmozhi Illakiya Virudhu Classical Language Literary Award' for best works in Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, Odiya, Bengali and Marathi.
  • Each award carries a cash prize of Rs 5 lakh and will be given every year.
  • Selection will be entrusted to independent experts through language-specific committees of reputed writers to ensure quality and transparency.
Maitreyi Pushpa conferred with IFFCO Sahitya Samman 2025 and Ankita Jain receives IFFCO Yuva Sahitya Samman (Start of January) ▼
  • Maitreyi Pushpa received the IFFCO Sahitya Samman 2025 for her literary contributions on rural and agricultural life.
  • Ankita Jain was awarded the IFFCO Yuva Sahitya Samman for her book 'Oh Re! Kisan'.
  • The awards were presented by IFFCO Chairman Dilip Sanghani at Kamani Auditorium in New Delhi.
  • The award instituted by Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative Limited (IFFCO) carries a memento, citation, and Rs 11 lakh cheque.
  • Maitreyi Pushpa was born in Sikurra village of Aligarh district and obtained her M.A. in Hindi Literature from Bundelkhand College, Jhansi.
  • Ankita Jain is the Director of agro-manufacturing firm 'Vaidik Vatika' and founding member of 'Jai Jungle Farmers Producer Company'.
Banaras Lit Fest announces Book Awards 2026; Namita Gokhale gets Lifetime Achievement Award (End of January) ▼
  • Banaras Lit Fest announced winners of the second Banaras Lit Fest Book Awards 2026 in New Delhi.
  • Bhartendu Harishchandra Lifetime Achievement Award conferred on writer and cultural curator Namita Gokhale.
  • Announcement made at the outreach and curtain-raiser event at Hi-Tech Institute of Engineering & Technology, Delhi NCR.
  • Awards recognise excellence in fiction, poetry, non-fiction and translation across English, Hindi and Indian languages.
  • Each category award carries ₹51,000, citation and trophy; Lifetime Achievement Award carries ₹1 lakh.
  • Awards to be presented during Banaras Lit Fest from January 30 to February 1, 2026, at Hotel Taj, Banaras.
  • Gokhale honoured for contributions to writing, publishing and cultural dialogue across generations.
  • Festival President Deepak Madhok said the awards have emerged as a credible literary benchmark.
  • Founder Brijesh Singh announced the introduction of a Youth Award category.
  • Gomati Devi Eminence Awards 2026 announced for contributions to nation-building across sectors.
Ilaiyaraaja to receive Padmapani Award at Ajanta-Ellora International Film Festival (AIFF) 2026 (End of January) ▼
  • Ilaiyaraaja will be honored with the Padmapani Award at the 2026 Ajanta-Ellora International Film Festival (AIFF).
  • The award presentation will take place during the opening ceremony on January 28 in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar.
  • He will receive a Padmapani Memento, a letter of honor, and a cash prize of Rs 2 lakh.
  • The selection committee was led by film critic Latika Padgaonkar and included filmmakers Ashutosh Gowariker, Sunil Sukthankar, and Chandrakant Kulkarni.
  • Past recipients of the award include Javed Akhtar and Om Puri.

Simran Bala becomes first woman from Jammu and Kashmir’s Rajouri to join Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and will lead all-male contingent on Republic Day.

[Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Jammu and Kashmir]

Key Updates:

  • Simran Bala, 26-year-old Assistant Commandant in Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), hails from Nowshera sector of Rajouri district in Jammu and Kashmir.
  • She will lead an all-male CRPF contingent of over 140 personnel during the Republic Day parade on Kartavya Path in New Delhi on 26 January 2026.
  • Bala is the first woman from Rajouri district to join CRPF as an officer.
  • Her family stated that she represents the third generation in their family to serve the nation in uniform.

