जनवरी 2026 करंट अफेयर्स

Supreme Court stays its Aravallis judgment

The Supreme Court stayed its own earlier judgment relating to mining and construction in the Aravalli range, sparking a conservation vs development debate.

India as the world's fourth largest economy

India became the world's fourth largest economy, overtaking Japan, and is on track to become the third largest by 2027-28.

Pralay Missile

India's Pralay missile, an indigenous short-range tactical ballistic missile, was in the news regarding its induction into the armed forces.

Year-End Review 2025: Ministry of Home Affairs

The MHA's Year-End Review 2025 highlighted progress in internal security, cybersecurity, border management and disaster response.

Year End Review 2025: Ministry of MSME

The Ministry of MSME's Year End Review 2025 highlighted progress in Udyam registration, credit access and job creation.

India's mega rail projects

India's mega rail projects — bullet train, dedicated freight corridors, Vande Bharat and station redevelopment — were in the news for economic growth.

India-Maldives Infrastructure Cooperation

India and the Maldives strengthened infrastructure cooperation — connectivity, housing and development projects — reflecting the 'Neighbourhood First' policy.

PM Surya Ghar Yojana: Rajasthan Fifth in the Country

Under the PM Surya Ghar Yojana, 1,23,701 rooftop solar plants were installed in Rajasthan by December 2025, placing the state fifth nationally. The goal is to connect 5 lakh homes to solar energy in Rajasthan by 2027.

263rd Sawai Madhopur Foundation Day: Country's First Guava Festival

On the 263rd Sawai Madhopur Foundation Day (18-19 January 2026), the country's first Guava Festival and Advanced Agricultural Technology Fair was held at Dussehra Grounds, inaugurated by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla. It aims to globally promote Sawai Madhopur's guava under the 'One District One Product' (ODOP) initiative. A Guava Processing Plant and Centre of Excellence will be set up at Rs. 150 crore. Sawai Madhopur was founded by Sawai Madho Singh I on 19 January 1763.

2nd Global Buddhist Summit (GBS)

Organized by the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC) with the Ministry of Culture, the summit was inaugurated by PM Narendra Modi. Theme: 'Collective Wisdom, United Voice, and Mutual Coexistence'. An AI dialogue model (NORBU) named 'Kalyan Mitra' was showcased.

Kamya Karthikeyan: youngest Indian to ski to South Pole

Kamya Karthikeyan became the youngest Indian and second-youngest woman to ski to the South Pole, covering about 115 km from 89° South latitude. She is aiming to complete the 'Explorers Grand Slam'.

Durga Drone Squadron (BSF)

The Durga Drone Squadron is the BSF's first women drone-operating unit. Training was provided at the Drone Warfare School (DWS), Gwalior (BSF Academy). It aims to train female personnel in advanced aerial surveillance on sensitive western and eastern borders.

Haryana Village Common Lands (Regulation) Act, 1961

The Haryana Village Common Lands (Regulation) Act 1961, governing shamlat deh (village common land), was in the news amid judicial review.

Amazonian stingless bees - world's first insects with legal rights

Amazonian stingless bees became the world's first insects to be granted legal rights, reflecting the 'rights of nature' movement.

Bulgaria 21st member of the Eurozone

Bulgaria became the 21st member of the Eurozone, adopting the euro as its official currency.

National Investigation Agency (NIA)

The National Investigation Agency (NIA), India's premier counter-terror investigation agency, was in the news regarding its role and powers.

Climate-resilient agriculture in India

Climate-resilient agriculture in India — adapting crops, techniques and varieties against climate change — was in the news amid food security concerns.

BEE Standards and Labelling Programme

The Bureau of Energy Efficiency's (BEE) Standards and Labelling (S&L) Programme, which provides star ratings on appliances, was in the news for energy conservation.

The Repealing and Amending Act, 2025

The Repealing and Amending Act 2025, which removes obsolete and redundant laws, was in the news.

Government notifies Market Access Guidelines under EPM

The government notified Market Access Guidelines under the Export Promotion Mission (EPM) to help MSME exporters reach new markets.

Two Rare Phenomena Recorded at Keoladeo Ghana Bird National Park, Bharatpur

The rare insectivorous plant 'Utricularia' (Bladderwort) was spotted in the 'L', 'K' and 'B' blocks of Keoladeo Ghana Park, Bharatpur. Also, the 'Common Shelduck' from Europe returned after a 10-year gap, having travelled about 4,000 km.

32nd International Camel Festival: Bikaner

The Rajasthan Tourism Department and Bikaner District Administration held the 32nd International Camel Festival in Bikaner on 9-11 January 2026. Winners: Miss Marwan - Ankita Suthar; Mr. Bikaner - Lakhan Parik; Dhola Marwan - Kishore Kalla and Swati Kalla.

PM SVANidhi Credit Card Scheme launched

The PM launched the PM Street Vendor Atmanirbhar Nidhi (PM SVANidhi) Credit Card Scheme in Thiruvananthapuram. It is a credit card directly linked to UPI offering an interest-free revolving loan facility. Eligible vendors who repaid the second installment can withdraw up to Rs 30,000.

ECINet: ECI's integrated digital platform

The Election Commission of India launched ECINet at IICDEM-2026, a one-stop digital platform for all election information and services. Built by integrating over 40 ECI apps and portals, it is the world's largest electoral services platform offering voter registration, electoral roll search, and e-EPIC download.

SCOPR Robot and ASC Arjun Humanoid

SCOPR (Smart Companion for Operation and Reconnaissance Platform) is India's first legged mobile manipulator robot, developed by xTerra Robotics with IIT Kanpur. Indian Railways deployed the humanoid robot 'ASC Arjun' at Visakhapatnam station to assist the RPF.

UPI — Record 10 Billion Monthly Transactions

UPI set record 10 billion monthly transactions in December 2025 worth Rs 15 lakh crore.

Report on Trend and Progress of Banking in India 2024-25

The RBI's 'Report on Trend and Progress of Banking in India 2024-25' analysed banks' health, NPAs, credit growth and profitability.

Galaxy Frogs

A study reported that seven rare Galaxy Frogs disappeared and are presumed dead, with unethical wildlife photography and photo tourism in the Western Ghats as key causes.

NATGRID-NPR Integration

A proposal to integrate the National Intelligence Grid (NATGRID) with National Population Register (NPR) data, in the context of security and privacy, was in the news.

Birth Anniversary of Mannathu Padmanabhan

The birth anniversary of Mannathu Padmanabhan, a prominent social reformer of Kerala and founder of the Nair Service Society, was observed.

Department of Rural Development: Year Ender 2025

The Department of Rural Development's Year Ender 2025 highlighted progress in MGNREGA, PMAY-G, PMGSY and the livelihoods mission.

Adult Skill Assessment Survey, 2026

The Adult Skill Assessment Survey 2026, assessing the skills and employability of the adult population, was in the news.

Quadrilateral Security Dialogue

The Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad) — a grouping of India, the US, Japan and Australia — was in the news regarding Indo-Pacific cooperation.

Khejadli Kalan, Jodhpur: State's 40th Conservation Reserve

Khejadli Kalan village in Luni tehsil, Jodhpur, was declared the state's 40th conservation reserve. Spread over about 1.5 sq km, it will be a protected habitat for the state animal, the chinkara, notified under Section 36A of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.

PM Vishwakarma Yojana: Rajasthan Second in Loan Disbursement

As of 1 January 2026, Rajasthan ranked second in the country in loan sanction and disbursement under the PM Vishwakarma Yojana. Loans worth Rs. 466.70 crore were disbursed to 53,552 beneficiaries. The state's average loan of Rs. 87,000 exceeds the national average (Rs. 83,000). Rajasthan ranks third in training and toolkits and first in certain trades like goldsmiths, potters and sculptors.

78th Indian Army Day: Rajasthan

On 15 January 2026, Indian Army Day was celebrated for the first time outside the main cantonment, in Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan. Posthumous Sena Medals (Gallantry) were awarded for bravery in Operation Sindoor at the Army Day Parade. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh virtually inaugurated the 100th Naman Centre under Project Naman in Suratgarh, Sri Ganganagar.

ISRO's EOS-01 Mission fails

ISRO's EOS-01 mission failed due to a malfunction in the PS3 stage of the PSLV rocket. EOS-01 is an Earth observation satellite used for agriculture, forestry and disaster management. The launch vehicle was PSLV-C62, launched from Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota.

9th Senior National Boxing Championship

Organized by the Boxing Federation of India (BFI), this first-ever combined (men and women) championship was held at Gautam Buddha University, Greater Noida, with 600 boxers across 10 weight categories. Top winners included Lovlina Borgohain and Nikhat Zareen.

Shergarh Sanctuary, Baran: World's Smallest Wild Cat Spotted

The world's smallest, extremely rare and very shy wild cat was recorded at Shergarh Sanctuary, Baran. Its scientific name is Prionailurus rubiginosus. Like the tiger it has the highest protection under Schedule 1 of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, and is 'Near Threatened' on the IUCN Red List.

Aadhaar Mascot 'Uday' and New Aadhaar App

UIDAI Chairman Nilakanta Mishra unveiled the mascot 'Uday' in Thiruvananthapuram to explain Aadhaar services simply. The new Aadhaar app allows managing up to five Aadhaar profiles on one device ('one family, one app').

India's Power Transmission Network exceeds 5 lakh ckm

The world's largest synchronous national grid achieved this on 14 January 2026 when a 628-km 765 kV transmission line from Bhadla-II to Sikar-II substation was commissioned to evacuate renewable energy from Rajasthan. The network has grown 71.6% since April 2014.

EU's first carbon tax (CBAM)

The EU implemented the world's first carbon tax, the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), on high-carbon imported goods such as steel, aluminium, cement and fertilizers, effective 1 January 2026.

