Daily Current Affairs: 31 January 2026

Sunetra Pawar set to become Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister.

[Maharashtra]

Key Updates:

• Sunetra Pawar, wife of late Ajit Pawar, is set to take oath as Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra.
• The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) will hold a legislature party meeting at Vidhan Bhavan in Mumbai to finalise her position as legislature party leader.
• If appointed, Sunetra Pawar will become the first woman Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra.
• Sunetra Pawar is currently a Rajya Sabha MP and not a member of either house of the Maharashtra legislature.
• Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis stated that the BJP will support any decision taken by the NCP regarding the Deputy Chief Minister post.
• Ajit Pawar, former Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra, died in a plane crash near Baramati airport in Pune district.

Suriya, Dhanush, and Nayanthara Win Tamil Nadu State Film Awards

[Tamil Nadu]

Key Updates:

• The Tamil Nadu government announced the winners of the State Film Awards for the years 2016 to 2022, honouring excellence across 32 categories for actors, filmmakers, and technicians.
• Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin will present the awards on February 13, 2026, at the Kalaivanar Arangam in Chennai.
• The Best Film (First Prize) winners for the period 2016-2022 are Maanagaram, Aramm, Pariyerum Perumal, Asuran, Koozhangal, Jai Bhim, and Gargi.
• Best Actor awardees for the seven-year period include Vijay Sethupathi, Karthi, Dhanush, R. Parthiban, Suriya, Arya, and Vikram Prabhu.
• Best Actress awardees for the period 2016-2022 are Keerthy Suresh, Nayanthara, Jyothika, Manju Warrier, Aparna Balamurali, Lijomol Jose, and Sai Pallavi.
• Best Director winners include Lokesh Kanagaraj, Pushkar-Gayathri, Mari Selvaraj, R. Parthiban, Sudha Kongara, T.J. Gnanavel, and Gautham Ramachandran.
• Best Music Director awards were conferred upon Sam C.S., Hip Hop Tamizha, Santhosh Narayanan, Thaman, G.V. Prakash Kumar, Sean Roldan, and A.R. Rahman.
• Best Supporting Actor winners include R. Parthiban, Bose Venkat (twice), Ameer, Prakash Raj, Karunas, and K. Manikandan.
• Best Supporting Actress winners include Manisha Yadav, Sunu Lakshmi, Viji Chandrasekhar, Sriranjani, Vadivukkarasi, Raichal Rebecca, and Vasundara Kashyap.
• Television (TV) serial first prize winners from 2014 to 2022 include Azhagi, Romapuri Pandian, Ramanujar, Nandhini, Poove Poochudava, Sembaruthi, Raasathi, Sundari, and Ethir Neechal.
• Documentary awardees for the Tamil Nadu Government M.G.R. Film and Television Institute include P. Ram Kumar, S. Kannan, A.K. Kranthi, S. Varun Subbiah, S. Karunakaran, and R. Giridharan.

A.V. Girija Kumar appointed Chairman of IRDAI Reinsurance Advisory Committee.

[Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI)]

Key Updates:

• A.V. Girija Kumar, former Chairman and Managing Director of Oriental Insurance Company Ltd., was appointed Chairman of the reconstituted Reinsurance Advisory Committee (RAC) by the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI).
• The reconstituted RAC includes Praveen Vashishta, former CEO and Managing Director of Howden Insurance Brokers India Pvt. Ltd.; Roopam Asthana, former CEO of Liberty General Insurance; and T.L. Alamelu, former Whole-Time Member of IRDAI.
• The committee has been constituted for a tenure of three years under Section 101B of the Insurance Act, 1938.
• The Deputy General Manager (Reinsurance) at IRDAI will function as Secretary to the RAC.

Kota Ravi recommended as CMD of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).

[Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL)]

Key Updates:

• The Public Enterprises Selection Board (PESB) recommended Shri Kota Ravi for the post of Chairman and Managing Director of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited during PESB Meeting No. 8/2026.
• Shri Kota Ravi is currently serving as Director (Operations) at HAL.
• The PESB recommendation will now be placed before the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) for final approval.

Michael Nobbs, Former India Men's Hockey Coach, Passed Away

Key Updates:

• Michael Nobbs, the former head coach of the Indian men’s hockey team, passed away at the age of 72 in Melbourne after a battle with lung cancer first detected in March 2020.
• He served as the head coach of the Bharat Chettri-led Indian men's hockey team from June 2011 to July 2013.
• Under his tenure, the Indian team qualified for the 2012 London Olympics by winning all six matches during the qualifying tournament.
• During the 2012 London Olympics, the Indian team finished in the last position among the 12 participating nations.
• He was a former Australian hockey player who represented his country at the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles.
• He was credited with reintroducing Australian-style aggression and counter-attacking strategies while implementing a scientific approach to the Indian team's field play.

