Daily Current Affairs: 27 January 2026

K Pajanivel Conferred Padma Shri Award

Key Updates:

• K Pajanivel, a 53-year-old Silambattam exponent from Puducherry, has been conferred the Padma Shri award by the Centre.
• He has been practicing and teaching the ancient stick-based martial art for 40 years.
• Pajanivel hails from the rural Poornankuppam area of Puducherry.
• The award recognizes his efforts in preserving and promoting the traditional martial art form.
• Silambattam is highlighted for its benefits in improving mental agility, concentration, and self-defence.

Anke Gowda And 44 Others Named As Padma Awardees 2026

[Madhya Pradesh]

Key Updates:

• A total of 45 distinguished individuals have been selected for the Padma Awards 2026, comprising the Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Shri, announced one day ahead of Republic Day.
• The President of India will personally confer the awards upon the recipients at a ceremonial function to be held at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
• Karnataka’s Anke Gowda, a 75-year-old former bus conductor, was recognised for establishing Pustak Mane, a library housing over two million books and rare manuscripts in 20 languages.
• Mumbai-based paediatrician Armida Fernandes was selected for her contribution to improving infant survival through the initiation of Asia’s first human milk bank.
• The awardees include 90-year-old Tarpa player Bhiklya Ladakya Dhinda from Maharashtra, Bundeli war art trainer Bhagwandas Raikwar from Madhya Pradesh, and Jammu and Kashmir social worker Brij Lal Bhatt.
• The list features Budri Thati for establishing schools in Naxal-affected areas of Chhattisgarh, Santhali author Charan Hembrom, brass engraving expert Chiranji Lal Yadav, and Hyderabad-based geneticist Kumaraswamy Thangaraj.
• Other recipients include Dharmiklal Chunilal Pandya, Gaffaruddin Mewati Jogi, Haily War, Inderjit Singh Sidhu, K Pazhanivel, Kailash Chandra Pant, Khem Raj Sundriyal, Kollakkayli Devaki Amma ji, Mahendra Kumar Mishra, Meer Hajibhai Kasambhai, and Mohan Nagar.
• The awardees also include Naresh Chandra Dev Verma, Nilesh Vinodchandra Mandlewala, Nuruddin Ahmed, Othuvar Tiruthani Swaminathan, Padma Gurmeet, Pokhila Lekthepi, Punniyamurthy Natesan, R Krishnan, Raghupat Singh, and Raghuveer Tukaram Khedkar.
• The final set of awardees consists of Rajastapathi Kaiiappa Gounder, Rama Reddy Mamidi, Ramchandra Godbole and Sunita Godbole, SG Sushila Amma, Sangyusang S Pongenor, Shafi Shouk, Shrirang Devba Lad, Shyam Sundar, Simanchal Patro, Suresh Hangawadi, Taga Ram Bhil, Techie Gubin, Thiruvarur Bhaktavatsalam, Vishva Bandhu, and Yumnaam Jatra Singh.

Sidharth Bharathan won Best Supporting Actor at 55th Kerala State Film Awards.

[Kerala]

Key Updates:

• Sidharth Bharathan received the Kerala State Film Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role in the 2024 black-and-white horror fantasy film 'Bramayugam'.
• The 55th Kerala State Film Awards were presented by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Sunday, 25 January 2026.
• In 'Bramayugam', Sidharth Bharathan played the cook who serves the demonic entity Chathan portrayed by Mammootty.
• Bharathan described the film as 'an epoch leap' in his understanding of acting and filmmaking.

Akshita Dhankar unfurled national flag with President Droupadi Murmu at 77th Republic Day parade.

Key Updates:

• Flight Lieutenant Akshita Dhankar of the Indian Air Force (IAF) shared the flag-unfurling honour with President Droupadi Murmu on 26 January 2026.
• She was commissioned as Flying Officer in the Administration branch on 17 June 2023 under the 211 Short Service Commission (Women) Ground Duty Course with service number 38704 ADM.
• Dhankar was promoted to Flight Lieutenant and oversees administrative operations including personnel management and logistics.
• She hails from Kansi village in Haryana and joined the National Cadet Corps (NCC) while studying at Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Khalsa College, Delhi University, rising to Cadet Sergeant Major.
• She cleared the Air Force Common Admission Test (AFCAT) and received recommendation from the Air Force Selection Board (AFSB) in Mysore.