2nd Khelo India Beach Games (KIBG) 2026

The 2nd Khelo India Beach Games were held at Ghoghla Beach, Diu, with the mascot 'Pearl' (the Dolphin) and 8 sports disciplines. Karnataka topped with 11 medals; Rajasthan was 10th (5 medals), winning gold in men's and women's beach kabaddi.

Climate — COP30 to be Held in Belem, Brazil

COP30 in Belem, Brazil November 2026. India firm on Net Zero 2070.

Rajasthan Budget 2026-27 Focus on Agriculture and Education

Rajasthan presented Rs 3.5 lakh crore budget with highest allocation to agriculture and education.

Sunrise Festival 2025-26

Arunachal Pradesh celebrated the inaugural Sunrise Festival 2025-26 at Dong village in Anjaw district, the easternmost point where sunrise first touches Indian territory.

Ayushman Bharat

Ayushman Bharat, India's flagship health scheme, was in the news regarding its achievements and expansion.

10 Years of the Paris Agreement

The Paris Agreement (2015) completed 10 years; a review of its achievements, shortfalls and climate ambition was in the news.

Rani Velu Nachiyar

The birth anniversary of Rani Velu Nachiyar, one of the first Indian queens to fight against British rule, was celebrated.

Suryastra Rocket Launcher

The Indian Army signed an emergency procurement contract with NIBE Limited for the indigenous Suryastra long-range rocket launcher.

Year-End Review 2025: MoEFCC

The MoEFCC's Year-End Review 2025 highlighted progress in wildlife conservation, forest cover and climate action.

Aarti Dogra Honoured with All India Discoms Association Annual Award

Aarti Dogra, CMD of Jaipur Discom, was honoured in the 'Agriculture Feeder Solarization' category at the All India Discoms Association Annual Award by Union Energy Minister Manohar Lal Khattar. Jaipur Discom commissioned 899 projects of 2300 MW under the PM KUSUM Yojana (Component-C) and connected about 1.02 lakh agricultural consumers to solar power.

50th meeting of the PRAGATI Platform

PRAGATI (Pro-Active Governance and Timely Implementation) is a three-tier system launched in 2015. This meeting reviewed five infrastructure projects costing over Rs 40,000 crore. Over a decade, projects worth over Rs 85 lakh crore have been accelerated through this platform.

Shubhanshu Shukla awarded Ashoka Chakra

President Droupadi Murmu awarded Indian Air Force Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla the Ashoka Chakra, the country's highest peacetime gallantry award, for exceptional courage and devotion to duty during the Axiom-4 mission to the International Space Station.

17th Trilateral Exercise 'Dosti'

The 17th trilateral exercise 'Dosti' was held in Malé, Maldives. The Indian Coast Guard, Sri Lanka Coast Guard and Maldives National Defence Force participated.

6th Khelo India Winter Games 2026

The 6th Khelo India Winter Games were held in Leh (Ladakh) and Gulmarg (J&K). The mascot was 'Sheen-E-She' (Shan) - the Snow Leopard. Over 1,200 participants from 21 States/UTs took part. Haryana topped the medal tally.

Somnath Swabhiman Parv

The Somnath Swabhiman Parv, celebrating the reconstruction and cultural heritage of Gujarat's Somnath Temple, was in the news.

US intervention in Venezuela and the revival of the Monroe Doctrine

US intervention in Venezuela revived debate on the Monroe Doctrine — opposing external powers' interference in the Western Hemisphere.

Rabies as a notifiable disease

India declared rabies a notifiable disease, mandating case reporting and supporting elimination by 2030.

Green Paradox in urban greening

The 'Green Paradox' in urban greening — planting exotic/ornamental species harming native biodiversity and ecology — was in the news.

China's people-centred global governance initiatives

China's people-centred global governance initiatives — the Global Development, Security and Civilization Initiatives (GDI, GSI, GCI) — were in the news.

Govt lifts import curbs on low ash metallurgical coke

The government lifted import curbs (quantitative limits) on low ash metallurgical coke (met coke) to meet steel industry demand.

Achieving sustainability in rice production

Sustainability in rice production — water use, methane emissions and resource efficiency — was in the news amid food security and climate concerns.

Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary Declared an Eco-Sensitive Zone

A January 2026 notification declared the area up to 0-1 km from the boundary of Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary an Eco-Sensitive Zone. The affected area is 243 sq km covering 94 villages. The sanctuary spans 610 sq km across Rajsamand, Pali and Udaipur. Stone crushing, mining, brick kilns, polluting industries and new windmills are prohibited.

Export Preparedness Index (EPI) 4.0 - 2024

Released by NITI Aayog, the framework rests on 4 main pillars. Among large states, Maharashtra (68.01) topped, followed by Tamil Nadu and Gujarat. Uttarakhand topped small states/UTs. Rajasthan ranked 17th overall (score 47.31).

Rs 5,000 crore equity support for SIDBI

The Union Cabinet chaired by the PM approved Rs 5,000 crore equity capital for SIDBI in three tranches. SIDBI was established in 1990; headquartered in Lucknow. It is the principal institution for MSME financing.

Successful test of Pralay Missile

DRDO successfully tested two Pralay missiles in quick succession at the Integrated Test Range, Chandipur (Odisha). It is a surface-to-surface semi-ballistic missile developed by Research Centre Imarat, Hyderabad. Range is 150-500 km with a 500-1000 kg warhead capacity.

Aaryan Varshney: India's 92nd Chess Grandmaster

Aaryan Varshney became India's 92nd chess Grandmaster, achieving the title by winning the Andranik Margaryan Memorial tournament in Armenia.

Wolf Supermoon

The Wolf Supermoon — January's full moon appearing larger and brighter due to being close to Earth — was in the news.

ICGS Samudra Pratap

The Indian Coast Guard Ship (ICGS) Samudra Pratap, a pollution control vessel, was in the news in the context of marine environment protection.

Popocatépetl Volcano

Mexico's Popocatépetl Volcano, an active volcano, was in the news due to increased activity.

Year End Review 2025: Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs

The Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs' Year End Review 2025 highlighted Parliament's productivity, bills and legislative business.

Design Linked Incentive (DLI) Scheme

The Design Linked Incentive (DLI) Scheme, which incentivises domestic companies and startups in semiconductor chip design, was in the news.

India's Braille ecosystem

India's Braille ecosystem — Braille materials, education and accessibility for the visually impaired — was in the news around World Braille Day.

Acid attacks in India

Acid attacks in India, in the context of victims' rights, compensation and regulation of acid sale, were in the news.

Prerana Abhiyaan 2.0: Maternal and Child Health

The ICDS Directorate will conduct Prerana Abhiyaan 2.0 statewide from 19 January to 19 February 2026. It aims to register 100% of pregnant women, children aged 0-6 and adolescent girls in aspirational districts and link them to health and nutrition services, connecting eligible persons to PMMVY, Chief Minister Maternity Nutrition and the 'Amrit Aahar' scheme.

State-Level Police Conference 2026

The State-Level Police Conference was held at the Rajasthan Police Academy, Jaipur, on 8-9 January 2026, inaugurated by CM Bhajan Lal Sharma on the theme 'Policing in a Developed India'. An e-Visitors Portal, e-Zero FIR and the Rajasthan Police Priorities-2026 booklet were launched. Compared to 2023, crimes fell 15%, murders 25% and robberies 50%. Ratan Nagar police station in Churu was named the 'Best Police Station in Rajasthan'.

Maru Mahotsav-2026: Jaisalmer

The Maru Mahotsav-2026 was held at Pokhran, Sam, Lakhmana and Khuhri (Jaisalmer) on 30 January-1 February 2026. Winners: Turban Tying - Bhomsingh Jodha (Phalsund); Mr. Pokhran - Manish Sen; Miss Pokhran - Varsha Bhati; Miss Moomal - Kusum Panwar (Bikaner); Mr. Desert - Manish Panwar (Jaisalmer).

Export Promotion Mission (EPM) & Market Access Support (MAS)

The Export Promotion Mission (EPM) was approved by the Union Cabinet on 12 November 2025 with a total outlay of Rs 25,060 crore, implemented by DGFT. The Market Access Support (MAS) initiative was launched under its 'Niryat Disha' sub-scheme. At least 35% MSME participation is mandatory in supported programs.

86th All India Presiding Officers Conference (AIPOC)

The 86th All India Presiding Officers Conference was held at the UP Legislative Assembly, Lucknow, inaugurated by Governor Anandiben Patel. Theme: 'Strong Legislature - Prosperous Nation'. Six resolutions were passed, including creation of a National Legislative Index.

IndiaAI Mission — Rs 10,372 Crore Approved

Cabinet approved IndiaAI Mission worth Rs 10,372 crore with 7 pillars.

ISRO Second Autonomous Landing of RLV-TD

ISRO completed second autonomous landing of Reusable Launch Vehicle Technology Demonstrator.

Ayush Export Promotion Council

The government established an Ayush Export Promotion Council to boost the export of Ayush products.

Gross Domestic Product and Net Domestic Product

The concepts of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and Net Domestic Product (NDP), in the context of national income accounting, were in the news.

Indian Railways' electrification drive

Issues around Indian Railways' electrification drive — full electrification of the broad-gauge network and the net-zero target — were in the news.

NITI Aayog on internationalisation of higher education in India

NITI Aayog released a report on the internationalisation of higher education in India — foreign universities, student mobility and 'Study in India'.

Akash-NG Missile

DRDO successfully tested the Akash-NG (New Generation) surface-to-air missile, strengthening India's air defence.

Mpemba Effect

The Mpemba Effect — hot water freezing faster than cold water under certain conditions — was in the news amid scientific interest.

BIS Foundation Day 2026

The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) marked its Foundation Day; it is India's national standards body.

'Fenke Nahi, Hame De' Campaign

The Child Welfare Committee launched the 'Fenke Nahi, Hame De' campaign in Bikaner on 27 January 2026; its poster was released on 21 January by Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal. It spreads awareness about handing newborns to 'cradle homes' or government shelters instead of abandoning them in unsafe places.