Enforcement Directorate (ED) files supplementary prosecution complaint against Unnati Fortune Holdings Limited in Rs 126 crore money laundering case.

[Enforcement Directorate (ED), Unnati Fortune Holdings Limited]

Key Updates:

• The Directorate of Enforcement (ED), Lucknow Zonal Office, filed the complaint under Sections 44 and 45 read with Sections 3, 4 and 70 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002.
• The complaint was filed before the Court of the Special Judge, Anti-Corruption, CBI, Ghaziabad.
• The case involves the real estate company M/s Unnati Fortune Holdings Limited and its promoters.

India allows European Union (EU) banks to open 15 branches over four years under FTA

[European Union (EU)]

Key Updates:

• India has agreed to allow European Union (EU) banks to open 15 branches over four years under the free trade agreement.
• European banks currently operating in India include Deutsche Bank (Germany), BNP Paribas (France), and Societe Generale (France).
• India has provided 100 per cent foreign direct investment (FDI) commitments in the insurance sector and 74 per cent for banking services.
• The India-EU free trade agreement is expected to be signed and implemented this year.
• The trade pact includes a bilateral safeguard mechanism allowing India to raise duty to most favoured nation (MFN) level if imports from the EU surge due to tariff liberalisation.
• Bilateral safeguard measures under the mechanism cannot exceed four years, with an initial two-year period extendable by another two years upon review.
• India has taken carve-outs for national security and reserved policy space in sectors like legal services.
• The agreement includes an insufficient production clause specifying that packaging, labelling, minor assembly, or peeling do not confer origin status.
• India has no obligation under the Intellectual Property Chapter to change or modify any of its intellectual property laws.
• The trade deal mandates a general review by the joint committee within five years of entry into force and every five years thereafter.

Assam Petro-Chemicals Ltd (APL) and Deendayal Port Authority (DPA) sign MoU for ₹1,200 Crore e-Methanol plant

[Assam Petro-Chemicals Ltd (APL), Deendayal Port Authority (DPA), Gujarat]

Key Updates:

• Assam Petro-Chemicals Ltd (APL) and Deendayal Port Authority (DPA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish a 150 Tonnes Per Day (TPD) e-Methanol plant at Kandla Port in Gujarat.
• The project involves a capital investment of more than ₹1,200 crores and is expected to generate approximately 3,500 direct and indirect employment opportunities.
• Under the agreement, DPA will provide pipeline connectivity, storage, and fuel-handling infrastructure, while APL will establish the green methanol production facility within the port area.
• The plant will produce e-methanol using green hydrogen and captured carbon dioxide powered by renewable electricity to support India’s Maritime Decarbonisation roadmap.
• Kandla Port is being developed as a Green Hydrogen Hub under the National Green Hydrogen Mission, which aims to produce and export 5 million tonnes of green hydrogen over the next 5 to 6 years.
• The facility is intended to position Kandla Port as a major green fuel supply point for international maritime trade routes, including the Singapore–Rotterdam corridor.
• The initiative contributes to India’s commitment to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2070.

slice Launches Three Unified Payments Interface (UPI) Banking Solutions Including Repo-linked Savings Account

Key Updates:

• slice has introduced India’s first savings account linked to 100% of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) repo rate.
• The savings account features daily interest calculation and credit, no minimum balance requirements, and instant liquidity.
• The slice UPI credit card allows customers to scan and pay at any UPI-enabled merchant using an approved credit limit.
• The UPI credit card offers up to 3% cashback, weekly rewards through slice sparks, and a slice in 3 feature for no-cost Equated Monthly Instalment (EMI) conversion on purchases above ₹2,000.
• The credit card is issued with no joining, renewal, or annual fees.
• slice provides digital fixed deposits with interest rates of up to 7.25% per annum.
• The fixed deposits are insured up to ₹5 lakh by the Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation (DICGC).
• Rajan Bajaj is the Founder and Executive Director of slice, and Dilip Asbe is the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI).
• slice is a digital-first banking ecosystem based in Bangalore, Karnataka.

Reserve Bank of India (RBI) grants Paysharp Payment Aggregator-Physical licence

[Reserve Bank of India (RBI)]

Key Updates:

• Chennai-based fintech Paysharp received RBI Payment Aggregator-Physical (PA-P) licence on 21 January 2026.
• Paysharp had earlier obtained RBI Payment Aggregator-Online (PA-O) licence in August 2024.
• The company follows a flat-pricing model for merchants across government, B2B enterprises, NBFCs and e-commerce sectors.
• Paysharp has raised ₹23.5 crore across two funding rounds for product development, regulatory compliance and payments infrastructure expansion.