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Tamil Nadu Government–UN Women MoU for Gender-Responsive Governance (Start of January) ▼
  • The MoU aims to strengthen institutional capacities for gender-responsive governance and planning.
  • It focuses on achieving Sustainable Development Goals through a gender-equality perspective.
  • It seeks to strengthen gender-responsive planning and budgeting and create economic opportunities for women.
  • UN Women will provide technical support to the Government of Tamil Nadu for implementing these initiatives.
  • The Social Welfare and Women’s Rights Department, Home, Prohibition and Excise Department, and Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Department will be directly involved.
Chandana Sinha received the Ati Vishisht Rail Sewa Puruskar (Mid of January) ▼
  • Railway Protection Force (RPF) inspector Chandana Sinha was conferred with the Ati Vishisht Rail Sewa Puruskar, the highest service honour of the Indian Railways.
  • She received the award at a ceremony in Delhi on January 9 for her efforts in rescuing children from trafficking and exploitative labour.
  • Sinha has led the rescue of more than 1,500 children across the rail network of Uttar Pradesh over the past three years.
  • She was appointed to lead Operation Nanhe Farishte, the child rescue initiative of the Indian Railways, in June 2024.
  • Her unit rescued 1,032 children in 2025, including 39 children trafficked for labour and a six-year-old girl.
  • Sinha joined the RPF in 2010 and is originally from Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh.
Ravi Shankar Chhabi Appointed Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) (End of January) ▼
  • Ravi Shankar Chhabi was appointed as the DIG in the CRPF following an order issued on January 19, 2026.
  • He is a 2007-batch Regular Recruit (RR) officer of the Indian Police Service (IPS) belonging to the Uttar Pradesh cadre.
  • Prior to this appointment, he served as the DIG of Public Grievances at the Director General of Police (DGP) Headquarters in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh.
  • He performed duties as a Police Observer for the 1-Baramulla Parliamentary Constituency during the 2024 General Elections.
  • His previous assignments include serving as the DIG of Prison Administration and Reforms and as the Superintendent of Police (SP) for the Women Power Line 1090.
East Bengal defeats APF FC to win inaugural SAFF Women's Club Championship (End of December) ▼
  • East Bengal FC clinched the title of the inaugural edition of the SAFF Women’s Club Championship with a dominant 3-0 win over hosts APF FC in the final at the Dasrath Stadium.
  • Ugandan star striker Fazila Ikwaput scored a brace while India international Shilky Devi Hemam netted once to complete the flawless campaign for the Moshal girls.
  • Fazila also won the golden boot with nine goals in five games.
  • Anthony Andrews’ side scored 14 goals and conceded none in their five matches during the tournament.
  • East Bengal thus became the first Indian women’s club to win an international tournament.

United States threatens 100 per cent tariffs on Canada over China trade ties

[United States, Canada, China]

Key Updates:

  • U.S. President Donald Trump warned Canada of sweeping 100 per cent tariffs if Ottawa facilitates Chinese access to U.S. markets.
  • Trump posted on Truth Social that any Canada-China agreement making Canada a 'drop off port' for Chinese exports to the U.S. would trigger the tariff.
  • Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney recently negotiated a 'strategic partnership' with China during a Beijing trip aimed at expanding bilateral trade and investment.
  • Federal Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc stated Canada is not pursuing a free trade deal with China and that talks resolved specific tariff issues.
  • China has begun importing Canadian canola oil and beef products under the new arrangement confirmed by Federal Agriculture Minister Heath MacDonald.
  • Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew responded on X that Canada will never be taken over by China or Trump.

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Mexico Senate approves up to 50% tariffs on China and other non-FTA countries (Mid of December) ▼
  • Mexico Senate passed new tariffs of up to 50% on over 1,400 products including metals, cars, clothing and appliances.
  • The levies will take effect on 1 January 2026 and apply to countries without a free trade agreement with Mexico, including China, Thailand, India and Indonesia.
  • President Claudia Sheinbaum stated the measures are needed to boost domestic production.
  • China’s commerce ministry spokesperson said the tariffs will substantially harm the interests of trading partners including China and urged Mexico to correct its decision.
  • The move comes as Mexico negotiates with the US over threatened US tariffs on Mexican steel and aluminium.
US-China Trade Truce in Seoul Leads to Suspension of Rare Earths Export Controls (Start of November) ▼
  • Presidents Donald Trump and Xi Jinping agreed to a trade truce.
  • The agreement was reached at a meeting in Seoul.
  • China paused plans for a dramatic expansion of its rare-earths export controls.
  • Export controls announced on Oct. 9 will be suspended for one year.
Chinese customs data records India-China bilateral trade at all-time high of USD 155.62 billion in 2025. (Mid of January) ▼
  • Indian exports to China rose to USD 19.75 billion in 2025, up USD 5.5 billion from the previous year.
  • Chinese exports to India increased 12.8% to USD 135.87 billion in 2025.
  • The India-China trade deficit widened to a record USD 116.12 billion in 2025, crossing the USD 100-billion mark for the second time since 2023.
  • In 2024, the trade deficit stood at USD 99.21 billion with China’s exports at USD 113.45 billion and India’s exports at USD 14.25 billion.
  • China’s global trade surplus reached almost USD 1.2 trillion in 2025, up 20% from 2024, with exports at USD 3.77 trillion and imports at USD 2.58 trillion.
United States (US) President Donald Trump Threatens New Tariffs on Indian Rice Imports (Start of December) ▼
  • United States (US) President Donald Trump hinted at potential new tariffs on Indian rice imports, citing 'dumping' as damaging domestic growers.
  • Indian rice exporters on Dalal Street faced a significant downturn following the US President's remarks.
  • Kohinoor Foods stock fell 9.9% to Rs 24.41, reaching its intraday and 52-week low on the BSE.
  • LT Foods stock dropped 6.5% to Rs 368, while KRBL stock retreated 2.7% to Rs 370.05.
  • The US had previously imposed a 50% tariff on Indian goods in August, consisting of an already levied 25% tariff and an additional 25% duties.
  • The US alleged the additional duties were due to India's continued purchase of Russian oil.
  • US President Donald Trump also hinted that Canadian fertiliser imports could face higher duties, with earlier proposals suggesting a rise of up to 10%, potentially reaching 45%.