State-Level Youth Festival 2026

The State-Level Youth Festival was held at SMS Stadium, Jaipur, on 7-12 January 2026. On the lines of the National Youth Icon Award, the 'Rajasthan Youth Icon Award' was presented to talented youth aged 15-29, including Yash Vyas (Banswara), Kuldeep Verma (Jaipur), Naresh Kumar Meena and Hiralal Mahawar (Dausa).

Pro Wrestling League (PWL) 2026 (Season 5)

Held at the Noida Indoor Stadium, the Pro Wrestling League returned for its fifth season after a seven-year hiatus. Champion was Haryana Thunders and runner-up Delhi Dangal Warriors.

Anahat Singh: silver at British Junior Open Squash

At the British Junior Open Squash Championships in Birmingham, India's Anahat Singh won silver, while gold went to France's Lauren Baltayan.

Man-Portable Anti-Tank Guided Missile (MP-ATGM) test

DRDO's third-generation Man-Portable Anti-Tank Guided Missile (MP-ATGM) was successfully flight-tested at the KK Range, Ahilya Nagar, Maharashtra. It uses 'fire and forget' technology with an Imaging Infrared (IIR) homing seeker.

India-USA Strategic Partnership — iCET Progress

Progress in India-USA iCET (Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies).

Year-End Review 2025: Department of Justice

The Department of Justice's Year-End Review 2025 highlighted progress in judicial infrastructure, e-Courts and access to justice.

White-bellied Heron and Kalai-II Project

The environmental clearance for the 1,200-MW Kalai-II hydropower project on the Lohit River (Arunachal Pradesh) raised concerns over EIA omissions, especially regarding the endangered White-bellied Heron.

BHASHINI's Shrutlekh multilingual translation tool

BHASHINI introduced Shrutlekh, a multilingual translation tool providing real-time translation and transcription in Indian languages.

Spina Bifida

Spina Bifida, a congenital neural tube defect, was in the news regarding its causes, prevention (folic acid) and treatment.

e-B-4 Business Visa for Chinese nationals

India introduced an e-Production Investment Business Visa (e-B-4) for Chinese nationals, allowing fully online travel for production- and investment-related business without embassy visits.

Turkman Gate

Delhi's Turkman Gate, a historic Mughal-era gate, was in the news.

Remote Sensing and India's IRS Programme

Remote sensing technology and India's Indian Remote Sensing (IRS) satellite programme, in the context of resource management and monitoring, were in the news.

Avian Flu

Avian Influenza (bird flu), a highly contagious viral bird disease, was in the news amid outbreaks and alerts.

Rajasthan Aerospace and Defence Policy: 2025

The Rajasthan Cabinet approved the Aerospace and Defence Policy 2025 on 21 January 2026 to make the state a global hub for aerospace and defence manufacturing. Target sectors: aerospace component manufacturing, precision engineering and MRO. It offers investment subsidy of up to 75% reimbursement of state taxes for 7 years, capital subsidy, and employment/sunrise/anchor/thrust boosters.

Mukhyamantri Yuva Swarozgar Yojana

CM Bhajan Lal Sharma launched the Mukhyamantri Yuva Swarozgar Yojana on 12 January 2026 at the State-Level Youth Festival closing. It aims to make 1 lakh youth self-employed micro-entrepreneurs. It provides interest-free loans up to Rs. 10 lakh in manufacturing, service and trading, with margin money and CGTMSE reimbursement. Eligibility: residents aged 18-45. Valid till 31 March 2029; run by the Industries and Commerce Department.

Subhash Chandra Bose Disaster Management Award 2026

In the individual category, Lieutenant Colonel Sita Ashok Shelke (Indian Army) was honored for leading large-scale humanitarian relief during the 2024 Wayanad floods and landslides. The Sikkim State Disaster Management Authority won the institutional category.

FIFA World Cup 2026 Trophy Tour

Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, with Brazilian footballer Gilberto D'silva, unveiled the trophy beginning a three-day India tour. FIFA World Cup 2026 will be hosted by the USA, Canada and Mexico, featuring 48 teams for the first time in 12 groups of four.

Key appointments of January 2026

January 2026 saw several key appointments: Praveen Kumar (DG, BSF), Shatrujit Singh Kapoor (DG, ITBP), Rakesh Agarwal (additional charge DG, NIA), A.K. Balasubramanian (Chairman, AERB) and Sunetra Pawar (Maharashtra's first woman Deputy CM).

Rajasthan New Industrial Policy 2025

Rajasthan new industrial policy targets Rs 5 lakh crore investment by 2030.

Rajasthan Hosts International Desert Festival 2026

International Desert Festival 2026 in Jaisalmer saw tourists from 30 countries.

Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act 1967

The Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act 1967 (UAPA), the key anti-terror law, was in the news regarding its provisions and bail standards.

W Ursae Majoris and stellar evolution

W Ursae Majoris, a contact binary star, was in the news in the context of understanding stellar evolution.

Winter migratory birds in Assam

The arrival of winter migratory birds in Assam's wetlands, in the context of biodiversity and wetland conservation, was in the news.

Transgender welfare in India

Issues around transgender welfare in India — education, employment, health and social inclusion — were in the news.

Childhood hypertension

Rising hypertension in children — linked to obesity, sedentary lifestyles and diet — was in the news as a public health concern.

FDI trends in India

Trends in Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in India — sectors, sources and policy reforms — were in the news in the context of economic growth.

Madhav Gadgil and the WGEEP

Eminent ecologist Madhav Gadgil and the Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel (WGEEP) report he led, in the context of Western Ghats conservation, were in the news.

Rajasthan AI-ML Policy: 2026

The Rajasthan Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Policy 2026 was announced in the 2025-26 Budget, approved by the Cabinet on 30 December 2025, and officially launched by the CM on 6 January 2026 at the Regional AI Impact Conference in Jaipur. It aims to make Rajasthan an AI hub under the Digital India Mission, with an AI nodal officer in every department and an AI Centre of Excellence in the state.

Nagauri Ashwagandha: GI Tag

Nagauri Ashwagandha was granted the GI tag on 8 January 2026 by the GI Registry under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, registered in the name of the 'Nagauri Welfare Society'. After Sojat (Pali) Mehndi, it is the state's second GI product in the 'Agriculture Category', taking Rajasthan's total GI products to 22. Ashwagandha's scientific name is Withania somnifera, also called 'Indian Ginseng'.

India's Forex Reserves at Record High

Per RBI data released on 23 January, India's forex reserves rose by $8.053 billion to an all-time high of $709.413 billion. The previous high was $704.89 billion in September 2024.

Sunita Williams retires from NASA

Indian-origin astronaut Sunita Williams retired from NASA after a 27-year career. She was the first astronaut to run a marathon in space. She received the NASA Space Flight Medal and Padma Bhushan (2008). Her father Deepak Pandya was from Jhulasan, Mehsana, Gujarat.

Ashes Series 2025-26

Australia won the Ashes Series 2025-26 by 4-1, held in Australia. Player of the Series was Mitchell Starc. The Ashes is a Test cricket series played biennially between England and Australia since 1882.

Jal Jeevan Mission in Rajasthan — 95% Connections

Jal Jeevan Mission provides tap connections to 95% homes in Rajasthan.

Key Decisions of the Rajasthan Cabinet (21 January 2026)

At its 21 January 2026 meeting, the Cabinet amended the Rajasthan Civil Services (Conduct) Rules, 1971, to include the child definition (female under 18, male under 21) in line with the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006. The RPSC titles 'Deputy Secretary (Examinations)' and 'Controller of Examinations' were merged into simply 'Deputy Secretary'. Under GRAM 2026, 2,839 Village Upliftment Camps will be held statewide, inaugurated on 23 January (Basant Panchami).

Tata Steel Chess India Tournament 2026

The Tata Steel Chess India Tournament 2026 was held in Kolkata. Nihal Sarin (India) won the Open Rapid with Viswanathan Anand as runner-up. Wesley So (USA) won the Open Blitz.

France: social media ban for under-15s

France approved a bill to ban social media platforms (TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat) for children under 15, effective from the September 2026 academic year. The aim is to protect children's mental health and prevent cyberbullying.

Asia Manufacturing Index 2026

In the Asia Manufacturing Index 2026 by Dezan Shira & Associates (Hong Kong), India ranked 6th of 11 major Asian manufacturing economies. China topped, followed by Malaysia and Vietnam.

DRDO Hypersonic Missile Test Successful

DRDO successfully tested hypersonic missile at Mach 6+. India becomes 4th country.

PM Awas Yojana-Gramin Extended with 3 Crore New Houses

Centre approved construction of 3 crore new houses under PM Awas Yojana-Gramin.

Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD)

9 January is observed as Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, recognising the contribution of the Indian diaspora to India's development.

National Youth Day 2026

12 January is observed as National Youth Day, the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda, dedicated to youth power.

Census 2027

Preparations for India's Census 2027 — which will be digital and include caste enumeration — were in the news.

Bal Vivah Mukt Bharat Abhiyan

The Bal Vivah Mukt Bharat Abhiyan, which strengthens awareness and legal enforcement to free India of child marriage, was in the news.

Catastrophe Bonds

Catastrophe bonds (cat bonds) — an instrument for disaster risk financing — were in the news in the context of India's disaster management strategy.

India's tourism infrastructure initiatives

India's tourism infrastructure initiatives — Swadesh Darshan, PRASAD and destination development — were in the news for jobs and economic growth.

Nanorobots in healthcare

Applications of nanorobots in healthcare — tiny robots for targeted drug delivery, surgery and disease detection — were in the news.

Petrodollar System

The petrodollar system — global oil trade denominated in US dollars — was in the news amid the de-dollarization debate.

Asteroid (2021 DB5) Named PRAMISHKA

Asteroid (2021 DB5) was named PRAMISHKA in memory of seven children — Payal, Priyanka, Meena, Harish, Kundan, Kanha, Satish — who died in the government school building collapse at Piplodi, Jhalawar. The discovery was made by a student team from a government school in Unhel under Dr. Dibyendu Sen, via the IASC-NASA Asteroid Search Mission, and recognised by NASA.