Reserve Bank of India (RBI) approves Punjab & Sind Bank branch at GIFT City

[Reserve Bank of India (RBI), Punjab & Sind Bank, GIFT City]

Key Updates:

• Punjab & Sind Bank has received approval from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to open a branch at the International Financial Services Centre (IFSC) in GIFT City, Gandhinagar.
• The branch will enable the bank to strengthen its capabilities in foreign currency lending, trade finance, treasury operations, and international banking.
• Swarup Kumar Saha, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Punjab & Sind Bank, stated that this move aligns with the bank’s long-term vision of entering the international market and supporting India’s ambition of becoming a global financial powerhouse.

Central Leprosy Division IEC Outreach Programme promotes awareness and stigma reduction

Key Updates:

• Central Leprosy Division (CLD) under Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), organised an Information, Education and Communication (IEC) outreach programme at Dilli Haat on National Leprosy Day.
• The programme included a Nukkad Natak on early signs and symptoms of leprosy and a cultural dance by children affected by leprosy supported by Rotary Club.
• A Self-Examination Mirror activity and an interactive quiz were conducted to encourage recognition of early signs and reinforce key messages, with prizes distributed to participants.
• A pamphlet titled '100 Questions & Answers on Leprosy' along with other IEC materials was distributed to promote awareness, early reporting, treatment adherence, and stigma reduction.
• Visitors took a collective pledge not to discriminate against persons affected by leprosy, supporting the goal of a #LeprosyFreeIndia.

Uttarakhand conferred 'Best State for Promotion of Aviation Ecosystem' at Wings India 2026

[Uttarakhand]

Key Updates:

• Uttarakhand received the 'Best State for Promotion of Aviation Ecosystem' award at Wings India 2026 held at Begumpet Airport.
• The award was presented by Union civil aviation minister Kinjirapu Ram Mohan Naidu and Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) secretary Sameer Kumar Sinha.
• Senior officials of Uttarakhand Civil Aviation Development Authority (UCADA) — secretary Sachin Kurve, CEO Ashish Chauhan, additional CEO Sanjay Singh Tolia, and head of operations Captain Amit Sharma — attended the ceremony.
• Chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami stated the award recognises the state's comprehensive aviation policy, administrative coordination, and focus on connecting remote mountainous regions through air services.
• Improved air connectivity in Uttarakhand boosts tourism, disaster response, and healthcare services in difficult terrains.

Odisha to develop National UAV Test and Innovation Corridor

[Odisha]

Key Updates:

• Odisha government will establish a National UAV Test and Innovation Corridor.
• The corridor is intended to create a dedicated airspace for testing unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).
• It aims to foster innovation and attract drone manufacturers to the state.

Karnataka Innovation Act to Establish Regulatory Sandbox for Emerging Technologies

[Karnataka]

Key Updates:

• The Karnataka Department of Information Technology and Biotechnology (IT/BT) is establishing a regulatory sandbox framework under the Karnataka Innovation Act to enable the testing and development of emerging technologies.
• The announcement was made at the 20th edition of the India Digital Summit (IDS) 2026, organised by the Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) in Bengaluru.
• The IDS 2026 was conducted under the theme India’s AI Moment: Leveraging the Intelligent Economy.
• The Karnataka Innovation Authority Act, 2020, provides a legal framework for the temporary relaxation of regulations to promote innovation in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and deep-tech.
• The Internet and Mobile Association of India and Kantar launched the Internet in India Report 2025, which recorded 958 million active internet users in India in 2025.
• The report highlighted an 8% year-on-year growth in internet users, driven by rural adoption, short-video consumption, e-commerce, and AI usage.

Shipbuilding Development Scheme (SDS) approved with ₹19,989 crore outlay

[Tamil Nadu (TN)]

Key Updates:

• The Union Cabinet approved the ₹19,989 crore Shipbuilding Development Scheme (SDS) to create 3-4 greenfield shipbuilding clusters, one per state.
• An equal joint venture between V O Chidambaram Port Authority and State Industries Promotion Corporation of Tamil Nadu Limited (SIPCOT) formed the first Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) named National Shipbuilding & Heavy Industries Park, Tamil Nadu (NSHIP, TN).
• The SPV will develop a mega shipbuilding cluster at Thoothukudi on 2,000 acres with a 2 km waterfront, including 1,000 acres for shipyards and 1,000 acres for ancillary industries and common facilities.
• Each cluster will target 1.2 million GT annual capacity, with at least one anchor yard of 0.5 million GT to be achieved within 10 years of commissioning.
• The scheme provides 100 per cent capital grant for eligible components of approved greenfield clusters.