Gandak river becomes India’s second-largest gharial habitat after Chambal

Key Updates:

  • Gandak river along the India-Nepal border in West Champaran, Bihar now hosts over 1,000 gharials, making it the second-largest habitat after Chambal river.
  • Adult gharials in Gandak rose from 54 in 2015 to more than 400 in 2025, recording an overall 588% increase.
  • Wildlife Trust of India (WTI) and Bihar’s forest and environment climate department jointly released 944 gharials along a 326-km stretch from Valmikinagar to Sonepur between 2015 and 2025, including 212 in 2025 alone.
  • Chambal river currently shelters over 2,400 gharials.
  • Gandak flows through Valmiki Tiger Reserve and supports an annual gharial population growth rate of 20-22%.
  • In 1975, eggs collected from Gandak initiated India’s first captive breeding and release programme at Tikarpada, Odisha.
  • International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) recognises Gandak as one of the six major global gharial habitats.
  • Global gharial numbers declined by nearly 98%, with adult population falling 58% between 1997 and 2006, leading to a 2007 IUCN listing as critically endangered.
  • IUCN’s 2019 assessment estimated about 650 breeding adult gharials worldwide.
  • Nest protection involves community-based monitoring, relocation of erosion-prone nests, and 60-70 day incubation before hatchlings are released near the mother.

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All-India Tiger Estimation-2026 kicks off in Thanthai Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary (Start of January) ▼
  • The first phase of All-India Tiger Estimation-2026 commenced in Thanthai Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary under Erode Forest Division.
  • Census teams are using the line transect method to record pugmarks, animal droppings, and direct sightings.
  • Wildlife species enumerated include tigers, leopards, gaur, elephants, and bears.
  • Large herbivores such as elephants, gaur, and deer will be enumerated in the subsequent three days.
  • Scavenging birds like vultures and vegetation details including tree species, grass varieties, weeds, shrubs, and undergrowth are also documented.
  • Field-level survey data will be compiled and submitted to the National Tiger Conservation Authority by January 31.
Madhav Gadgil passes away, recipient of United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Champions of the Earth award (Start of January) ▼
  • Madhav Gadgil chaired the Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel (WGEEP), later known as the Gadgil Commission.
  • He was a key architect of India’s Biological Diversity Act and contributed to the implementation of the Forest Rights Act.
  • Gadgil established India’s first biosphere reserve, the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, in 1986.
  • In 2024, he was named a laureate of the United Nations Environment Programme’s Champions of the Earth award.
Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) discovers rare subterranean amphibian species Gegeneophis valmiki (Mid of January) ▼
  • Indian scientists have discovered a rare subterranean amphibian species in the northern Western Ghats of Maharashtra and named it Gegeneophis valmiki.
  • The discovery, made by a multi-institutional research team led by the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI), has been published in the international journal Phyllomedusa.
  • The species was first collected in 2017 by K P Dinesh, senior scientist at ZSI, during surveys on the Valmiki Plateau in Maharashtra's Satara district.
  • Members of the genus Gegeneophis, commonly called blind caecilians, live almost their entire lives underground with eyes hidden beneath bone.
  • According to ZSI Director Dhriti Banerjee, 41 per cent of amphibians are threatened with extinction globally.
Gogabeel Lake in Bihar becomes India’s 94th Ramsar wetland site (Start of November) ▼
  • Gogabeel Lake—an oxbow wetland between the Ganga and Mahananda rivers—has been designated as India’s 94th Ramsar site
  • The lake is Bihar’s first community reserve, “conserved and managed by the local community”
  • With this addition, Bihar now has six Ramsar sites, placing it third among Indian states
  • India remains the top Ramsar nation in Asia and third globally behind the UK (176) and Mexico (144)
  • The Convention secretariat notes that during floods the lake joins the two rivers, highlighting its hydrological role

Endangered Asiatic Wild Dog sighted for first time in Madhya Pradesh's Ratapani Tiger Reserve

[Madhya Pradesh, Ratapani Tiger Reserve]

Key Updates:

  • The Asiatic Wild Dog (Dhole), listed as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), has been camera-trapped for the first time in Ratapani Tiger Reserve, Madhya Pradesh.
  • PCCF (Wildlife) Shubharanjan Sen stated this is the sixth rare wildlife species recorded on camera in the reserve during 2026.
  • Wildlife expert Amey Vikram Singh noted that Dholes were previously believed restricted to Kanha, Bandhavgarh and Pench protected areas.