Rajasthan: An Effective Cyber Security Model and R4C

In 2025, Rajasthan ranked 5th in the country in combating cybercrime and preventing fraud, emerging as an effective cyber-security model. On 10 January 2026, CM Bhajan Lal Sharma announced the Rajasthan Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (R4C) at the RPA, Jaipur, modelled on the Centre's Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C).

National Entrepreneurship Mission

Launched under the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana - National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM), it aims to provide enterprise-promotion training to 50,000 Community Resource Persons (CRPs) and enterprise-development training to 50 lakh Self Help Group members.

New amphibian species: Gegenophis valmikii

Indian scientists identified an extremely rare subterranean amphibian in the northern Western Ghats of Maharashtra. 'Gegenophis valmikii' belongs to the Gegenophis genus, known as blind caecilians. It was named in honor of the Maharishi Valmiki temple near the discovery site.

Google AI tools: Translate Gemma & AlphaGenome

Google launched 'Translate Gemma', a suite of open translation models supporting 55 languages, built on the Gemma 3 architecture. Google DeepMind launched 'AlphaGenome', an AI tool to understand DNA mutations.

Nipah Virus

The Nipah virus, a deadly zoonotic disease, was in the news in the context of cases in Kerala.

Rising FTA trade deficit

Issues around India's rising trade deficit with its Free Trade Agreement (FTA) partners — especially ASEAN and China — were in the news.

Age of consent and adolescent autonomy

The debate over the age of consent (18 years) and adolescent autonomy — in the context of criminalisation of adolescent relationships under POCSO — was in the news.

Aadhaar Mascot Udai

The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) introduced 'Udai', a resident-friendly Aadhaar mascot, to make Aadhaar services more accessible.

Pax Silica & India's inclusion

The US's newly appointed Ambassador to India said India will be invited to 'Pax Silica' — a proposed alliance on semiconductor and advanced technology supply chains.

US retreat from multilateralism

The US retreat from multilateralism — withdrawing from various international institutions and agreements — was in the news for its impact on global governance.

Conservation of grasslands

The conservation of India's grasslands — in the context of biodiversity, pastures and habitats of species like the GIB — was in the news.

World Hindi Day

10 January is observed as World Hindi Day, promoting the global spread of the Hindi language.

Rajasthan Digifest TiE Global Summit 2026

The Rajasthan Digifest TiE Global Summit was held on 4-6 January 2026 at JECC, Sitapura, Jaipur, by the Department of IT and Communications with TiE Global. Pillars: 'Technology, Growth and Sustainability'; theme: 'Sustainable Entrepreneurship in the AI Era: Innovation, Impact and Inclusion'. Founders/investors from 1,200 global companies and 20 unicorn/multicorn startups participated, with key sessions by Smriti Irani and Virender Sehwag.

Atal Pension Yojana extended to 2030-31

The Union Cabinet approved continuing the centrally-sponsored Atal Pension Yojana till 2030-31. It aims to provide old-age income security to low-income groups and unorganized workers, offering a minimum guaranteed monthly pension of Rs 1,000-5,000 after age 60.

UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed's Visit to India

This was Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed's fifth visit to India in ten years and his third official visit as UAE President. Agreements included the Dholera Special Investment Region, space cooperation (IN-SPACe and UAE Space Agency), and a strategic defence partnership. Bilateral trade was to be doubled to $200 billion by 2032.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz's Visit to India

This was Friedrich Merz's first official visit to India. India and Germany are marking 75 years of diplomatic relations and 25 years of strategic partnership. The Chancellor held bilateral talks with PM Modi in Ahmedabad, and both leaders attended the International Kite Festival.

National Girl Child Day & International Day of Education

National Girl Child Day is observed in India on 24 January. The same day is also the International Day of Education, whose 2026 theme was 'The Power of Youth in Co-creating Education'.

Delhi-Mumbai Expressway — Rajasthan Section Opened

Rajasthan section of Delhi-Mumbai Expressway opened. Jaipur to Delhi in 2 hours.

Responsible Nations Index (RNI)

The World Intellectual Foundation (WIF) will launch the Responsible Nations Index (RNI), India's first globally anchored index evaluating countries on responsible governance and sustainability.

Year-End Review 2025: Department of Expenditure

The Department of Expenditure's Year-End Review 2025 highlighted progress in public financial management, capital expenditure and transfers to states.

Tex-RAMPS Scheme

The Ministry of Textiles signed MoUs with 15 states for its new 'Tex-RAMPS' scheme during the National Textile Ministers' Conference in Guwahati.

PANKHUDI Portal

The Ministry of Women and Child Development launched the PANKHUDI portal to strengthen collaboration and transparency in women and child development initiatives.

Indian miniature painting

Indian miniature painting, famous for its intricate styles — Mughal, Rajput, Pahari, Deccani — was in the news.

India's maritime strategy

India's maritime strategy — security in the Indian Ocean, naval modernisation and the SAGAR/MAHASAGAR vision — was in the news.

Shaksgam Valley dispute

The Shaksgam Valley (Trans-Karakoram Tract) dispute — illegally ceded by Pakistan to China in 1963 — was in the news due to Chinese activities.

India-Germany Relations

India-Germany relations — a strategic partnership with cooperation in trade, defence, migration and green energy — were in the news.

Rajasthan: New Bill for Property Protection in Disturbed Areas

On 21 January 2026, the Cabinet chaired by the CM approved the draft 'Rajasthan Prohibition of Transfer of Immovable Property and Provision for Protection of Tenants from Eviction in Disturbed Areas Bill, 2026'. Any transfer of property in a declared disturbed area without the District Magistrate's prior permission will be void. Violations are non-bailable and cognizable, punishable with 3-5 years' imprisonment and fine.

'Wetland City' under the Ramsar Convention: Udaipur

On 9 September 2025, Indore (Madhya Pradesh) and Udaipur (Rajasthan) were issued certificates recognising them as 'Wetland Cities' under the Ramsar Convention, acknowledging their efforts in wetland conservation.

Global Soft Power Index 2026

In the Global Soft Power Index 2026 by Brand Finance, India ranked 32nd (score 48.00). The US topped (74.9), followed by China (73.5).

National Sports Governance (National Sports Bodies) Rules, 2026

The Centre notified the Rules 2026 under the National Sports Governance Act, 2025, establishing a statutory framework for transparent, inclusive and accountable sports governance. National Sports Bodies' General Body must include at least four Sportspersons of Outstanding Merit (SOMs), of whom 50% must be women.

Australian Open (Tennis) 2026

The Australian Open 2026 was held at Melbourne Park. Men's singles was won by Carlos Alcaraz (Spain) and women's singles by Elena Rybakina (Kazakhstan).

ISRO Launches EOS-09 via PSLV-C61

ISRO launched EOS-09 Earth Observation Satellite via PSLV 61st flight.

India-ASEAN Summit Maritime Security and Trade

India-ASEAN Summit launched initiatives on maritime security, digital payments and trade.

Makar Sankranti 2026

Makar Sankranti, a harvest festival marking the Sun's entry into Capricorn (Makar), was celebrated across India on 14-15 January in various forms.

Gati Shakti Cargo Terminals and India's logistics transformation

Issues around Gati Shakti Multi-Modal Cargo Terminals (GCTs) and India's logistics transformation through PM GatiShakti were in the news.

Bhairav Battalion

The Bhairav Battalions, the Indian Army's newly raised modern warfare force, made their debut in the Army Day Parade in Jaipur.

Digital transformation of India's dairy sector

The digital transformation of India's dairy sector — digital payments, cattle tracking and data-driven management — was in the news.

Source code of smartphones

Issues around access to and control of smartphone source code — in the context of data privacy, security and transparency — were in the news.

First Indian appointed to chair the ABDM

Senior Indian diplomat DB Venkatesh Varma was nominated by the UN Secretary-General to chair the Advisory Board on Disarmament Matters (ABDM) for 2026-27.

Marine and space biotechnology

Marine and space biotechnology — using biological resources and research in marine and space environments — was in the news as emerging fields.

Governor's Rule in the Chakma Autonomous District Council

The Governor of Mizoram extended Governor's Rule in the Chakma Autonomous District Council (CADC) for another six months, citing political instability.

Rajasthan Employment Policy: 2026

The CM released the Rajasthan Employment Policy 2026 at the State Youth Festival on 12 January 2026. It targets 15 lakh employment opportunities by March 2029 to boost entrepreneurship, with skill training to make youth self-reliant. A Rajasthan Employment Portal (EEMS 2.0) will integrate employment offices, and e-Job Fairs will be held for national and international jobs.

83rd Golden Globe Awards 2026

Organized by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, the Golden Globes honor excellence in film and television annually. Best Drama film was 'One Battle After Another' and Best Director was Paul Thomas Anderson.

5 new non-permanent members of the UN Security Council

Bahrain, Colombia, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Latvia and Liberia began their two-year term from 1 January. Members serving until end-2026 include Denmark, Greece, Pakistan, Panama and Somalia.

Kerala's State Microorganism: Bacillus Subtilis

The Kerala government declared Bacillus Subtilis as its state microorganism, making Kerala the first Indian state to include a microorganism in its list of state symbols.

National Voters Day

National Voters Day is observed on 25 January, marking the foundation day of the Election Commission of India. The 2026 theme was 'My India, My Vote' with tagline 'Citizen at the heart of India's democracy'.

5G Expansion in India — Service in 700 Districts

5G reached 700 districts of India by January 2026. All Rajasthan districts covered.

Prime Minister's Internship Scheme

The Prime Minister's Internship Scheme, providing youth with internships and skills in top companies, was in the news.

151st Foundation Day of IMD and Automatic Weather Stations

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) marked its 151st Foundation Day, emphasising strengthening weather forecasting through Automatic Weather Stations (AWS).