Coking Coal Notified as Critical and Strategic Mineral to Cut Steel Import Dependence

Key Updates:

• The government notified coking coal as a 'Critical and Strategic Mineral' under the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957.
• The decision follows recommendations of the High-Level Committee on Implementation of Viksit Bharat Goals and policy inputs from NITI Aayog.
• India holds an estimated 37.37 billion tonnes of coking coal resources, mainly in Jharkhand, with additional reserves in Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal and Chhattisgarh.
• Coking coal imports rose from 51.20 million tonnes in 2020–21 to 57.58 million tonnes in 2024–25.
• About 95% of the steel sector’s coking coal requirement is currently met through imports.
• The amendment adds 'Coking Coal' to Part D of the First Schedule of the MMDR Act, listing it among Critical and Strategic Minerals.
• Mining of critical minerals is exempt from public consultation and allows use of degraded forest land for compensatory afforestation to encourage private sector participation.
• Royalty, auction premium and other statutory payments will continue to go to state governments under Section 11D(3) of the MMDR Act.

PAIMANA Portal Launched for Monitoring Central Sector Infrastructure Projects

[Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI)]

Key Updates:

• Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) operationalised PAIMANA (Project Assessment, Infrastructure Monitoring & Analytics for Nation-building) portal to monitor central sector infrastructure projects worth Rs 150 crore and above, replacing OCMS-2006.
• As of December 2025, 1,392 ongoing projects with a revised cost of Rs 35.10 lakh crore are reported on PAIMANA portal.
• Cumulative cost overrun for these projects is Rs 5.42 lakh crore, with revised cost at Rs 35,10,920 crore against original cost of Rs 29,68,248 crore.
• Out of 1,392 projects, 585 are 'mega' projects (Rs 1,000 crore and above) with revised cost of Rs 31.44 lakh crore, and 807 are 'major' projects (Rs 150 crore to Rs 1,000 crore) amounting to Rs 3.66 lakh crore.
• Transport & Logistics sector accounts for 896 projects with revised estimates of Rs 17.70 lakh crore.
• 469 projects have achieved over 80 percent physical progress and 221 projects have crossed 80 percent financial completion.
• PAIMANA is integrated with DPIIT's Integrated Project Monitoring Portal (IPMP/IIG-PMG), enabling automatic information sharing and reducing manual data entry with about 60 percent of projects updated automatically.

Make in India steel bridge completed for Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train project

[Gujarat]

Key Updates:

• A 100 m long 'Make in India' steel bridge has been completed over the underground metro tunnel in Ahmedabad district for the Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train project.
• This is the 13th steel bridge completed in Gujarat out of 17 planned for the project in the state.
• The bridge weighs 1098 metric tons, measures 14 m in height and 15.5 m in width, and is located parallel to the Ahmedabad Sabarmati main line of Western Railways.
• Fabricated in Wardha, Maharashtra, the bridge was assembled at 16.5 m height using about 45,186 Tor-Shear Type High Strength bolts and coated with the C5 system protective paint.

Kerala Budget 2026-27: ₹10 Crore Allocated for Project on Religious and Cultural Fraternity

[Kerala]

Key Updates:

• Kerala Finance Minister (FM) K.N. Balagopal presented the state Budget 2026-27 in the state Legislative Assembly in Thiruvananthapuram.
• The Kerala government has earmarked ₹10 crore for a project to analytically record the history of the religious and cultural fraternity of the state.
• The project aims to showcase Kerala's history of harmony to people of other lands and serve as a defence against communal division and polarisation.
• The FM stated that tariffs imposed by the United States (US) have adversely affected India and Kerala, specifically impacting the export of marine products.
• The state government expressed concern that a free-trade agreement between India and the European Economic Community (EEC) may negatively impact dairy farmers and industries.

Andhra Pradesh Signs MoU with FICCI-FLO to Establish 30-Acre Industrial Park for Women Entrepreneurs

[Andhra Pradesh, FICCI-FLO]

Key Updates:

• The Andhra Pradesh government signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry – Ladies Organisation (FICCI-FLO) to establish an exclusive industrial park for women entrepreneurs.
• The agreement involves the development of a 30-acre industrial park in Amaravati under the state policy for private industrial parks with plug-and-play industrial infrastructure (4.0) for the period 2024-29.
• The proposed park is dedicated to women entrepreneurs who are members of FICCI-FLO to promote enterprise creation, economic self-reliance, and employment generation.
• The initiative aligns with the state government plan to establish 175 Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) parks, with one situated in each assembly constituency.
• The Andhra Pradesh Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (APIIC) will facilitate land allotment, statutory approvals, and infrastructure development for the project.
• The MoU was signed by the Minister for Industries and Commerce and Food Processing, TG Bharath, and FICCI-FLO National President, Poonam Sharma.
• The budget outlay for the industrial park is not specified in the article.
• The specific launch date for the commencement of the park is not specified in the article.