Dr Nori Dattatreyudu and Four Others Conferred with Padma Awards

Key Updates:

• Dr Nori Dattatreyudu, an Indian American radiation oncologist and pioneer in brachytherapy, was announced as a recipient of the Padma Bhushan.
• Dr Nori Dattatreyudu, who received the Padma Shri in 2015, was appointed advisor to the Andhra Pradesh and Telangana governments in 2025 for cancer care.
• Telugu actor Gadde Rajendra Prasad was conferred with the Padma Shri for his four-decade career in cinema and his performance in the international project Quick Gun Murugun.
• Garimella Balakrishna Prasad was posthumously awarded the Padma Shri for composing music for over 1,000 Annamacharya keerthanas and serving as Asthana Vidwan for Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD).
• Prof Vempati Kutumba Sastry, former Vice-Chancellor of Rashtriya Sanskrit Sansthan, received the Padma Shri for his contributions to Sanskrit scholarship and global promotion of the language.
• Maganti Murali Mohan, a former Member of Parliament (MP) representing the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), was awarded the Padma Shri for his contributions to Telugu cinema and philanthropy.
• Dr Nori Dattatreyudu was the first physician in the United States to work with a computerised brachytherapy system and received the Ellis Island Medal of Honor in 2014.
• Prof Vempati Kutumba Sastry served as the president of the International Association of Sanskrit Studies and presided over world conferences in Edinburgh, Kyoto, Bangkok, and Vancouver.

PM Modi flagged off four new trains including three Amrit Bharat Express in Kerala on 23 January 2026.

[Kerala]

Key Updates:

• PM Modi visited Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala on 23 January 2026 and flagged off three Amrit Bharat Express trains and one passenger train from Putharikandam Grounds.
• The three new Amrit Bharat Express services were Thiruvananthapuram Central–Tambaram, Thiruvananthapuram North–Charlapalli, and Nagercoil Jn–Mangaluru Jn.
• A passenger train was introduced between Thrissur and Guruvayur.
• All four trains were operated and maintained by the Southern Railway (SR) zone.
• Amrit Bharat Express trains aimed to provide affordable, safe, and reliable long-distance travel for lower and lower-middle income passengers and to strengthen inter-state connectivity across Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh.

Droupadi Murmu Inaugurates Granth Kutir Library at Rashtrapati Bhavan

Key Updates:

• President Droupadi Murmu inaugurated Granth Kutir, a library housing 2,300 books and manuscripts at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
• The library features reading material in 11 Indian classical languages: Tamil, Sanskrit, Kannada, Telugu, Malayalam, Odia, Marathi, Pali, Prakrit, Assamese, and Bengali.
• The collection includes approximately 50 manuscripts handwritten on traditional materials such as palm leaf, paper, bark, and cloth.
• The initiative aligns with the Gyan Bharatam Mission of the Union government to preserve, digitise, and disseminate India’s manuscript heritage.
• The Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA) provided professional expertise for the conservation, documentation, and display of the manuscripts.
• The library replaces colonial-era works, including the speeches of Lord Curzon and works of William Hogarth, which have been relocated within the estate.
• The Rashtrapati Bhavan recently established Param Vir Dirgha, a gallery featuring portraits of 21 Param Vir Chakra awardees to replace portraits of British Aide-De-Camps.

Dr. Chandrakant Lahariya won Wiley Research Heroes Prize 2025.

Key Updates:

• Dr. Chandrakant Lahariya, former staff member of World Health Organisation (WHO), won the Wiley Research Heroes Prize 2025.
• He is the first and only Indian so far to win this prize, which received over 2,000 nominations.
• He won in the category of 'Impact Beyond Academia' prize this year.
• He was recognised among five researchers from around the world for outstanding research contributions and research for policy impact.
• Dr. Lahariya is a health policy researcher, academician, and medical practitioner.
• He has done primary research in the area of vaccination, conditional cash transfers for mother and child health services, and on primary healthcare.

Sikkim Police Conferred President’s Police Colours

[Sikkim]

Key Updates:

• The Sikkim Police became the 15th state police force in India to be conferred with the President’s Police Colours, the highest national recognition for excellence in policing.
• Sikkim is the third state in the Northeast region to earn this distinction, following Tripura and Assam.
• The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) conveyed the decision on 16 January after approval by the President of India.
• The award, also known as the Nishaan, includes a ceremonial flag measuring 3 feet 9 inches with two-inch golden fringes and is worn on the left sleeve of the uniform.
• Director General of Police (DGP) Akshay Sachdeva stated that the recognition was based on Sikkim’s status as a peaceful state and its performance in crime prevention and drug abuse campaigns.
• The Sikkim Police was founded in 1897 and currently maintains a police-public ratio of one police officer for every 116 citizens.
• The DGP noted that no state police force in the country was awarded the President’s Colours for a 31-year period between 1961 and 1992.

Major General Bipin Bakshi, Air Marshal Rajesh Kumar, Ambassador Anil Trigunayat, and Brigadier Akhelesh Bhargava author Redlines Redrawn on Operation Sindoor.

Key Updates:

• Major General Bipin Bakshi, Air Marshal Rajesh Kumar, Ambassador Anil Trigunayat, and Brigadier Akhelesh Bhargava co-author the book Redlines Redrawn: Operation Sindoor and India’s New Normal published by Konark Publishers priced at ₹995.
• The book analyses the build-up, execution, and ramifications of Operation Sindoor from military, diplomatic, and airpower perspectives.
• Air Marshal Anil Chopra is quoted in the book as a leading expert on airpower assessing Operation Sindoor’s demonstration of India’s ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative.