78th Army Day

15 January is observed as Army Day, marking Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa taking command of the Indian Army in 1949.

MS Sahoo Committee for NPS reforms

The PFRDA set up a high-level committee chaired by MS Sahoo to design a regulatory framework for assured payouts under the National Pension System (NPS).

NITI Aayog report on convergence of MSME schemes

NITI Aayog released a report on the convergence of MSME schemes to reduce fragmentation and improve benefit delivery to micro, small and medium enterprises.

UN flags unaddressed violence in Sri Lanka's civil war

The United Nations flagged unaddressed violence and lack of accountability during Sri Lanka's civil war (1983-2009).

India-Israel Joint Ministerial Declaration on Fisheries and Aquaculture

India and Israel signed a Joint Ministerial Declaration for cooperation in fisheries and aquaculture.

Japan begins world's first trial to lift rare-earth mud from 6,000 m seabed

Japan's drilling vessel Chikyu has begun a trial to retrieve rare-earth-rich mud from about 6,000 m below the sea surface near Minamitorishima island.

Rajasthan Energy Conservation Awards

The Rajasthan Renewable Energy Corporation (RRECL) held the Energy Conservation Awards on 20 January 2026 at the Constitutional Club, Jaipur, honouring 73 winners for efforts over the last three years. The five categories were Industry, Individual Building, Municipal Body Building, Government Department Office and Individual. Alwar Collector Dr. Artika Shukla won first prize in the Government category.

Granth Kutir inaugurated at Rashtrapati Bhavan

Granth Kutir houses a rich collection of manuscripts and books in India's 11 classical languages, including the Constitution of India in these languages. The initiative supports the 'Gyan Bharatam Mission' vision. IGNCA provides expertise in manuscript management.

National Youth Day

National Youth Day is observed on 12 January to honor Swami Vivekananda's birth anniversary. The 2026 theme was 'Ignite the self, Impact the world'. The Swami Vivekananda Chetna Mahotsav 2026 was held in Bilaspur (Chhattisgarh).

US to return 3 ancient bronze sculptures to India

The Smithsonian's National Museum of Asian Art announced returning three rare ancient bronze sculptures stolen from Tamil Nadu temples - Shiva Nataraja (Chola, ~990 CE), Somaskanda (Chola, 12th century) and Saint Sundarar with Paravai (Vijayanagar, 16th century).

Bal Vivah Mukt Bharat (BVMB) Abhiyan

Launched by the Ministry of Women and Child Development on 27 November 2024, the campaign aims to make India completely child-marriage-free by 2030 and reduce the rate to 10% by 2026. Under the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act 2006, marriage of a girl under 18 and a boy under 21 is child marriage.

Khelo India Youth Games 2026 — In Rajasthan

Khelo India Youth Games 2026 in Rajasthan. Events in Jaipur, Udaipur, Kota.

China's entry in the spice market

China began cultivating and exporting chillies and cumin — two of India's key spice exports — at lower, competitive prices, challenging India's spice exports.

Decade of the Startup India Initiative

The Startup India Initiative completed a decade, making India the world's third-largest startup ecosystem.

WEF Global Risks Report 2026

The World Economic Forum's (WEF) Global Risks Report 2026 outlined the top global risks for coming years — climate, misinformation, cyber and conflict.

Commonwealth Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers

The Commonwealth Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers was held to strengthen parliamentary democracy, legislative practices and cooperation.

World's first repository of mountain ice cores

Scientists inaugurated the world's first global repository of mountain ice cores at Concordia Research Station on the Antarctic Plateau to preserve climate records threatened by rapid glacier melt.

Rani Ahilyabai Holkar

Rani Ahilyabai Holkar, the Holkar queen of Malwa and a great administrator and social reformer, was in the news.

MHA's New SOP on Cyber Financial Frauds

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) issued a new Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to tackle cyber financial frauds and enable quick recovery of victims' money.

Guidelines for Virtual Digital Assets

The government issued guidelines to regulate Virtual Digital Assets (VDA) — cryptocurrencies and other digital assets.

Foundation Day of Lokpal of India

The Lokpal of India marked its Foundation Day; it is the apex anti-corruption body that investigates corruption complaints against public servants.

Nazar App Wins Skoch Award

At the 104th Skoch Summit in New Delhi, Rajasthan Police's Nazar App won the Skoch Award in the Technology Innovation category. The Nazar App is a citizen-based digital platform through which people can easily share details of their domestic servants, tenants and employees with the police.

Rajasthan's First Fully Organic Gram Panchayat

Bamanwas Kankad Gram Panchayat in Kotputli-Behror district became Rajasthan's first fully organic Gram Panchayat, certified under NPOP standards. It is also the first fully organic-certified Panchayat in North-West India. COFED provided technical and market support; it aims to make 300 Gram Panchayats in Bikaner, Alwar, Kotputli-Behror and Bhilwara fully organic by 2026.

Other Major Rajasthan Festivals and Fairs (January 2026)

January 2026 saw several festivals in Rajasthan: the 1008 Kundiya Hanuman Mahayagna at Neendar, Jaipur (concluded 16 January in the presence of President Draupadi Murmu); the Forest Fair 2026 at Sajjangarh, Udaipur (theme 'Forest Heritage'); the 9th Jaipur Bird Festival (Kanota Camp, Jamdoli); the 12th Udaipur Bird Festival (Ramsar site 'Menar'); and, for the first time, a Division-Level Pantgotsav (kite festival) across all seven divisions.

India's First Vande Bharat Sleeper Train

The PM inaugurated India's first Vande Bharat Sleeper Train from Malda Town Railway Station, West Bengal. It runs between Guwahati (Assam) and Howrah (West Bengal). It is an indigenously designed and manufactured semi-high-speed train by Indian Railways.

Henley Passport Index 2026

In the Henley Passport Index 2026 by Henley & Partners, India ranked 80th (visa-free score 55). Singapore topped with a score of 192, while Afghanistan was last at 101st.

Rajasthan — Mukhyamantri Lakhpati Didi Yojana Launched

Target to make 2 lakh women earn Rs 1 lakh annually through SHG in Rajasthan.

RBI Cuts Repo Rate by 0.25% to 6%

RBI reduced repo rate by 0.25% to 6% in MPC meeting.

Known Bird Species in Rajasthan = 510

Per the latest data from the Rajasthan State Biodiversity Board (January 2026), the state has 510 known bird species, of which about 100 are migratory, arriving from Siberia, Europe and Africa in winter. Three species are listed as Critically Endangered — the Great Indian Bustard (Godavan), the White-rumped Vulture and the Indian (Long-billed) Vulture.

Beating Retreat Ceremony 2026

Held every 29 January at Vijay Chowk, this ceremony marks the culmination of Republic Day celebrations. Bands of the Army, Navy, Air Force and CAPFs perform their tunes. This year the seating areas at Vijay Chowk were named after Indian musical instruments.

New Ramsar Sites in India: total 98

Patna Bird Sanctuary (Uttar Pradesh) and Chhari-Dhand (Gujarat) were added to the Ramsar List, raising India's Ramsar wetlands to 98. Patna is UP's smallest bird sanctuary. Chhari-Dhand is a seasonal wetland between the Banni grasslands and the Rann of Kutch.

4th India Energy Week (IEW) 2026

Organized by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, it was virtually inaugurated by PM Narendra Modi. It aims to strengthen energy security, encourage investment and develop practical solutions to reduce carbon emissions. India Energy Week began in 2023.

National Volleyball & Kho-Kho Championships 2026

The 72nd National Volleyball Championship was held in Varanasi, with Railways winning men's and Kerala women's; Rajasthan's women won bronze. In the 58th Senior National Kho-Kho Championship (Kazipet, Telangana), RSPB won men's and Maharashtra women's.

WHO — India Maintains Polio-Free Status

India maintained polio-free status in 2026. Free since 2014.

Central Vigilance Commission

The Central Vigilance Commission (CVC), the apex integrity body against corruption, was in the news regarding its role and functions.

Kaziranga Elevated Corridor and Bagurumba Dwhou

During an Assam visit, the PM laid the foundation stone of the Kaziranga Elevated Corridor Project and joined the Bagurumba Dwhou 2026 cultural programme in Guwahati.

1.03 crore new workers added to ESIC

ESIC payroll data showed 1.03 crore new workers added in a year, reflecting growth in formal employment.

Urbanisation beyond megacities

The need for urbanisation beyond megacities — planned development of small and medium towns — in India was in the news.

India's first state-funded BSL-4 lab

The Union Home Minister laid the foundation stone of India's first state-funded Bio-Safety Level-4 (BSL-4) laboratory in Gandhinagar, Gujarat.

Export Preparedness Index (EPI) 2024

NITI Aayog released the Export Preparedness Index (EPI) 2024, assessing the export readiness of states and Union Territories.

Climate records unearthed from Kondagai Lake

Researchers unearthed ancient climate records from the sediments of Kondagai Lake, shedding light on the region's past monsoon and environment.

Rajasthan: Other Likely Objective Facts (January 2026)

Other key Rajasthan facts of January 2026: on 22 January, at the MRAI 2026 conference in Jaipur, NITI Aayog released three reports on the circular economy (ELVs, e-waste/tyres, lithium-ion batteries); Rajasthan's first State Genetic Testing Lab was set up at SMS Hospital, Jaipur; and the Commission for Air Quality Management set a target of at least 10% annual pollution reduction for the Rajasthan-NCR districts (Alwar, Bharatpur, Bhiwadi).

India-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA) (Jan 2026)

PM Narendra Modi and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced the conclusion of the India-EU FTA at the 16th India-EU Summit. The EU became India's 22nd FTA partner. India gets preferential access to European markets on 97% of tariff lines. It was called the 'Mother of All Deals'.