India and Canada sign Joint Statement on Energy Cooperation at India Energy Week 2026 in Goa

[Canada]

Key Updates:

• India and Canada signed a Joint Statement on Energy Cooperation on the sidelines of India Energy Week 2026 in Goa.
• The Joint Statement was signed after a bilateral meeting between Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri and Canada’s Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Timothy Hodgson.
• The meeting marked the first high-level participation of a Canadian Cabinet Minister at India Energy Week.
• The renewed India–Canada Ministerial Energy Dialogue was launched during the meeting.
• Directions for the engagement were given by the Prime Ministers of India and Canada during their interaction on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in June 2025 in Kananaskis, Canada.
• Canada aims to become an energy superpower in clean and conventional energy through expanding LNG projects, increased crude oil exports via the Trans Mountain Expansion pipeline, and growing LPG exports from its west coast.
• India is the world’s third-largest oil consumer, fourth-largest LNG importer, and a major refining hub expected to account for over one-third of global energy demand growth over the next two decades.
• Both countries agreed to deepen bilateral energy trade, including Canadian LNG, LPG, and crude oil supply to India and export of refined petroleum products from India to Canada.
• Canada noted accelerated energy project approvals and India highlighted ongoing reforms and investment opportunities worth nearly USD 500 billion across the energy value chain.
• Areas identified for collaboration include renewable energy, hydrogen, biofuels, sustainable aviation fuel, battery storage, critical minerals, electricity systems, energy supply chain resilience, and artificial intelligence in the energy sector.

India Indian Air Force (IAF) completes indigenous overhaul of Pechora Surface-to-Air Missile (SAM) system

Key Updates:

• The Indian Air Force (IAF) has modernised its Soviet-era Pechora Surface-to-Air Missile (SAM) system through an indigenous overhaul led by Bengaluru-based Alpha Design Technologies Ltd (ADTL).
• The Ministry of Defence (MoD) awarded a contract worth approximately ₹591.3 crore to ADTL for the digitisation and refurbishment of the system.
• The upgrade features full digitisation of radar and tracking infrastructure, replacing legacy valve and transistor-based electronics with advanced digital chips and modern radar transmitters.
• Successful user trials of the enhanced Pechora system were conducted at the Pokhran range from November to December 2025 to validate reliability and accuracy.
• The upgraded system is integrated into Mission Sudarshan Chakra, which is India’s initiative to develop a multi-layered air defence shield against drones and fighter aircraft.
• The project forms part of the Atmanirbhar Bharat strategy, aimed at achieving self-reliance in defence production by modernising ageing military platforms.
• The overhaul includes a redesigned operator station with modern visual displays and health-monitoring tools to reduce crew workload and improve situational awareness.

Kyrgyzstan bans import of animals and animal products from India over Nipah virus risk

[Kyrgyzstan]

Key Updates:

• Kyrgyzstan has halted imports of animals and animal products from India following reports of a Nipah virus outbreak there.
• Enhanced screening for passengers arriving on international flights has been introduced at Manas International Airport in Bishkek and Osh airport.
• All arriving passengers at Manas International Airport are undergoing temperature checks using specialised screening equipment.
• The Kyrgyz Ministry of Water Resources, Agriculture and Food Processing Industry stated the import ban aims to prevent potential entry of the Nipah virus into Kyrgyzstan.

Pakistan and Bangladesh resume direct air connectivity on 29 January 2026

[Pakistan, Bangladesh]

Key Updates:

• Pakistan and Bangladesh resumed direct air connectivity on 29 January 2026 after a 14-year suspension.
• Biman Bangladesh Airlines operated the inaugural flight, BG341, from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka to Jinnah International Airport in Karachi.
• Direct flights between the two countries had been suspended since 2012, previously requiring travel via Gulf hubs such as Dubai and Doha.
• The Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA) welcomed the inaugural aircraft with a traditional water cannon salute at Karachi.
• The resumption follows diplomatic discussions between Bangladesh interim leader Muhammad Yunus and Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
• Biman Bangladesh Airlines will operate the Dhaka–Karachi route twice-weekly to promote trade, tourism, and cultural ties.
• The two nations are geographically separated by approximately 1,500 km of Indian territory.
• Bilateral cooperation also included the resumption of cargo shipping between Karachi and Chittagong in November 2024.