Similar Coverage

DNA analysis confirms Brandt’s hedgehog as first-time Indian species in Jammu & Kashmir (End of January) ▼
  • DNA analysis and morphometric study proved that this a new species not only for J&K but the whole India
  • The animal was found to match with Brandt’s Hedgehog which presently has been reported from the countries of Afghanistan, Iran, Oman, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and Yemen but has not been reported in India until now
  • The discovery shows that the species has expanded its distribution
  • The confirmation of the presence of Brandt’s Hedgehog (Paraechinus hypomelas) is a noteworthy addition to the biodiversity of UT of Jammu and Kashmir
  • The study suggests a potential range expansion for the species, which could be attributed to various ecological factors such as climate change, habitat connectivity, and food availability
  • The discovery of Brandt’s Hedgehog highlights the need for targeted conservation efforts to be initiated with clear objectives and conservation strategies
  • To ensure the habitat availability and the extent of sites with suitable habitat, a detailed habitat analysis is to be done
  • Further studies are recommended to monitor the population dynamics of hedgehog species in the area
Eastern Imperial Eagle spotted wintering in Mudumalai Tiger Reserve (Start of January) ▼
  • Wildlife enthusiasts confirmed the presence of an Eastern Imperial Eagle visiting the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve during the winter migratory season.
  • The bird breeds primarily throughout Western and Central Asia and migrates during winter to parts of Africa, the Middle East as well as South and East Asia.
  • Arockianathan Samson from the Bombay Natural History Society documented 58 species of raptors in MTR between 2011 and 2022.
  • The tiger reserve provides an ideal habitat, food availability and a conducive climate for raptors to flourish.
  • Continuous sightings of the Imperial Eagle have been documented through the global bird-watching platform eBird from 2020 to 2025.
All-India Tiger Estimation-2026 kicks off in Thanthai Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary (Start of January) ▼
  • The first phase of All-India Tiger Estimation-2026 commenced in Thanthai Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary under Erode Forest Division.
  • Census teams are using the line transect method to record pugmarks, animal droppings, and direct sightings.
  • Wildlife species enumerated include tigers, leopards, gaur, elephants, and bears.
  • Large herbivores such as elephants, gaur, and deer will be enumerated in the subsequent three days.
  • Scavenging birds like vultures and vegetation details including tree species, grass varieties, weeds, shrubs, and undergrowth are also documented.
  • Field-level survey data will be compiled and submitted to the National Tiger Conservation Authority by January 31.
Rare Clouded Leopard Sighted in Kakoi Reserve Forest (RF) Highlights Conservation of Smaller Habitats (End of December) ▼
  • The Clouded leopard (Neofelis nebulosa) is a vulnerable and Schedule I–protected species.
  • The species was sighted at the Kakoi Reserve Forest (RF) located in the eastern Himalayan foothills of Assam.
  • The sighting was recorded during a routine camera-trap exercise.
  • The presence of the species highlights the vital role smaller reserve forests play in the conservation of threatened carnivores.
  • A Siberian tigress was spotted with five cubs in China.
  • Forest officials in Panchkula have deployed drones for rescue teams following an alert over a leopard sighting.
  • A rare red fox appeared near Pangong Tso, leading an IFS officer to flag conservation concerns.
  • The Nature Conservancy is restoring habitat for a rare moth and other prairie species.

National Health Authority (NHA) Organises Federated Intelligence Hackathon at IIT Kanpur

[National Health Authority (NHA), IIT Kanpur]

Key Updates:

  • The National Health Authority (NHA), in collaboration with the ICMR–National Institute for Research in Digital Health and Data Science (ICMR-NIRDHDS) and Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur, organised the Federated Intelligence Hackathon for Healthcare.
  • The national-level initiative was held at the IIT Kanpur campus to advance secure and scalable Artificial Intelligence (AI) solutions for India's healthcare ecosystem.
  • The event featured a Hackathon Week from 19 to 23 January 2026, followed by a two-day on-site programme beginning on 23 January 2026.
  • The hackathon received a total of 191 registrations, comprising 76 individual participants and 115 teams from health-tech start-ups, clinicians, and researchers.
  • The competition carries a total prize pool of ₹12 lakh, with winners announced during the valedictory sessions on 24 January 2026.
  • The programme integrated NHA’s digital health governance through the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) with the clinical research expertise of ICMR-NIRDHDS.
  • Technical sessions covered Health Technology Assessment (HTA), traditional machine learning, and AI use cases in ophthalmology, bone age detection, and computational pathology.
  • Participating organisations and experts included representatives from NITI Aayog, Samsung India, Google Health AI, CoRover.ai, ArtPark@IISc, and the Wadhwani Foundation.