National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) and NTT Data to launch Unified Payments Interface (UPI) in Japan

[National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), NTT Data, Japan]

Key Updates:

• The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) has partnered with Japanese IT services firm NTT Data to roll out Unified Payments Interface (UPI) in Japan on a trial basis in fiscal 2026.
• The initial phase of the service will be available to Indian tourists visiting Japan, allowing payments to be debited directly from their bank accounts in India.
• Japan will join eight other countries that have already adopted the UPI platform, including Bhutan, Singapore, Nepal, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Sri Lanka, Qatar, Mauritius, and France.
• UPI transactions in India grew by 42 percent in fiscal 2024, reaching a total of 185.8 billion transactions.
• A June 2025 report by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) described UPI as the world’s largest real-time payment system.
• Data from 2023 shows that 49 percent of all instant-payment transactions worldwide were processed through the UPI network.
• NTT Data provides payment terminals and processing services to approximately six million stores in India and plans to promote UPI adoption among merchants in Japan.

India to cut EU car import tariff to 40% under planned free-trade pact

Key Updates:

• India will immediately lower customs duty on EU cars priced above €15,000 from up to 110% to 40%.
• The tariff is set to drop further to 10% over time for these vehicles.
• The reduction will apply to an annual quota of about 200,000 combustion-engine cars.
• Battery electric vehicles are excluded from duty cuts for the first five years to safeguard domestic firms Mahindra & Mahindra and Tata Motors.
• European carmakers Volkswagen, Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Renault and Stellantis are expected to benefit from the lower tariffs.
• EU carmakers currently hold less than 4% share in India’s 4.4 million units a year car market.
• The India-EU free trade agreement could be announced as early as Tuesday and has been dubbed the "mother of all deals".

International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA) grants in-principle PSP approval to Buyforex at GIFT IFSC.

[International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA)]

Key Updates:

• EbixCash World Money’s subsidiary Buyforex has received in-principle approval from the International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA) to operate as a Payment Service Provider in GIFT IFSC.
• Buyforex becomes the first Authorised Dealer Category-II entity to secure such approval in GIFT IFSC.
• The approved services include account issuance, e-money issuance, merchant acquisition, and cross-border fund transfers.

United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) reports India FDI inflows surge 73% to $47 billion in 2025

[United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD)]

Key Updates:

• The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) released the Global Investment Trends Monitor report highlighting global investment shifts.
• Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) inflows to India increased by 73 per cent to reach USD 47 billion in 2025.
• The surge in India was primarily driven by large investments in services including finance, Information Technology (IT), and Research and Development (R&D), as well as manufacturing.
• Global FDI reached an estimated USD 1.6 trillion in 2025, representing a 14 per cent increase from the previous year.
• FDI inflows to China declined for the third consecutive year, falling by 8 per cent to an estimated USD 107.5 billion.
• The United States remained the world’s largest FDI recipient, recording a 2 per cent increase in inflows during 2025.
• India ranked 7th globally as a host country for data centre projects, while France, the United States, and the Republic of Korea occupied the top three positions.
• Total greenfield investment in data centres surpassed USD 270 billion, accounting for more than one-fifth of all investment projects globally.
• Cross-border Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A) activity declined by 22 per cent to USD 132 billion, despite growth in the semiconductors and telecommunications sectors.
• The total value of international project finance increased by 7 per cent to USD 218 billion, although activity in this segment declined in India and Egypt.
• Major global financial centres including the United Kingdom, Luxembourg, Switzerland, and Ireland added more than USD 140 billion to the global FDI total.

IndusInd Bank appoints Arijit Basu as Part-time Chairman for three years

[IndusInd Bank]

Key Updates:

• IndusInd Bank has appointed Arijit Basu as an Additional Director in the category of Non-Executive Independent Director and Part-time Chairman for a three-year term starting 31 January 2026.
• Arijit Basu will succeed Sunil Mehta, whose tenure as the Part-time Chairman and Director of the bank concludes on 30 January 2026.
• The appointee is the former Managing Director (MD) and Board Member of State Bank of India (SBI) and former MD and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of SBI Life Insurance Company.
• He has previously served as the Chairman of the Board of HDB Financial Services Ltd, which is a subsidiary of HDFC Bank.
• Arijit Basu holds a master’s degree in arts from the University of Delhi and has completed the Certified Associate course of the Indian Institute of Bankers.
• He currently serves as an Independent Director for Prudential Plc, Peerless Hospitex and Hospital Research Centre Ltd, and CleanMax Enviro Energy Solutions Ltd.
• The appointment follows the earlier exits of former CEO Sumant Kathpalia and Deputy CEO Arun Khurana amidst investor criticism over accounting lapses in 2025.
• IndusInd Bank shares fell by 10% last year, making it the worst-performing stock on the private bank index, which rose nearly 16% during the same period.
• The bank stated that the appointment is in line with the regulatory disclosures of the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI).

Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (MDoNER) Launches Bamboo Projects with Rs 82.5 Crore Outlay

[Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (MDoNER)]

Key Updates:

• The Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (MDoNER) launched two major bamboo sector projects with a combined outlay of Rs 82.5 crore in Guwahati.
• The initiatives are being implemented by the North East Cane and Bamboo Development Council (NECBDC) in collaboration with the North Eastern Council (NEC).
• The first project, Strengthening Traditional Bamboo Artisan Clusters, aims to revitalise artisan clusters across all eight North Eastern States, benefiting over 4,500 artisans.
• MDoNER signed Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with Amazon India and Flipkart to provide digital market access and capacity building for artisan groups.
• The second project, Promotion of Engineered Bamboo Products, focuses on industrial-scale manufacturing in Karbi Anglong (Assam) and Mokokchung (Nagaland).
• The second initiative includes the development of 1,000 hectares of certified bamboo plantations and the training of 1,000 youth and artisans in advanced processing.
• An MoU was signed with All Time Plastics (ATP) Ltd. to support product development, industrial applications, and sales promotion for engineered bamboo products.
• The projects were inaugurated by Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, the Union Minister for Development of North Eastern Region.

Tamil Nadu Public Distribution System (PDS) and Diabetes Prevention Initiatives

[Tamil Nadu]

Key Updates:

• According to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)–INDIAB study, the prevalence of diabetes in Tamil Nadu increased from 11.1% in 2008–2010 to 22.7% in 2022–2023.
• The study published in Nature Medicine indicates that the diet in Tamil Nadu is high in carbohydrates at 65% of total calories, while protein intake is 10% compared to the recommended 15%–20%.
• Under the current Public Distribution System (PDS) in Tamil Nadu, a family of five receives 25kg of rice, 1kg of dal, 1 litre of palm oil, and 5kg of sugar every month.
• The article highlights the Karnataka PDS model, which has increased dal allocation and replaced a portion of rice with millets to improve nutritional balance.
• The Horticultural Producers’ Cooperative Marketing and Processing Society (HOPCOMS) in Karnataka is cited as a model for ensuring market access for farmers and distributing fresh produce through PDS outlets.
• Tamil Nadu currently implements the noon-meal scheme and the school breakfast scheme to support public health and nutrition.
• The ICMR–INDIAB study suggests that a 5% reduction in carbohydrate intake, replaced by plant proteins, can significantly help in preventing diabetes.

Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) Completes 11 Years with 12-Point Rise in Sex Ratio at Birth

Key Updates:

• The Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) scheme was launched in 2015 to address the falling Sex Ratio at Birth (SRB) and gender-based educational inequalities.
• The national SRB improved from 918 in 2014–15 to 930 in 2023–24, according to data released by the Press Information Bureau (PIB).
• The Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) for girls at the secondary level increased from 75.51 per cent in 2014–15 to 78 per cent in 2023–24.
• Institutional deliveries in India rose from 61 per cent in 2014–15 to over 97.3 per cent by 2023–24.
• The Kanya Shiksha Pravesh Utsav programme successfully re-enrolled more than 100,000 out-of-school girls into the education system.
• BBBP has been integrated with Mission Shakti under the Sambal and Samarthya components, linking it to One Stop Centres, women’s helplines, and working women’s hostels.
• District-level funding is allocated based on SRB performance, providing ₹40 lakh for districts below 918, ₹30 lakh for those between 919 and 952, and ₹20 lakh for better-performing districts.
• The scheme aims to improve the SRB by two points every year and maintain institutional deliveries above 95 per cent.

Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for White Goods: Five Firms Selected with ₹863 Crore Investment

Key Updates:

• The Ministry of Commerce and Industry provisionally selected five applicants with a committed investment of ₹863 crore under the fourth round of the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for White Goods.
• The selected beneficiaries are Kirloskar Pneumatic, Indo Asia Copper, Godrej & Boyce Manufacturing Company, Kryon Technology, and Pranav Vikas (India).
• The individual investment commitments include ₹320 crore by Kirloskar Pneumatic, ₹258.97 crore by Indo Asia Copper, ₹175 crore by Kryon Technology, ₹58.69 crore by Godrej & Boyce, and ₹50 crore by Pranav Vikas (India).
• These five firms are projected to achieve a total production value of ₹8,337.24 crore and generate additional direct employment for 1,799 persons by 2027-28.
• The PLI Scheme provides incentives ranging from 6 per cent to 4 per cent on a reducing basis on incremental sales for five years following a one-year gestation period.
• The Union Cabinet approved the scheme in April 2021 with a total outlay of ₹6,238 crore for implementation between 2021-22 and 2028-29.
• The initiative aims to increase domestic value addition in the air-conditioner and LED light industries from the current 20-25 per cent to 75-80 per cent.
• The application window for this fourth round of the scheme was open from September 15 to November 10, 2025.
• The remaining eight applicants from the fourth round are being referred to the Committee of Experts (CoE) for further examination and recommendations.