Taiwan completes maiden underwater sea trial of first domestically developed submarine Narwhal

[Taiwan]

Key Updates:

• Taiwan completed the maiden underwater sea trial for its first domestically developed submarine Narwhal on Thursday off Kaohsiung port.
• CSBC Corp, leading the programme to build eight submarines, announced the shallow-water submerged navigation test completion.
• The submarine programme has drawn expertise and technology from several countries, including the United States and Britain.
• The first submarine, costing T$49.36 billion ($1.58 billion), will use a Lockheed Martin Corp combat system and U.S.-made Mark 48 heavyweight torpedoes.
• Taiwan aims to deploy at least two domestically developed submarines by 2027 and may equip later models with missiles.

United States Smithsonian Museum to return three ancient bronze sculptures to India

[United States, Smithsonian Museum]

Key Updates:

• The Smithsonian’s National Museum of Asian Art (NMAA) in Washington DC announced the return of three ancient bronze sculptures to the Government of India after provenance research confirmed they were illegally removed.
• The three artefacts include a Shiva Nataraja from the Chola period (dated circa 990), a Somaskanda from the Chola period (12th century), and Saint Sundarar with Paravai from the Vijayanagar period (16th century).
• The Shiva Nataraja originally belonged to the Sri Bhava Aushadesvara Temple in Tirutturaippundi taluk of Tanjavur district, Tamil Nadu.
• The Somaskanda sculpture was identified from the Visvanatha Temple in Alattur village, Mannarkudi taluk, while the Saint Sundarar with Paravai was from the Shiva Temple in Veerasolapuram village, Kallakuruchchi taluk.
• The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) reviewed the findings and concluded that the sculptures were removed in violation of Indian law.
• The Indian government has agreed to place the Shiva Nataraja on a long-term loan to the NMAA to be displayed in the exhibition titled The Art of Knowing in South Asia, Southeast Asia, and the Himalayas.
• The provenance investigation was supported by the Photo Archives of the French Institute of Pondicherry, which provided photographic evidence of the sculptures in their original temples between 1956 and 1959.
• The NMAA is working with the Embassy of India to finalise the arrangements for the return and the loan agreement.

European Union designates Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as terrorist organisation

[European Union (EU), Iran]

Key Updates:

• The European Union (EU) foreign ministers agreed to add Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) to the bloc’s terrorist list on 29 January 2026.
• EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas announced the designation on social media platform X.
• The sanctions target the IRGC, Iranian officials, and entities responsible for internet censorship.
• The IRGC is currently led by General Mohammad Pakpour, appointed after his predecessor Hossein Salami was killed in an Israeli strike during the 12-day war in June 2025.
• Protests in Iran began on 28 December 2025 after a sharp fall in the currency value and spread nationwide.
• The US-based Human Rights Activists Network reported nearly 6,000 civilians killed in the crackdown.
• Iran’s foreign minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi criticised the EU move on social media platform X, accusing Europe of fanning the flames of conflict in the Middle East.

Indian Army and Shield AI Sign Deal for V-BAT Unmanned Aerial Systems

[Shield AI, United States]

Key Updates:

• The Indian Army signed an agreement with the United States (US) defence technology company Shield AI for the procurement of the V-BAT unmanned aerial system (UAS).
• The V-BAT is a Group 3 unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) capable of vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) without the requirement for runways or launch infrastructure.
• Powered by a heavy-fuel engine, the aircraft has an endurance of more than 12 hours and can operate in environments where Global Positioning System (GPS) signals are disrupted.
• The drones will be equipped with Hivemind, an artificial intelligence (AI) autonomy software platform that enables beyond-visual-range operations with limited human input.
• Shield AI has partnered with India-based JSW Defence to establish a manufacturing facility at EMC Maheshwaram in Hyderabad, Telangana.
• The 90 million US Dollar investment will enable large-scale production of V-BATs in India to serve the Indian Armed Forces and function as a global production hub.
• Construction of the Hyderabad manufacturing facility by JSW Defence commenced in December 2025.
• The V-BAT drones have been utilised in the Ukraine conflict to identify air defence systems, military headquarters, and drone control sites.
• In 2025, the drones executed more than 35 missions and identified over 200 Russian targets in the Ukraine warzone.
• Shield AI previously signed a deal with the Japanese Navy on 22 January 2026 for regional deterrence efforts in the Indo-Pacific.
• The company was founded in 2015 by Brandon Tseng, a former US Navy SEAL, along with Ryan Tseng and Andrew Reiter.
• Other customers of the V-BAT system include the US Coast Guard, US Marines, and several foreign militaries.
• The company's first product, an autonomous quadcopter called Nova, was used by Israeli forces in October 2023 to explore tunnel networks in the Gaza Strip.
• Shield AI has a reported valuation of 5.6 billion US Dollars as of 2025.

Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) launches Pragya-AIX unifying 26+ AI apps to boost oil and gas output

[Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC)]

Key Updates:

• Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) has gone live with Pragya-AIX, its Artificial Intelligence and Innovation Exchange.
• Pragya-AIX integrates over 26 intelligent applications into a single unified digital platform.
• The platform centralises AI solutions for seismic analytics, production optimisation, and smart field monitoring.
• Pragya-AIX aims to transform data into strategic decisions, improving safety, cost efficiency, and process optimisation across the hydrocarbon value chain.
• The deployment positions ONGC to support India’s energy security and self-reliance goals through scaled AI-driven upstream operations.

Karnataka reports death due to Kyasanur Forest Disease (KFD) in Udupi district

[Karnataka]

Key Updates:

• A 29-year-old man from Tirthahalli taluk in Karnataka died of Kyasanur Forest Disease (KFD), commonly known as monkey fever, on 28 January.
• KFD is transmitted to humans through the vector Haemaphysalis spinigera, which is a forest tick, and other infection sources include squirrels and rats.
• The infection spreads through the bite of tick nymphs or contact with sick or dead infected monkeys, but it does not transmit via human-to-human contact.
• The incidence of the fever usually begins in October or November and reaches its peak between January and April.
• Clinical symptoms of KFD include chills, pounding headache, bleeding from the nose, throat, and gums, low blood pressure, and decreased platelet and blood counts.
• Neurological symptoms associated with the infection include nausea, vomiting, muscle stiffness, mental disorder, tremors, poor vision, severe headache, and poor reflexes.
• The case fatality rate for KFD ranges from 2% to 10% depending on early detection and access to healthcare.
• There is no specific treatment for the disease, and management involves supportive care such as intravenous fluid therapy to replace lost fluids and control haemorrhagic bleeding.

Vishwamitri River hosts 442 mugger crocodiles amid 2-million-plus Vadodara city.

Key Updates:

• The Vishwamitri River flows 21 km through Vadodara city, Gujarat, and holds 442 mugger crocodiles according to a 2025 GEER Foundation census.
• The river originates from the Pavagadh Hills and travels nearly 200 km westward before emptying into the Gulf of Khambhat in the Arabian Sea.
• Major tributaries feeding the river are the Surya, Jambuva and Bhukhi rivers, boosting flow mainly in monsoon months.
• Between Kala Ghoda and Akota Bridge, crocodile density reaches about 44 individuals in just 1.4 km of urban river stretch.
• Monsoon flooding pushes crocodiles onto public roads, residential compounds and even under parked vehicles, causing frequent human-crocodile encounters.
• Pollution discourages human river activities, while fish, stray dogs and pigs provide prey, aiding crocodile survival inside the city.
• The Vishwamitri Riverfront Development Project and the Vaho Vishwamitri Abhiyan aim to clean the river and restore its ecology using drone-supported plantations.

Rare Jumping Spider Colyttus bilineatus Recorded for the First Time in India

Key Updates:

• Researchers from Assam University, Silchar, have recorded the rare jumping spider species Colyttus bilineatus for the first time in India.
• The species was documented at Loharbond, located within the Inner Line Reserved Forest in the Cachar district of Assam.
• The Inner Line Reserved Forest, where the discovery occurred, shares borders with the states of Mizoram and Manipur.
• This discovery adds to the biodiversity list of India and highlights the scientific significance of the forests in southern Assam.

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Reschedules Artemis II Moon Mission Launch

[National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)]

Key Updates:

• The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) delayed the Artemis II moon mission launch to no earlier than 8 February 2026, following a delay in the fueling test due to a cold snap in Florida.
• The mission will utilise the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket to transport a four-member crew on a nine-day flight around the moon and back.
• The Artemis II crew consists of Commander Reid Wiseman, pilot Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen.
• NASA is preparing the Crew 12 mission to the International Space Station (ISS) using a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket to replace the Crew 11 team that returned on 15 January.
• The Crew 12 mission includes Commander Jessica Meir, pilot Jack Hathaway, European Space Agency (ESA) astronaut Sophie Adenot, and cosmonaut Andrey Fedaev.
• During the wet dress rehearsal at Launch Complex 39B of the Kennedy Space Center, the SLS rocket will be loaded with over 750,000 gallons of supercold hydrogen and liquid oxygen (LOX).
• The Artemis II flight represents the first crewed lunar mission in 54 years and serves as a precursor to a planned landing near the moon south pole in 2028.
• Launch Director Charlie Blackwell-Thompson confirmed that the Artemis II vehicle incorporates upgrades based on data learned from the unpiloted Artemis I test flight in 2022.