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AI4India, Intel India and IHFC host Pre-Event for India-AI Impact Summit 2026 to spotlight inclusive AI (End of January) ▼
  • The Official Pre-Event for the India-AI Impact Summit 2026 will be held at the Research & Innovation Park, IIT Delhi.
  • IHFC (Technology Innovation Hub of IIT Delhi) will offer funding of up to Rs 2 crore to promising AI ventures.
  • An EXPO will feature 25 emerging AI startups presenting technologies for climate resilience, healthcare accessibility, digital education and smart governance.
Smart India Hackathon 2025 Grand Finale: 8,160 students code across 60 centres (Mid of December) ▼
  • The eighth edition of Smart India Hackathon (SIH) 2025 Grand Finale is being held simultaneously at 60 nodal centres—42 software hubs and 18 hardware hubs.
  • A total of 72,165 ideas were submitted by 68,766 student teams, out of which 1,360 teams comprising 8,160 students qualified for the 36-hour national coding and prototyping marathon.
  • Among the finalists, 2,993 are female students including 53 all-women teams, highlighting the initiative’s commitment to women-led innovation.
Rajasthan Regional AI Impact Conference 2026 held in Jaipur (Start of January) ▼
  • The Rajasthan Regional AI Impact Conference 2026 will be held in Jaipur on January 6.
  • The conference will focus on the role of artificial intelligence in governance, economic growth, innovation and public service delivery.
  • Senior leaders expected include Union minister for electronics and information technology Ashwini Vaishnaw, minister of state for electronics and information technology and commerce and industry Jitin Prasada, Rajasthan chief minister Bhajan Lal Sharma, and the state’s IT and communication minister Rajyavardhan Rathore.
  • Discussions will centre on AI applications in public service delivery and governance, ethical and responsible use of AI, and the impact of AI on employment and skills.
  • The conference will be held alongside Rajasthan DigiFest × TiE Global Summit 2026.
UP Regional AI Impact Conference 2026 Convenes in Lucknow Jan 12-13 (Mid of January) ▼
  • IndiaAI, MeitY, and the Uttar Pradesh government host the UP Regional AI Impact Conference 2026 in Lucknow on 12-13 January 2026.
  • The conference focuses on responsible, inclusive, and scalable AI adoption in governance, healthcare, and public service.
  • Sessions cover global AI landscape, AI-driven healthcare delivery, digital public infrastructure, diagnostics, and workforce empowerment.

67,800-year-old hand stencil in Indonesian cave becomes oldest known rock art

[Indonesia]

Key Updates:

  • A red hand stencil in Liang Metanduno cave on Muna Island, Sulawesi, Indonesia, is dated to at least 67,800 years ago, making it the oldest rock art discovered.
  • Indonesian and Australian archaeologists used uranium-thorium laser analysis of cave popcorn calcite to determine the minimum age.
  • The stencil is over 1,000 years older than Neanderthal-attributed hand stencils in a Spanish cave and more than 15,000 years older than previous Sulawesi art found by the same team.
  • The cave shows repeated use for rock art, with some works painted over up to 35,000 years later.
  • The discovery supports the northern migration route for Homo sapiens from Asia through Sulawesi to Papua New Guinea and into the ancient supercontinent Sahul that included Australia.