Inland Waterways Development Council approves ₹1,500 crore infrastructure push

[Kochi]

Key Updates:

• The third meeting of the Inland Waterways Development Council (IWDC) held in Kochi approved projects worth more than ₹1,500 crore for expanding India’s inland water transport network.
• Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MOPSW) Sarbananda Sonowal chaired the meeting attended by state ministers from Himachal Pradesh, Bihar, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Punjab.
• The council approved Ro-Ro and cargo terminals at Muktyala and Harishchandrapuram on the Krishna river in Andhra Pradesh to strengthen cargo movement.
• Foundation stones were laid for river cruise jetties exceeding ₹150 crore in Kerala, Gujarat, Karnataka, Odisha and Telangana to expand cruise tourism circuits.

World Customs Organization (WCO) marks International Customs Day 2026 on January 26

[World Customs Organization (WCO)]

Key Updates:

• International Customs Day 2026 was observed on January 26.
• The World Customs Organization (WCO) announced the 2026 theme as 'Customs protecting society through vigilance and commitment'.
• The day traces its origin to the first session of the Customs Cooperation Council held in Brussels, Belgium in 1953.
• The Customs Cooperation Council is today known as the World Customs Organization (WCO).
• WCO represents 183 member countries working to strengthen customs systems worldwide.

United Arab Emirates (UAE) cancels plan to operate Islamabad International Airport after President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan’s visit to India

[United Arab Emirates (UAE), Islamabad International Airport]

Key Updates:

• The United Arab Emirates (UAE) scrapped plans to operate Islamabad International Airport days after President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan’s surprise visit to India.
• The airport project was under discussion since August 2025 but collapsed after Abu Dhabi failed to find a local partner and reportedly lost interest.
• The Express Tribune confirmed the cancellation was not officially linked to politics.
• Saudi Arabia and the UAE are publicly at odds, particularly over Yemen, with Riyadh opposing UAE-backed separatist factions.
• Pakistan deepened defence ties with Saudi Arabia, aiming to form an 'Islamic NATO' alongside Turkey.
• During the India visit, the UAE President approved release of 900 Indian prisoners and signed a Letter of Intent for a Framework Agreement on Defence Cooperation with India.
• Saudi Arabia and Pakistan signed a Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement in September 2025 treating any aggression against one as aggression against both.

European Union (EU) Adopts Stepwise Ban on Russian Gas and Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) Imports on 26 January 2026

[European Union (EU), Russia]

Key Updates:

• The 27 EU member states formally adopted a regulation to phase out imports of Russian pipeline gas and LNG.
• The regulation serves as a key milestone in achieving the REPowerEU objective of ending the EU reliance on Russian energy.
• The ban will start to apply six weeks after the regulation enters into force, with a full ban on LNG imports by the beginning of 2027 and pipeline gas by autumn 2027.
• Non-compliance with the new rules may result in maximum penalties of at least €2.5 million for individuals and at least €40 million for companies.
• Companies may face penalties of at least 3.5% of their total worldwide annual turnover or 300% of the estimated transaction turnover for violations.
• EU member states must verify the production country of gas imports and submit national diversification plans by 1 March 2026.
• The European Commission (EC) is authorised to suspend the import ban for up to four weeks if the security of supply is seriously threatened.
• Following the Versailles Declaration of March 2022, Russian gas imports fell to 13% of EU imports by 2025, valued at over €15 billion annually.
• The EC plans to propose further legislation to phase out Russian oil imports by the end of 2027.
• Michael Damianos, the Minister for Energy, Commerce and Industry of Cyprus, stated that the move is a step towards an autonomous Energy Union.
• India link not mentioned in the article.

Israel announces limited reopening of Rafah crossing with Egypt after final captive body located

[European Union (EU)]

Key Updates:

• Israel will allow a limited reopening of Gaza’s Rafah crossing with Egypt after locating the body of the last Israeli captive Ran Gvili.
• The announcement was made by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office late on Sunday.
• Rafah crossing will reopen for pedestrian passage only and remain under full Israeli inspection mechanism.
• The crossing was supposed to open in both directions under the first phase of the United States-brokered ceasefire in October.
• Hamas stated it handed over the location of the Israeli soldier’s remains with absolute transparency.
• More than 480 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza since the ceasefire began in October.
• Israeli attacks on Sunday killed at least three Palestinians and wounded four others in Gaza City.

India acknowledges covert Myanmar operation in July 2025 through Shaurya Chakra citation

Key Updates:

• Shaurya Chakra citation formally acknowledged an Indian Army covert operation inside Myanmar between 11 and 13 July 2025.
• Lieutenant Colonel Ghatage Aditya Shrikumar of 21 Para (Special Forces) received the award for planning and leading the precision strike.
• The operation destroyed a fortified militant camp and eliminated nine armed cadres, including senior leaders of an anti-national group.
• United Liberation Front of Asom (Independent) (ULFA-I) had alleged that three of its top leaders were killed in drone and missile strikes in Myanmar’s Sagaing region in July 2025.
• ULFA-I operates mobile camps along the 1,600-kilometre Indo-Myanmar border and seeks a sovereign Assam through armed struggle.