New Zealand Tour of India 2026

In New Zealand's tour of India 2026, NZ won the ODI series 2-1 (PoS: Daryl Mitchell), while India won the 5-match T20 series 4-1 (PoS: Suryakumar Yadav).

33rd Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26

The 33rd Vijay Hazare Trophy final was held in Bengaluru, where Vidarbha won for the first time and Saurashtra were runners-up. Player of the Series was Aman Mokhade (814 runs).

11 Years of Beti Bachao Beti Padhao & Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana

Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) and Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana were both launched on 22 January 2015 from Panipat, Haryana. SSY is a small savings scheme for girls' education and marriage with a current interest rate of 8.2%.

PM Surya Ghar Scheme — 5 Lakh Homes in Rajasthan

Solar panels on 5 lakh homes in Rajasthan. 300 units free electricity monthly.

Snowfall deficit in the Western Himalayas

The snowfall deficit in the Western Himalayas — linked to weak western disturbances and climate change — was in the news amid water security and agriculture concerns.

Polar Silk Road

Recent US remarks on Greenland revived debate on China's Arctic ambitions — the Polar Silk Road.

India-Germany Joint Declaration of Intent (JDI)

India and Germany signed a Joint Declaration of Intent (JDI) to enhance cooperation in skills, migration and labour mobility.

Chips to Start-up (C2S) Programme

The government released outcomes of the Chips to Start-up (C2S) Programme, highlighting large enrolment, student-designed chips and patent generation.

Valley of Flowers National Park

Uttarakhand's Valley of Flowers National Park, famous for its endemic alpine flora and biodiversity, was in the news.

Achievements of cooperatives in India

The achievements of the cooperative movement in India — in agriculture, dairy, credit and rural development — were in the news under 'Sahkar Se Samriddhi'.

Employment and Social Trends 2026 Report

The ILO's 'World Employment and Social Outlook: Trends 2026' report analysed global employment, unemployment and quality of work.

BBNJ Agreement enters into force

The Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement — the world's first legally binding treaty to protect marine biodiversity in international waters — came into force on 17 January 2026.

Key Agreements of Rajasthan: January 2026

January 2026 saw several key MoUs in Rajasthan: Rajivika + MNIT Jaipur (evaluation and research of schemes); Bikaner Technical University (BTU) + IITM Pune (a 'Climate and Greenhouse Gas Reference Station'); IIT Jodhpur + NLU Jodhpur (the country's first joint law-and-technology centre); Hindustan Zinc + Silox India (low-carbon zinc brand EcoZen); and Rajivika + Barefoot College Tilonia (training rural women as 'Solar Didi').

India becomes world's largest rice producer

India became the world's largest rice producer with 15.01 crore tonnes, overtaking China (14.52 crore tonnes). The top rice-producing states are Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, West Bengal and Madhya Pradesh.

Virat Kohli becomes second-most international run-scorer

Virat Kohli reached 28,068 runs, surpassing Sri Lanka's Kumar Sangakkara (28,016), and now sits behind only Sachin Tendulkar (34,357).

OncoMark: AI system for cancer identification

OncoMark is a cutting-edge AI analytical system that studies biochemical signals in cancer cells and provides hallmark-based identification beyond traditional size/stage classification. It was trained on data from 3.1 million cells across 14 cancer types.

Book: 'Chalice of Ambrosia: Ram Janmabhoomi'

'Chalice of Ambrosia: Ram Janmabhoomi - Challenge and Response' by former Government of India Secretary Surendra Kumar Pachauri was launched by Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan.

NEP 2020 Implementation in Rajasthan

NEP 2020 fully implemented in Rajasthan. 5+3+3+4 pattern started.

Rising state borrowings and their impact on bond yields

Issues around rising state borrowings (SDLs) and their impact on bond yields were in the news amid fiscal stability concerns.

PSLV failures and implications

Rare failures of ISRO's Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) and their implications for the space programme were in the news.

Ban on illegal betting & gambling sites

The Union Government blocked 242 illegal betting and gambling websites, taking the total blocked in this category to 7,800.

Border Roads Organisation

The Border Roads Organisation (BRO), which builds roads, tunnels and bridges in border areas, was in the news for its achievements.

National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) Raising Day

The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) marked its Raising Day; it is a specialised force for rescue and relief in natural and man-made disasters.

Sammakka-Saralamma Jatara

Telangana will host the Sammakka-Saralamma Jatara (Medaram Jatara) from 28 January 2026 at Medaram village in Mulugu district — a tribal festival of the Koya community.

Birth Centenary of Parbati Giri

The Prime Minister paid homage to freedom fighter Parbati Giri on her birth centenary; she is called the 'Mother Teresa of Western Odisha'.

US secondary tariffs over Iran trade

The US threatened secondary tariffs/sanctions on countries trading with Iran, with potential impact on India's oil imports and Chabahar.

India-UAE engagement amid regional flux

India-UAE engagement — trade, energy, diaspora and security cooperation — was in the news amid regional flux in West Asia.

69th National School Games Cricket Championship: Rajasthan Wins

Rajasthan won the 69th National School Games Cricket Championship held in Sikar on 19-24 January 2026, with Jammu and Kashmir as runner-up. Cricketer Mukul Choudhary earned special recognition, signing a Rs. 2.60 crore contract with Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in the IPL 2026 mini-auction.

Ursula von der Leyen's Visit to India

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen co-chaired the 16th EU-India Summit in New Delhi with European Council President Antonio Costa. She was also a Chief Guest at Republic Day 2026.

India's First Open-Sea Marine Fish Farming Project

Launched at Sri Vijayapuram (Andaman), it is implemented by the National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT), the technical arm of the Ministry of Earth Sciences. It aims to create sustainable livelihoods for coastal communities under the Blue Economy policy.

Yonex-Sunrise India Open 2026 (Badminton)

The Yonex-Sunrise India Open 2026 was held at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium, New Delhi. Men's singles was won by Lin Chun-Yi (Taiwan) and women's singles by An Se-Young (South Korea).

Book: 'Khutbat-e-Modi: Lal Qila Ki Faseel Se'

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan released the book. It compiles PM Modi's Independence Day addresses from the Red Fort between 2014 and 2015. It was published in Urdu by NCPUL, New Delhi.

India-France — 26 Rafale Marine Jets Deal

India signed Rs 63,000 crore deal for 26 Rafale Marine jets.

All 500+ Rajasthan Govt Services Online on Raj e-Mitra

Rajasthan government made all 500+ services available online on Raj e-Mitra.

INS Sagardhwani flags off for Sagar Maitri V

The Indian Navy flagged off INS Sagardhwani from the Southern Naval Command, Kochi, for the fifth edition of the Sagar Maitri (SM-5) mission.

GI-Tagged Kaladi to be upscaled under ODOP

The Union Minister directed that Kaladi, a GI-tagged dairy product of Udhampur (J&K), be upscaled under One District One Product (ODOP).

Rash Behari Bose

Rash Behari Bose, a prominent revolutionary and a pioneer of the idea of the Indian National Army (INA), was in the news.

Statehood Day of Manipur, Meghalaya and Tripura

Manipur, Meghalaya and Tripura celebrated their Statehood Day on 21 January, marking when they became full states of India in 1972.

Zehanpora Stupa

Recent excavations in Zehanpora, Baramulla (North Kashmir), uncovered a 2,000+ year-old massive Buddhist stupa from the Kushan era (1st-3rd century CE).

Central Bank Digital Currency

Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) — the Digital Rupee (e₹) issued by the RBI — was in the news regarding its expansion and use.

Demographic Winter and India's narrowing demographic dividend

Issues around declining fertility ('demographic winter') and the narrowing window of India's demographic dividend were in the news.

UGC new rules against caste discrimination

The UGC notified new rules to prevent caste-based discrimination in higher education institutions, ensuring inclusive and safe campuses.

Lokayan 26

The Indian Navy's sail training ship INS Sudarshini began the Lokayan 26 expedition on 20 January 2026, reflecting India's maritime heritage and the spirit of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam.

69th National School Games: Rajasthan Dominates Boxing and Archery

At the 69th National School Games Boxing Championship (26-31 December 2025, Guna, MP), Rajasthan won the team championship for the first time; its U-14 team topped the medal tally with 8 medals (3G, 2S, 3B). At the 69th National School Archery Championship (6-10 January 2026, Ranchi), the Rajasthan Compound team was the overall champion with 8 medals (5G, 2S, 1B).

World Hindi Day

World Hindi Day is observed on 10 January. The 2026 theme was 'Hindi: From Traditional Knowledge to Artificial Intelligence'. The first World Hindi Conference was held on 10 January 1975 in Nagpur; the official celebration began in 2006.

Indian Army Day

Indian Army Day is observed on 15 January. On 15 January 1949, Lt Gen K.M. Cariappa took over as the first Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army. In 2026, it was celebrated for the first time outside the main cantonment area, in Jaipur (Rajasthan).

Operation Absolute Resolve (Venezuela)

The US attacked Caracas, the capital of Venezuela, arresting President Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores and taking them to the US. A national emergency was declared in Venezuela. Maduro is accused of a narco-terrorism conspiracy.

Book: 'Sing, Dance and Lead' by Hindol Sengupta

'Sing, Dance and Lead: Leadership Lessons from the Life of Srila Prabhupada' by Hindol Sengupta draws leadership lessons from Srila Prabhupada's life. Srila Prabhupada founded ISKCON in New York in 1966 and started the Hare Krishna Movement.

Mangalyaan-2 — ISRO Plans Mars Mission

ISRO preparing Mangalyaan-2. Launch likely in 2028. LVM3 to be used.

Subhash Chandra Bose

23 January is observed as 'Parakram Diwas', the birth anniversary of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, founder of the Azad Hind Fauj and a great freedom fighter.

India's LFPR hits record 56.1% in 2025

The Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) – December 2025 shows the Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR) reaching yearly highs while unemployment remained stable.

Supreme Court verdict on DTAA

The Supreme Court delivered an important verdict on the application of Double Taxation Avoidance Agreements (DTAA) and tax concessions.