Similar Coverage

Indian Astronomers Discover Ancient Spiral Galaxy Alaknanda (Start of December) ▼
  • Indian astronomers have discovered 'Alaknanda,' a remarkably well-formed spiral galaxy.
  • The discovery was made by astronomers Rashi Jain and Yogesh Wadadekar from Pune-based National Centre for Radio Astrophysics (NCRA).
  • The astronomers used the powerful James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) for this discovery.
  • Galaxy Alaknanda is located 12 billion light years away and is 30,000 light years across.
  • Alaknanda likely formed when the Universe was only about 1.5 billion years old.
  • The galaxy exhibits a mature structure with clear arms, similar to our Milky Way, in a fraction of the time previously thought possible.
  • Alaknanda has the textbook grand spiral design, with two clear spiral arms wrapped around a bright centre.
  • The galaxy is forming new stars at an exceptionally rapid rate, nearly 30 times higher than the Milky Way today.
  • Observations suggest Alaknanda contains around 10 billion times the mass of the Sun in stars.
  • Its spiral arms show a beads-on-a-string pattern that signals active star formation.
  • The discovery challenges existing models of galaxy formation, as scientists believed galaxies that formed this quickly after the Big Bang should be chaotic and irregular in design.
  • The low contribution of light from Alaknanda's central bulge suggests it grew mainly through smooth gas accretion rather than through major collisions.
  • The research on Alaknanda was published in the journal Astronomy and Astrophysics.
  • Scientists will continue to study Alaknanda to understand how this galaxy assembled so fast.
Mexico's National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) reports first cube-shaped skull from intentional cranial deformation (End of December) ▼
  • The skull belonged to a 40-year-old man who lived in the Sierra Madre Oriental mountain range more than 1,000 years ago during the Mesoamerican Classic period.
  • The peculiar cube shape of the skull was a sign of 'intentional cranial deformation' carried out during a child's early years with boards and bandages.
  • The square shape was different from the typical 'conical' shapes seen elsewhere in the region and is described as 'parallelepiped,' closer to a parallelogram than a sphere.
UNESCO adds endangered living traditions to its Intangible Cultural Heritage lists (Mid of December) ▼
  • UNESCO added the Philippine artisanal sea-salt craft Asin Tibuok to the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding.
  • Viet Nam’s Đông Hồ folk woodblock printing, carved wooden blocks, natural pigments and scallop-powder paper, was inscribed on the Urgent Safeguarding List.
  • Kenya’s Mwazindika spiritual dance of the Daida community, combining dance, ritual, music and storytelling, joined the Urgent Safeguarding List.
  • Pakistan’s Boreendo clay musical instrument, Panama’s quincha mud-house construction, Paraguay’s Ñai’ũpo ceramic craft, Portugal’s moliceiro wooden boats, Uzbekistan’s Kobyz string instrument, Albania’s lahuta epic singing, Barbados landships traditions and Belarus’s Negliubka textile tradition were all added to the Urgent Safeguarding List.
  • UNESCO placed the Bisht ceremonial men’s garment shared by Qatar, Iraq, Jordan and the United Arab Emirates on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
  • Venezuela’s Joropo music-dance-poetry tradition, Bolivia’s Festivity of the Virgin of Guadalupe in Sucre, Argentina’s cuarteto dance-music, Bangladesh’s Tangail saree weaving, Afghanistan’s Behzad-style miniature art, Belgian rod marionette theatre, Belize’s Christmas Bram and Sambai, Bulgarian bagpipe traditions and the Zaffa wedding procession across parts of Africa and the Middle East were also inscribed on the Representative List.
2,000-year-old Buddhist site from Kushan Period resurfaces in Kashmir (End of December) ▼
  • Archaeologists in Zehanpora village have unearthed a significant Buddhist site dating back to the Kushan period, revealing stupas and monastic structures.
  • The discovery was initially sparked by old photographs in a French museum.
  • Prime Minister Narendra Modi called the discovery a 'proud moment' and described the site as a window into the state’s ancient identity.

Amit Shah to inaugurate Assam’s largest multidisciplinary sports stadium in Dibrugarh

[Assam, Dibrugarh]

Key Updates:

  • Union Home Minister Amit Shah will inaugurate the first phase of Assam’s biggest multidisciplinary sports stadium in Dibrugarh on 30 January 2026.
  • The mega sports complex has been constructed at a cost of ₹233 crore across 104 bighas in Khanikar, Dibrugarh.
  • The facility features a seating capacity of 35,000 and is designed to provide world-class amenities for athletes across multiple disciplines.
  • The Union Home Minister is also scheduled to lay the foundation stone for the second complex of the Assam Legislative Assembly during the visit.
  • The inauguration details were announced by Rituparna Baruah, the Chairman of the Assam Tourism Development Corporation Ltd (ATDCL).