United States officially withdraws from the World Health Organization (WHO)

[United States, World Health Organization (WHO)]

Key Updates:

• The United States (US) has officially completed its withdrawal from the World Health Organization (WHO), a United Nations (UN) agency.
• The US Department of Health and Human Services cited the WHO's alleged mishandling of the pandemic and political influence from member states as reasons for the exit.
• Washington has terminated all government funding and recalled personnel and contractors from the WHO headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland.
• The US has not paid its membership fees for 2024 and 2025, with estimated arrears amounting to $260 million.
• In April last year, the US was the only member state that did not agree to the international pandemic treaty designed for future pandemic response.
• The WHO board is scheduled to discuss the US withdrawal during its upcoming meeting from 2-7 February.
• US Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy and Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that future engagement with the WHO will be limited to safeguarding American health interests.
• The WHO Director General, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, noted that the withdrawal represents a loss for both the US and the global community.
• India link not mentioned in the article.

Karnataka archaeology dept classifies Lakkundi gold find as treasure, recommends one-fifth value reward to finder family

[Karnataka]

Key Updates:

• Karnataka’s Department of Archaeology, Museum and Heritage classified the gold ornaments recovered from a copper pot at Lakkundi in Gadag district as a treasure.
• The ornaments weighed around 500 g and included rings, bracelet and a bangle.
• Director Dr Shejeshwar R stated the ornaments are definitely more than 100 years old and thus qualify as antique treasure.
• The department will recommend financial compensation equal to one-fifth of the treasure’s value to Ganagavva Basavaraja Ritti’s family who unearthed the pot during house modification.
• Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) senior archaeologist Ramesh Mulimani had earlier said the ornaments were unlikely to be centuries-old buried treasure and suspected recent ancestral burial.

New Plant Species Strobilanthes riteshii Discovered in Arunachal Pradesh

[Arunachal Pradesh]

Key Updates:

• Scientists from the Botanical Survey of India (BSI) and Agharkar Research Institute (ARI) discovered a new flowering plant species named Strobilanthes riteshii in Arunachal Pradesh.
• The species was identified near Chayangtajo village in the East Kameng district at an elevation of approximately 1,600 metres.
• The plant is named in honour of Dr Ritesh Kumar Choudhary, a taxonomist from the ARI, for his contributions to plant taxonomy and molecular systematics.
• Researchers recorded fewer than 25 mature individuals of the species, leading to its provisional assessment as Data Deficient under the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List criteria.
• The discovery was published in the Indian Journal of Forestry by a team including researchers from the BSI and ARI Pune.
• India hosts approximately 168 species of the genus Strobilanthes, with Arunachal Pradesh alone home to at least 44 species.
• The species is genetically distinct but closely related to plants found in India, China, and Tibet, highlighting the eastern Himalaya as a key biogeographical corridor.
• Conservation efforts have commenced with individuals of the species being maintained at the BSI Arunachal Pradesh Regional Centre.

Rice University develops copper-aluminium layered double hydroxide that removes PFAS 100 times faster than current filters

[Rice University]

Key Updates:

• Rice University scientists created a layered double hydroxide (LDH) material from copper and aluminium that absorbs long-chain PFAS up to 100 times faster than granular activated carbon or reverse osmosis.
• The positively charged LDH uses electrostatic attraction to bind negatively charged PFAS molecules and concentrates them for destruction without extreme heat.
• Heating the captured PFAS to 400-500°C breaks carbon-fluoride bonds, yielding calcium fluoride safe for landfill disposal.
• Scaling the technology faces challenges in occupational safety, regulatory compliance and real-world complexity.

Scientists use earthquake sensors to track falling space debris in real time

Key Updates:

• A study led by Johns Hopkins University (JHU) and Imperial College London (ICL) shows seismometers can trace re-entering space debris by detecting sonic-boom shock waves.
• More than 120 seismic stations across California and Nevada recorded vibrations from the 1.5-metric-ton Shenzhou 15 orbital module re-entry on 2 April 2024.
• Analysis revealed descent speeds between Mach 25 and Mach 30, altitudes of 80–150 km, and a shallow one-degree entry angle.
• Seismic data indicated a cascading break-up lasting about two seconds, increasing chances that dense fragments reach Earth’s surface.
• The technique, published in the journal Science, improves emergency response by locating debris within minutes rather than weeks.

NASA's James Webb Space Telescope produces highest-resolution dark-matter map covering 800,000 galaxies.

[National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), James Webb Space Telescope]

Key Updates:

• NASA's James Webb Space Telescope identified nearly 800,000 galaxies to create the most detailed dark-matter map over such a large sky area.
• The map has twice the resolution of previous attempts using the Hubble Space Telescope and captures galaxies spanning the past 10 billion years.
• The study, led by Diana Scognamiglio of NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), was published in Nature Astronomy.
• Dark matter comprises just over 25% of the universe, while ordinary matter makes up only 5% and dark energy fills the remainder.
• Scientists infer dark-matter distribution by measuring how its gravity warps light from distant galaxies, a technique called gravitational lensing.