SC to examine whether ED is a 'juristic person'

The Supreme Court will examine petitions by Tamil Nadu and Kerala on whether the Directorate of Enforcement (ED) is a 'juristic person' entitled to approach High Courts under Article 226.

India-Spain Counter-Terrorism Cooperation

India and Spain strengthened counter-terrorism cooperation — intelligence sharing, terror financing and countering radicalisation.

Citizen-centred Universal Health Coverage

Citizen-centred Universal Health Coverage (UHC) — ensuring quality, affordable healthcare for all — was in the news in the context of health reform.

India's groundwater crisis

India's groundwater crisis — over-extraction, falling water tables and contamination — was in the news in the context of water security and agriculture.

Indira Gandhi Peace Prize

The Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development 2025 was awarded to Mozambican rights activist Graca Machel for outstanding contributions to peace and humanitarian action.

Rajasthan Semiconductor Policy: 2025

The Rajasthan Cabinet approved the state's first semiconductor policy on 21 January 2026, aligned with the 'India Semiconductor Mission'. It aims to make the state a global hub for chip manufacturing, design and packaging. It provides an additional 60% state capital subsidy over the Centre's, 5% interest subsidy on term loans, 100% electricity-charge rebate for 7 years, and effectively 100% stamp-duty exemption.

Padma Awards 2026

The President approved 131 Padma Awards for 2026, including 5 Padma Vibhushan, 13 Padma Bhushan and 113 Padma Shri. Awardees include 19 women, 6 from foreign/NRI/PIO/OCI category and 16 posthumous.

Bulgaria becomes 21st Eurozone member

Bulgaria adopted the Euro as its official currency, becoming the 21st Eurozone member. The Bulgarian lev will remain in circulation alongside the Euro for a while, with the Euro becoming the sole legal tender from 1 February.

2026: International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists

The UN declared 2026 as the 'International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists' to raise awareness about the world's vital grasslands and the pastoralists who sustain them.

Indian Constitution in Santhali Language

President Droupadi Murmu released a copy of the Constitution in the Ol Chiki script of Santhali on Good Governance Day (25 December 2025). The Ol Chiki script was developed by Pandit Raghunath Murmu in 1925; 2025 is its centenary year.

INSV Kaundinya reached Oman

INSV Kaundinya reached Muscat's Port Sultan Qaboos after its maiden voyage from Porbandar (Gujarat), highlighting the shared maritime heritage of India and Oman.

Sexual dimorphism and spider silk quality

A study highlighted the link between sexual dimorphism (male-female differences) in spiders and the quality of spider silk.

Limits of household stability

The limits of household financial stability in India — rising debt, savings and consumption — were in the news amid economic vulnerability.

Jamma Bane Lands of Kodagu

Karnataka enacted the Karnataka Land Revenue (2nd Amendment) Act 2025 to modernise the century-old land record system for the unique Jamma Bane lands in Kodagu (Coorg).

Reusable Launch Vehicle (RLV) Technology

Reusable Launch Vehicle (RLV) technology, which reduces the cost of space access, was in the news in the context of ISRO's efforts.

India's Power Sector Milestones 2025

India's power sector milestones for 2025 — record capacity addition, renewable expansion and grid reforms — were in the news.

World's first graviton detector

Scientists planned the world's first graviton detector, aiming to detect the graviton — the hypothetical fundamental particle of gravity.

DoT de-licenses half of the 6 GHz band

The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) de-licensed the lower half of the 6GHz band for indoor use, paving the way for WiFi 6E and WiFi 7 in India.

Dugong

The dugong ('sea cow'), a vulnerable marine mammal, was in the news in the context of conservation and its seagrass habitat.

77th Republic Day: Rajasthan Tableau on the Kartavya Path

On 26 January 2026, the highlight of Rajasthan's tableau on the Kartavya Path in New Delhi was Bikaner's Usta (gold) art, with the theme 'Rajasthan: Golden Touch of the Desert (Sujas)'. It won third prize in the Popular Choice category. The tableau featured a 180-degree rotating statue of an artist playing the Ravanhattha at the front, an Usta-decorated kupi at the centre, a camel-and-rider statue at the back, and the 'Gair' folk dance around it.

IGI Airport: India's first water-positive airport

New Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport became India's first water-positive airport. Water-positive means it replenishes or conserves more water than it consumes.

Jeevan Raksha Padak Awards 2025

The Jeevan Raksha Padak is given in three categories - Sarvottam, Uttam and Jeevan Raksha. It includes 6 Sarvottam, 6 Uttam and 18 Jeevan Raksha medals. It is awarded for humanitarian acts of saving a life.

Release of 55 literary works in 5 classical languages

Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan released 55 literary works in Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada and Odia, published by the Central Institute of Indian Languages. India has 11 classical languages in total.

Padma Awards 2026 — 134 Personalities Honoured

Padma Awards 2026 announced on Republic Day eve. 5 Padma Shri from Rajasthan.

India Begins 6G Research from IIT Madras

India began 6G research from IIT Madras 5G test bed targeting 6G launch by 2030.

Rajasthan Youth Policy: 2026

The CM released the Rajasthan Youth Policy 2026 on 12 January 2026 to expand opportunities for youth in emerging fields through education and skilling, with special focus on those aged 15-29. Key pillars: employment to entrepreneurship, education and modern skills (AI and digital), leadership and society, and health and wellness, implemented through a three-tier structure.

Coking Coal notified as critical & strategic mineral

India notified coking coal as a critical and strategic mineral under the MMDR Act, 1957. Estimated reserves are 37.37 billion tonnes (mainly Jharkhand). About 95% of the steel sector's coking coal requirement is met through imports.

Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development 2025

Mozambique's human-rights activist Graça Machel received the 2025 Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development from the Indira Gandhi Memorial Trust. It includes Rs 1 crore and a citation. She was married to Mozambique's first President Samora Machel and later to Nelson Mandela.

Panchayat Chatbot 'PANCHAM'

Developed with UNICEF and integrated with 'BHASHINI', its interface is available on WhatsApp and it is linked to e-Gram Swaraj. It establishes the first direct two-way digital connection between the Government of India and Panchayats.

77th Republic Day — Rajasthan Tableau Wins First Prize

77th Republic Day on 26 Jan 2026. Rajasthan tableau first. Chief Guest — President of Indonesia.

'Ramsar Organic': Barmer Mentioned in 'Mann Ki Baat'

PM Narendra Modi referred to Panaram Saran's 'Ramsar Organic Farmer Producer Company' of Barmer in the 'Mann Ki Baat' of 25 January 2026, which promotes organic farming.

28th CSPOC of Commonwealth Parliaments

The 28th Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of Commonwealth Countries was inaugurated by the PM at the Central Hall of the old Parliament House and chaired by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla. 61 Speakers from 42 Commonwealth countries participated. India earlier hosted it in 1971, 1986 and 2010.

INS Sudarshini's 'Lokayan 26' expedition

Indian Navy's sail training ship INS Sudarshini departed Kochi on its flagship voyage 'Lokayan 26'. The 10-month transoceanic expedition will cover over 22,000 nautical miles, visiting 18 foreign ports in 13 countries. The aim is to showcase India's maritime heritage and 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam'.

Parakram Diwas

Parakram Diwas is observed on 23 January to mark Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose's birth anniversary. It has been observed since 2021.

SC directs states on police-media briefing policy

The Supreme Court directed states to frame a uniform police-media briefing policy in criminal cases, to protect fair trial and privacy.

Tamil Nadu opposes UGC circular on third language

Tamil Nadu opposed a UGC circular promoting a third language in higher education, calling it imposition of a language on the state.

Granth Kutir

The President of India inaugurated the Granth Kutir at Rashtrapati Bhavan — a dedicated book house showcasing India's classical knowledge traditions.

ASEAN-India Digital Ministers' Meeting

The ASEAN-India Digital Ministers' Meeting strengthened cooperation in digital infrastructure, cybersecurity and emerging technologies.

MSDE-WEF India Skills Accelerator

The MSDE and the World Economic Forum (WEF) launched the India Skills Accelerator to boost future skills and employability.

Republic Day 2026

India celebrated its 77th Republic Day on 26 January 2026, commemorating the Constitution coming into force in 1950.

56th Statehood Day of Himachal Pradesh

Himachal Pradesh celebrated its 56th Statehood Day, marking when it became a full state of India in 1971.

National Girl Child Day 2026

24 January is observed as National Girl Child Day, raising awareness about the rights, education and welfare of the girl child.

Sikkim Sundari

Sikkim Sundari (Rheum nobile), a rare high-altitude Himalayan plant, drew attention for its unique biology and striking appearance.

Padma Awards 2026

On the eve of Republic Day, 131 Padma Awards were announced — 5 Padma Vibhushan, 13 Padma Bhushan and 113 Padma Shri.

Integrated Cluster Development Scheme: Rajasthan

Effective January 2025, this scheme gives up to 100% grant for handicraft, handloom, MSME development and skilling in the state. Rajasthan will provide a Rs. 58 crore grant for machinery and training. Seven Common Facility Centres will be developed — Bharatpur, Hanumangarh, Phalodi, Kotputli-Behror, Bolatara, Dausa and Jaipur.

77th Republic Day 2026 themed '150 Years of Vande Mataram'

The main theme was '150 Years of Vande Mataram', with tableau themes of 'Mantra of Freedom - Vande Mataram' and 'Mantra of Prosperity - Aatmanirbhar Bharat'. Chief Guests were European Council President Antonio Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. For the first time the Army showed a 'Battle Array Formation' instead of traditional marching.

Param Shakti Supercomputing Facility (IIT Madras)

The Param Shakti Supercomputing Facility was inaugurated at IIT Madras under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology. It has a peak computing capacity of 3.1 Petaflops, performing over 3.1 quadrillion calculations per second.