X-class solar flare triggers severe G4 geomagnetic storm and red aurora over Hanle, Ladakh

[Ladakh]

Key Updates:

• An X-class solar flare erupted on 18 January 2026, launching a Coronal Mass Ejection that hit Earth in about 25 hours and produced a G4-level severe geomagnetic storm.
• The storm generated an S4-level solar radiation event, the most intense since 2003, and forced astronauts on the International Space Station to shelter in shielded areas.
• Indian Astronomical Observatory’s all-sky camera at Hanle, Ladakh, inside the Hanle Dark Sky Reserve, recorded the resulting red aurora on 19 and 20 January 2026.
• ISRO’s Aditya-L1 spacecraft, stationed at the L1 Lagrange point 1.5 million km from Earth, provided early warning of the Coronal Mass Ejection.
• During the storm, Earth’s magnetosphere was compressed so much that geostationary satellites were briefly exposed to direct solar wind, risking communication, GPS and banking services.

China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) to develop space-based AI data centres

[China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC), China]

Key Updates:

• China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) announced plans to construct gigawatt-class space digital-intelligence infrastructure over the next five years.
• The project aims to create an industrial-scale Space Cloud by 2030 by integrating space-based solar power with artificial intelligence (AI) computing.
• The initiative is identified as a core pillar of China's 15th Five Year Plan, which serves as the national economic development roadmap.
• The space data centres will integrate cloud, edge, and terminal device capabilities to enable data from Earth to be processed directly in orbit.
• SpaceX plans to launch solar-powered AI data centre satellites within the next two to three years, utilizing orbital solar panels that produce five times more power than terrestrial ones.
• China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) aims to commence flight operations for suborbital space tourism and develop orbital space tourism within five years.
• The Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) inaugurated the School of Interstellar Navigation to focus on frontier fields including interstellar propulsion and deep space navigation.
• China achieved a record 93 space launches last year as part of its strategic goal to become a world-leading space power by 2045.
• India link not mentioned in the article.

Jude Owens becomes youngest Guinness World Records holder for two snooker trick shots

[Guinness World Records]

Key Updates:

• Jude Owens, aged 2 years and 302 days, set a Guinness World Record for the youngest person to perform a pool bank shot on 12 October 2025.
• At 2 years and 261 days old, he also became the youngest to complete a snooker double pot.
• The toddler from Manchester is now officially the youngest person ever to perform both trick shots and one of the youngest double record holders in Guinness World Records history.
• Jude's father, Luke Owens, first noticed his natural ability at home where snooker quickly became the toddler's favourite hobby.

Martyrs' Day observed on January 30 to commemorate Mahatma Gandhi's assassination

Key Updates:

• Martyrs' Day is observed every year on January 30 to commemorate the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi in 1948.
• Mahatma Gandhi survived at least five documented assassination attempts before January 30, 8.
• The first recorded attempt was in 1934 in Pune when a bomb exploded near Gandhi’s car.
• In 1944, dagger attacks were made on Gandhi during prayer meetings in Panchgani and Sevagram involving Nathuram Godse and his associates.
• On January 20, 1948, Madanlal Pahwa detonated a bomb at Gandhi’s prayer meeting at Birla House, Delhi, but Gandhi remained unharmed.
• Mahatma Gandhi was assassinated by Nathuram Godse, a member of the Hindu Mahasabha, on January 30, 1948, at Birla House in New Delhi.
• Godse and Narayan Apte were executed on November 15, 1949, after trial; other conspirators received prison sentences.
• Shaheed Diwas 2026 is being observed across India with prayer meetings, a two-minute silence at 11:00 AM, and tributes at Raj Ghat.

World Neglected Tropical Diseases Day observed on 30 January

[World Neglected Tropical Diseases Day]

Key Updates:

• World Health Organisation (WHO) designated 30 January as World Neglected Tropical Diseases Day at the 74th World Health Assembly on 31 May 2021.
• The date commemorates the adoption of the London Declaration on NTDs on 30 January 2012.
• WHO’s 2030 targets include 90% reduction in people needing treatment for NTDs and 75% reduction in years of life lost due to NTDs.
• By 1 January 2026, 58 countries had eradicated at least one NTD.
• Global financial aid for NTDs fell by 41% between 2018 and 2023.
• USAID’s dismantling and the United States withdrawal from WHO have suspended 47 treatment campaigns affecting 143 million people worldwide.
• ANRS MIE, responsible for monitoring emerging infectious diseases, prioritises dengue and chikungunya under its Emergence epidemic response system.
• ANRS MIE funds projects including LSDengue, ARBOGEN, DENGAGE, DENGAFRICA, and LEISHNEW targeting dengue, chikungunya, and leishmaniasis.
• ANRS MIE co-directs Global Health EDCTP3 and serves as one of nine international coordination centres for the STRIVE network linking over 300 clinical trials in 40 countries.