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Odisha Integrated Secretariat & Assembly Complex: Rs 3,623 crore outlay for 50-year administrative needs (Mid of January) ▼
  • Odisha CM Mohan Charan Majhi laid the foundation for a Rs 3,623 crore integrated Lok Seva Bhawan and assembly complex spread over 71 acres.
  • The complex is designed to meet the state’s administrative and legislative needs for the next 50 years, anticipating an increase in assembly seats from 147 to about 196 after delimitation.
  • The new assembly hall will have seating capacity for 300 members and include basement parking, modern amenities and advanced security systems.
Delhi's Iconic Nehru Stadium To Be Dismantled And Reborn As 102-Acre "Sports City": Sources (Mid of November) ▼
  • The Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium complex is set to be dismantled and redeveloped into a 102-acre "Sports City"
  • The proposal is driven by "best-practice" studies carried out by officials after the sports minister returned from Qatar
  • The redevelopment aims to create a multi-sport hub with elite training facilities, community provisions and broadcast infrastructure
  • Currently only about 28% of the Nehru Stadium's space is being used
  • There is no firm timeline for the start or completion of the project
Rajasthan set to host 5th Khelo India University Games 2025 (End of November) ▼
  • Rajasthan sports minister Col. Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore announced the grand opening at Sawai Mansingh Stadium.
  • The opening ceremony features Siddharth Mahadevan, Arunita Kanjilal, folk artists curated by Rajnigandha Shekhawat, mascots Khamma and Ghani, and an aerial display.
  • Competitions will be held across Jaipur, Udaipur, Jodhpur, Kota, Ajmer, Bharatpur, and Bikaner in 24 sports with kho-kho as a demonstration event.
  • Badminton, archery and shooting events begin on Monday at Sawai Mansingh Stadium Indoor Hall, Jagatpura Archery Range and Jagatpura Shooting Range in Jaipur.
PM Modi inaugurates 72nd National Volleyball Championship in Uttar Pradesh (Start of January) ▼
  • PM Modi inaugurated the 72nd National Volleyball Championship in Uttar Pradesh via video conferencing.
  • The tournament is being held in Varanasi with 58 teams participating.
  • The championship will conclude on January 11.

Abhishek Sharma slams second-fastest T20I half-century against New Zealand

[New Zealand]

Key Updates:

  • Abhishek Sharma recorded the second-fastest half-century by an Indian in Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is) in 14 balls.
  • The record was achieved during the third T20I against New Zealand at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati.
  • Abhishek Sharma hit five fours and four sixes to surpass Hardik Pandya’s previous second-fastest record of 16 balls.
  • Yuvraj Singh holds the record for the fastest T20I half-century by an Indian, achieved in 12 balls against England in 2007.
  • India successfully chased a target of 154 runs in 10 overs, posting 94/2 during the PowerPlay overs.
  • The fastest T20I half-centuries by Indians include Yuvraj Singh (12 balls vs England, 2007), Abhishek Sharma (14 balls vs New Zealand, 2026), Hardik Pandya (16 balls vs South Africa, 2025), Abhishek Sharma (17 balls vs England, 2025), KL Rahul (18 balls vs Scotland, 2021), and Suryakumar Yadav (18 balls vs South Africa, 2022).

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Smriti Mandhana surpasses 10,000 international runs to script history (End of December) ▼
  • Smriti Mandhana became the fastest player ever and the second Indian woman after Mithali Raj to surpass 10,000 international runs.
  • She achieved the milestone during the fourth T20I against Sri Lanka at the Greenfield International Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram.
  • Mandhana scored 80 runs off 48 deliveries, hitting 11 fours and three sixes at a strike rate of 170.2.
  • She became the first Indian and second overall to reach 4,000 runs in Women’s T20Is during the series opener in Visakhapatnam.
  • Mandhana is the first Indian woman to score a century in all three formats of the game.
  • She finished 2025 as the highest run-scorer in One Day Internationals (ODIs), amassing 1,362 runs across 23 innings, including five fifties and five centuries.
  • Mandhana will lead Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the 2026 Women’s Premier League (WPL) starting January 9.
Rohit Sharma surpasses Shahid Afridi for most sixes in ODI cricket (Start of December) ▼
  • Rohit Sharma became the player with the most sixes in ODI cricket with 352 sixes, surpassing Shahid Afridi's 351.
  • Rohit Sharma achieved the record in the first ODI against South Africa.
  • Rohit Sharma hit the record-breaking 352nd six in the 20th over of India's innings.
  • Rohit Sharma reached the record in exactly 100 innings less than Shahid Afridi.
  • Rohit Sharma scored 57 off 51 balls in the match.
  • Batters with most sixes: Rohit Sharma (India) 352, Shahid Afridi (Pakistan) 351, Chris Gayle (West Indies) 331, Sanath Jayasuriya (Sri Lanka) 270, MS Dhoni (India) 229.
Vaibhav Suryavanshi smashes 36-ball century to script List A history (End of December) ▼
  • Vaibhav Suryavanshi reached the triple-digit score in just 36 balls, courtesy of 10 fours and 8 sixes.
  • At the age of 14 years, 272 days, Suryavanshi also became the youngest to hit a century in men's List A cricket.
  • The milestone puts him second in the list of fastest hundreds in List A cricket among Indians.
Ayush Mhatre breaks Rohit Sharma's world record (End of November) ▼
  • Ayush Mhatre became the youngest man to score a hundred across all three formats – First-class, List A, and T20, at 18 years and 135 days.
  • He surpassed Rohit Sharma, who had scored a First-Class, List A and T20 century by the age of 19 years and 339 days.
  • Ayush Mhatre scored an unbeaten 110*(53) for Mumbai against Vidarbha in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) in Lucknow.
  • Mumbai won the SMAT match by seven wickets and 13 balls to spare, chasing a 193-run target.
  • Ayush Mhatre broke the List A world record as the youngest-ever centurion in the format, aged 17 years and 168 days, scoring 181 against Nagaland.
  • He is likely to lead India at the upcoming U-19 World Cup in January 2026.
  • Mhatre will be leading India Under-19 at the ACC Men’s Under-19 Asia Cup in Dubai from December 12.
  • He made his T20 debut in the IPL 2025 season for the Chennai Super Kings.