East Coast Railway (ECoR) deploys humanoid robot ‘ASC Arjun’ at Visakhapatnam station

Key Updates:

• East Coast Railway (ECoR) introduced the humanoid robot ‘ASC Arjun’ at Visakhapatnam Railway Station, marking a first-of-its-kind initiative in Indian Railways.
• The robot supports security, passenger assistance, crowd management, cleanliness monitoring and safety awareness.
• ASC Arjun uses Face Recognition System (FRS) for intrusion detection and sends IoT-enabled alerts to Railway Protection Force (RPF) personnel.
• It delivers autonomous public announcements in English, Hindi and Telugu and performs semi-autonomous platform patrol with obstacle avoidance.
• The robot provides fire and smoke detection with instant alerts and interacts with passengers using cultural gestures such as Namaste and salute to RPF officers.
• Designed and developed indigenously in Visakhapatnam over more than one year, ASC Arjun integrates real-time IoT connectivity with RPF control rooms.

Indian Army inks MoU with Indian Institute of Science (IISc)-Bangalore to build indigenous AI for digital battlefield

[Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore]

Key Updates:

• Indian Army signed an MoU with Indian Institute of Science (IISc)-Bangalore to develop a fully indigenous Artificial Intelligence (AI) system for military use.
• The collaboration targets AI-driven real-time data processing, predictive analytics and decision-support tools tailored to modern warfare requirements.
• IISc-Bangalore will contribute expertise in AI, machine learning, neural networks, natural language processing and autonomous systems.
• The project aligns with Defence Acquisition Procedure 2020 and the national Atmanirbhar Bharat push for self-reliant defence R&D.
• Industry partners such as Tata Advanced Systems, Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) and iDEX scheme startups are expected to support hardware and software integration.
• The initiative aims to reduce dependence on foreign vendors and strengthen India’s position against adversaries’ AI-integrated warfare systems.
• Funding may draw from the Army’s Technology Development Fund and the newly announced INR 1 lakh crore Defence R&D corpus.
• Ethical safeguards include robust data governance, bias mitigation and cybersecurity protocols to protect sensitive military datasets.
• Successful prototypes could undergo trials at the Army’s Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (CAIR) before induction within 3-5 years.
• The partnership may extend AI interoperability to the Indian Navy and Indian Air Force, embedding AI as a tri-service force multiplier.

77th Republic Day celebrated with theme '150 years of Vande Mataram'

Key Updates:

• The 77th Republic Day celebrations had the theme '150 years of Vande Mataram'.
• President of the European Council Antonio Costa and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen were the chief guests at the 77th Republic Day celebrations.
• This year marks the first Republic Day after Operation Sindoor where India showcased its military might.
• The parade began with President Droupadi Murmu taking the salute at Kartavya Path.
• A total of 29 Indian Air Force aircraft, including 16 fighter jets, four transport aircraft and nine helicopters, participated in the flypast.
• For the first time, the parade showcased a phased Battle Array Format of the Indian Army, including the aerial component.
• A military contingent from the European Union (EU) participated, marking the EU’s first participation in such an event outside of Europe.

77th Republic Day parade on 26 January 2026 to feature 30 tableaux and mark 150 years of Vande Mataram

Key Updates:

• The parade showcased 30 tableaux: 17 from states and Union Territories, 13 from ministries, departments and services.
• The overarching themes are ‘Swatantrata ka Mantra: Vande Mataram’ and ‘Samriddhi ka Mantra: Aatmanirbhar Bharat’.
• Assam’s tableau theme is ‘Asharikandi – Terracotta Craft Village of Assam’.
• Chhattisgarh’s tableau theme is ‘The Mantra of Freedom – Vande Mataram’.
• Gujarat’s tableau theme is ‘Mantra of Swadeshi – Self-Reliance – Freedom: Vande Mataram’.
• Himachal Pradesh’s tableau theme is ‘Dev Bhoomi, Veer Bhoomi’.
• Jammu and Kashmir’s tableau will display Handicrafts and Folk Dances of Jammu & Kashmir.
• Kerala’s tableau theme is ‘Water Metro & 100% Digital Literacy: Aatmanirbhar Kerala for Aatmanirbhar Bharat’.
• Maharashtra’s tableau theme is ‘Ganeshotsav: A Symbol of Aatmanirbharta’.
• Manipur’s tableau theme is ‘Towards Prosperity: From Agricultural Fields to International Markets’.
• Nagaland’s tableau theme is ‘The Hornbill Festival – Celebrating Culture, Tourism & Self-Reliance’.
• Odisha’s tableau theme is ‘Soil to Silicon: Rooted in Tradition, Rising with Innovation’.
• Puducherry’s tableau will highlight the Rich Heritage of Craft, Culture and Auroville’s Vision.
• Rajasthan’s tableau theme is ‘Golden Touch of the Desert: Bikaner Gold Art (Usta Art)’.
• Tamil Nadu’s tableau theme is ‘Mantra of Prosperity: Self-Reliant India’.
• Uttar Pradesh’s tableau theme is ‘Culture of Bundelkhand’.
• West Bengal’s tableau theme is ‘Bengal in the Freedom Movement of India’.
• Madhya Pradesh’s tableau theme is ‘Punyashlok Lokmata Devi Ahilyabai Holkar’.
• Punjab’s tableau theme is ‘350th Year of Martyrdom of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji’.
• Air HQs tableau theme is ‘Veteran Tableau – Nation Building through War’.
• Naval HQs tableau theme is ‘Samudra Se Samriddhi’.
• Department of Military Affairs tableau theme is ‘Tri-Services Tableau – Operation Sindoor, Victory through Jointness’.
• Ministry of Culture tableau theme is ‘Vande Mataram – The Soul Cry of a Nation’.
• Department of School Education & Literacy tableau theme is ‘National Education Policy 2020: Rocketing Indian School Education on the Path to Viksit Bharat’.
• Ministry of AYUSH tableau theme is ‘AYUSH KA TANTRA, SWASTHYA KA MANTRA’.
• Ministry of Home Affairs (NDMA & NDRF) tableau theme is ‘Bhuj Earthquake: 25 Years of Resilience’.
• Ministry of Home Affairs (BPRD) tableau theme is ‘Jan Kendrit Nyay Pranali - Enactment of the Three New Criminal Laws – 2023’.
• Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs (CPWD) tableau theme is ‘Vande Mataram – Commemoration of 150 Years’.
• Ministry of Information & Broadcasting tableau theme is ‘Bharat Gatha: Shruti, Kriti, Drishti’.
• Ministry of Panchayati Raj tableau theme is ‘SVAMITVA Scheme – Aatmanirbhar Panchayat se Samriddh evam Aatmanirbhar Bharat’.
• Ministry of Power tableau theme is ‘Prakash Ganga: Powering an Aatmanirbhar and Viksit Bharat’.
• Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship tableau theme is ‘Powered by Skills: Building a Self-Reliant, Future-Ready India’.

77th Republic Day Parade held at Kartavya Path with theme 150 years of Vande Mataram

Key Updates:

• The 77th Republic Day Parade was held at Kartavya Path in New Delhi with the dominant theme of 150 years of Vande Mataram.
• The Bhairav light commando battalion of the Sikh Light Infantry regiment, a specialised assault infantry unit designed for rapid response, made its debut in the national parade.
• The Shaktiban Regiment, a newly raised artillery unit equipped with drones, counter-drones, and loiter munition, was showcased for the first time.
• The Universal Rocket Launcher System (Suryastra) with deep-strike capabilities and the Long Range Anti-Ship Hypersonic Missile (LR-AShM) by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) were displayed.
• For the first time, the mounted 61 Cavalry contingent appeared in combat gear, departing from their traditional ceremonial uniform.
• Double-humped Bactrian camels and Zanskar ponies were included in the ceremonial event for the first time.
• A mixed scouts contingent comprising members from Ladakh Scouts, Dogra Scouts, Arunachal Scouts, Kumaon Scouts, Garhwal Scouts, and Sikkim Scouts participated in heavy thermal gear.
• The Remount Veterinary Corps (RVC) contingent featured raptors (kites) and Army dogs as part of the marching display.
• Key military assets showcased included the BrahMos, Akash missile system, Medium Range Surface-to-Air Missile (MRSAM), Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS), and Dhanush artillery gun.
• The parade featured 18 marching contingents and 13 bands, lasting approximately 90 minutes.

Republic Day Parade 2026: Bactrian Camels to march on Kartavya Path

Key Updates:

• Two Bactrian camels (Camelus bactrianus) named Galwan and Nubra will participate in the Republic Day Parade 2026 on Kartavya Path.
• The camels will be part of the Animal Contingent led by the Remount & Veterinary Corps (RVC).
• The contingent will also feature indigenous Zanskar ponies from Ladakh and Army dog breeds including Rajapalayam, Chippiparai, Mudhol, Kombai, and Rampur.
• Ladakh is the only region in India where the double-humped Bactrian camel species is found.
• The genus Camelus includes two domestic species: the single-humped Dromedary (Camelus dromedarius) and the double-humped Bactrian (Camelus bactrianus).
• The name Bactrian is derived from the ancient kingdom of Bactria, located in modern-day Balkh, Afghanistan, which was known as Bahlika or Tushara in ancient Sanskrit sources.
• Bactrian camels were historically known as the Ships of the Silk Road and were used by Chinese monks Faxian (Fahien) and Xuanzang (Hiuen Tsang) to travel to India.
• The species is capable of carrying average loads of approximately 180 kilograms and can travel between 35 to 40 kilometres per day.