Wings India 2026 held in Hyderabad from 28-31 January 2026

[Hyderabad]

Key Updates:

  • Wings India 2026 is organised by the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) and held at Begumpet Airport, Hyderabad from 28-31 January 2026.
  • The event is formally launched by Union Minister of Civil Aviation Rammohan Naidu Kinjarapu.
  • The theme is 'Indian Aviation: Paving the Future - From Design to Deployment, Manufacturing to Maintenance, Inclusivity to Innovation and Safety to Sustainability'.
  • The event features 13 thematic sessions, over 150 exhibitors, 7,500 business visitors, one lakh general visitors, more than 200 foreign delegates, over 500 B2B and B2G meetings, and aircraft displays exceeding 31 aircraft.
  • Confirmed participants include Airbus, Boeing, Embraer, HAL, Dassault, Bell Textron, ATR, Pilatus, De Havilland, RTX, Rolls-Royce, United Aircraft Corporation, CSIR-NAL, GMR, Adani, Noida International Airport, Etihad Airways, Thai Airways, Air India, IndiGo and Akasa Air.
  • Air shows include performances by the Surya Kiran Aerobatic Team of the Indian Air Force and the Mark Jefferies Aerobatic Team.

Similar Coverage

Indian carriers to induct 100 aircraft annually for next 15 years (Start of January) ▼
  • Indian carriers inducted 80 aircraft in calendar year 2025.
  • 106 more aircraft are expected to be inducted in 2026.
  • For the next 10-15 years, Indian carriers will induct about 100 aircraft annually given the orders of airlines like AI Group, IndiGo and Akasa.
  • India has 843 aircraft as of now.
  • Indian carriers (primarily Air India) are in double digits for wide-body aircraft, while Emirates has 250 wide bodies.
Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) grants NOCs to three new airlines to increase competition and lower flight costs (End of December) ▼
  • The Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) has given no objection certificates (NOCs) to three airlines – Al Hind Air, FlyExpress and Shankh Air – to provide more choice for consumers and bring down the cost of flights.
  • Shankh Air, which aims to be the leading full-service airline of Uttar Pradesh, plans to launch its flight services around the first quarter of 2026.
  • Al Hind Air, owned by the Kerala-based Alhind Group, has an initial investment between Rs 200 and Rs 500 crore and will focus on domestic and regional travel using ATR 72-600 model aircraft.
  • FlyExpress, which received its NOC from the MoCA, is reportedly backed by a courier and cargo services company from Hyderabad.
  • To begin operations, these carriers must next get an Air Operator Certificate (AOC) from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) by proving they have financial backing, aircraft, and trained crew.
Air India wins Travel + Leisure Best Domestic Airline Award (Mid of December) ▼
  • Air India has been recognised as the ‘Best Domestic Airline’ at the Travel + Leisure India and South Asia’s Best Awards 2025, for the second consecutive year.
  • The recognition is decided through a customer vote and reflects the trust placed in Air India by its patrons.
  • The award underscores the strides made by Air India in delivering an elevated product and service experience across touchpoints for millions of passengers.
  • Air India is investing significantly in modernising its fleet and enhancing customer experience, including a USD 400 million retrofit programme to refurbish existing aircraft cabins.
CSIR-NAL curtain-aiser spotlights aerospace tech under IISF 2025 (Start of December) ▼
  • CSIR–National Aerospace Laboratories (CSIR-NAL) hosted the IISF 2025 curtain-raiser under the JIGYASA Programme.
  • Students toured the Flight simulator facility to learn aircraft control and simulation-based engineering.
  • DRISHTI indigenous runway-visibility technologies were demonstrated to the visitors.
  • The Advanced composites division displayed cutting-edge materials used in aerospace structures and lightweight components.