Praveen Vashisht appointed CVC Vigilance Commissioner

Praveen Vashisht, a 1991-batch IPS officer of the Bihar cadre, was appointed Vigilance Commissioner in the CVC. Under the CVC Act, 2003, commissioners are appointed by the President; the tenure is 4 years or until age 65.

Rajasthan Budget 2026-27 — Key Highlights

Rajasthan Budget prioritizes education, health, agriculture. Tribal area Rs 3,500 crore.

New Chief of Indian Navy Assumes Charge

26th Chief of Indian Navy assumed charge in New Delhi.

Arbitration Council of India

The Supreme Court asked the Union government to respond to a petition seeking establishment of the Arbitration Council of India (ACI) and uniform guidelines for arbitral institutions.

India-EU FTA

Negotiations on a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between India and the European Union (EU) — around trade, tariffs and sustainability standards — were in the news.

UK defends Chagos deal

The UK defended its deal transferring sovereignty of the Chagos Archipelago to Mauritius, while leasing back the Diego Garcia military base.

State of Finance for Nature 2026

The UNEP's State of Finance for Nature 2026 report highlighted investment in nature-based solutions and the biodiversity finance gap.

Long Range Anti-Ship Hypersonic Missile (LR-AShM)

At the 77th Republic Day Parade, DRDO showcased the Long Range Anti-Ship Hypersonic Missile (LR-AShM) for the first time, a major milestone in India's missile capabilities.

Early 8th century Telugu inscription

Archaeologists discovered an early 8th century Telugu inscription, offering fresh insight into the early history of the language and region.

National Voters' Day (NVD) 2026

25 January is observed as National Voters' Day, marking the Election Commission of India's (ECI) foundation day and voter awareness.

Indian Navy's First Training Squadron visits Thailand

The Indian Navy's First Training Squadron (1TS) visited Thailand, strengthening maritime cooperation and the Act East Policy.

SAMPANN-UMANG Integration

The SAMPANN pension management system was integrated with the UMANG platform to provide digital access to pensioners.

New Millet Variety: 'RHB 273'

The Rajasthan Agricultural Research Institute, Durgapura, in collaboration with ICRISAT, Hyderabad, developed the millet variety 'RHB 273' under the All India Coordinated Millet Research Project. It is drought-resistant and superior in yield and nutrition. It is the world's first three-way hybrid millet, notified for the extremely arid regions (under 400 mm rainfall) of Rajasthan, Gujarat and Haryana.

Payment Regulatory Board (PRB) first meeting

The first PRB meeting was chaired by RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra. Formed under Section 3(2) of the Payment and Settlement Systems (PSS) Act, 2007, it replaced the erstwhile BPSS. The 6-member body regulates payment and settlement systems in India.

Denmark ends 400-year-old postal letter service

Following the rise of digital communication and a more than 90% decline in government postal services, Denmark became the first country to discontinue its 400-year-old traditional postal letter service.

US withdraws from ISA and 66 organizations

US President Donald Trump announced the official withdrawal of the United States from 66 international organizations, including the International Solar Alliance (ISA).

Sela Lake and Sela Pass

Sela Lake, a high-altitude glacial lake near Sela Pass in Tawang district of Arunachal Pradesh, drew attention for its geographical, ecological and strategic significance.

Solid Waste Management (SWM) Rules, 2026

The MoEFCC notified the Solid Waste Management (SWM) Rules 2026, superseding the 2016 rules under the Environment (Protection) Act 1986.

National Improvised Explosive Device Data Management System

The government launched a National IED Data Management System to collect, analyse and share data on Improvised Explosive Device (IED) incidents.

International Data Privacy Day

28 January is observed as International Data Privacy Day, raising awareness about data protection and digital privacy.

161st Birth Anniversary of Lala Lajpat Rai

The 161st birth anniversary of Lala Lajpat Rai, 'Punjab Kesari' and a key freedom fighter of the Lal-Bal-Pal trio, was observed.

River Delta Subsidence

River delta subsidence (sinking land) — driven by groundwater extraction, sediment loss and sea-level rise — was in the news amid coastal risks.

Governor's Address to State Legislature

The Governor's Address to the State Legislature, its constitutional role and the government's agenda were in the news.

Equity infusion into SIDBI

The government approved an equity infusion into the Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) to boost credit flow to MSMEs and its lending capacity.

Lakkundi excavations boost UNESCO bid

Excavations at Lakkundi village in Gadag district, Karnataka, yielded Neolithic-period relics, boosting efforts to include the site in the UNESCO World Heritage list.

Year End Review 2025: Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship

The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship's (MSDE) Year End Review 2025 highlighted progress in skill training, ITI upgradation and apprenticeships.

19th Jaipur Literature Festival (JLF) 2026

The Vedanta Group organised the 19th Jaipur Literature Festival at Hotel Clarks Amer, Jaipur, on 15-19 January 2026. It featured over 266 sessions across six major forums with 350 speakers worldwide. Key speakers included internet pioneer Tim Berners-Lee, former CJI DY Chandrachud, Javed Akhtar, Viswanathan Anand and former Irish PM Leo Varadkar. The 13th Jaipur Bookmark focused on the Marathi language, translation and publishing.

Dharmendra awarded Padma Vibhushan posthumously

In Padma Awards 2026, Dharmendra Singh Deol (Maharashtra) received the Padma Vibhushan posthumously in Arts. Padma Vibhushan is India's second-highest civilian award.

Pinaka extended-range guided rocket

DRDO conducted the first flight test of the Pinaka extended-range guided rocket at the Integrated Test Range, Chandipur. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh flagged off the first export consignment to Armenia from Nagpur. This multi-barrel launcher can fire 12 rockets in 44 seconds. Range: 40-120 km.

Saina Nehwal's retirement

Former world No. 1 Saina Nehwal announced retirement from professional badminton. She won bronze at the 2012 London Olympics (India's first Olympic badminton medal) and became world No. 1 in women's singles in 2015. She is a recipient of Padma Bhushan, Padma Shri, Khel Ratna and Arjuna Award.

India-UK Free Trade Agreement Signed

India and UK signed FTA reducing tariffs on 90% of goods.

Tantya Mama and the Bhil Tribe

Tantya Mama was in the news after the Madhya Pradesh government announced a new metal statue of the revered tribal figure.

Split verdict on Section 17A

A Supreme Court two-judge bench delivered a split verdict on the constitutional validity of Section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Act 1988.

Thermogenesis in the sacred lotus

A study highlighted the sacred lotus's (Nelumbo nucifera) unique ability to generate heat during flowering, a rare phenomenon among plants.

Amendments to New Drugs and Clinical Trials Rules, 2019

The government amended the New Drugs and Clinical Trials Rules 2019 to streamline drug approval and clinical trials.

Sound-based helium leak sensor

Researchers developed a sound-based helium leak sensor that rapidly detects helium leaks in industrial and scientific applications.

One District One Product (ODOP)

The One District One Product (ODOP) initiative — strengthening local economies and exports by promoting each district's distinctive products — was in the news.

State Finances: A Study of Budgets of 2025-26

The RBI's 'State Finances: A Study of Budgets of 2025-26' report analysed states' fiscal health, debt and quality of expenditure.

Jijivisha Joshi (Bhilwara): Two National Writing Awards

Jijivisha Joshi of Bhilwara made history by winning the 'Desh Ratna Award' and the 'Indian Glory Award' in writing. She is considered the country's youngest inspirational writer. Suffering from muscular dystrophy, she cannot walk or stand and uses a wheelchair. Her first book, 'Door to the Fifth Dimension', brought her national recognition.

Dr. Lakshyaraj Singh Mewar: 10th Guinness World Record

Dr. Lakshyaraj Singh Mewar of the Udaipur royal family set his 10th Guinness World Record on 22 January 2026 by distributing over 1400 earthen pots in Shikarwadi. He has created 10 world records over the past 8 years through continuous work in education, environment and social service.

International Exhibition of Piprahwa Relics

Held at Rai Pithora Cultural Complex, New Delhi under the title 'The Light and the Lotus: Relics of the Awakened One'. The Piprahwa relics were discovered in 1898 by William Claxton Peppe at the Piprahwa Buddhist Stupa, Uttar Pradesh. They were repatriated to India on 30 July 2025.

Sampoornata Campaign 2.0

Launched by NITI Aayog CEO B.V.R. Subrahmanyam, the campaign aims to achieve 100% of key performance indicators (KPIs) in 112 aspirational districts and 513 aspirational blocks. Duration: 28 January to 14 April 2026.

34th Foundation Day of the National Commission for Women

The National Commission for Women (NCW) marked its 34th Foundation Day; it protects and promotes women's rights.

Made in India C-295 Aircraft

The first Made in India C-295 transport aircraft, at the Tata-Airbus facility in Vadodara (Gujarat), was in the news, symbolising self-reliance in defence manufacturing.

Patent law in space

The application of patent law to inventions and activities in space — amid the growing private space sector — was in the news.

India's low public health spending

Issues around India's low public health spending and its impact on health outcomes and out-of-pocket expenditure were in the news.

Supreme Court stays UGC's 2026 Regulations

The Supreme Court issued an interim stay on the UGC (Promotion of Equity in Higher Education Institutions) Regulations 2026, citing concerns of social division.

Classical Languages of India and the legacy of the Tirukkural

India's classical languages and the enduring legacy of the Tamil text Tirukkural were in the news for their cultural and literary significance.

US exit from the ISA

In January 2026, the US announced its withdrawal from the International Solar Alliance (ISA), five years after joining in 2021.

India Energy Week (IEW) 2026

India Energy Week (IEW) 2026 was held — a flagship platform showcasing India's energy transition, investment and innovation.

Mahatma Gandhi's Death Anniversary

30 January is observed as Mahatma Gandhi's death anniversary (Martyrs' Day), commemorating the sacrifice of the Father of the Nation.

Discombobulator

The US reportedly used a classified weapon system called the Discombobulator under Operation Absolute Resolve in Venezuela to jam and disable enemy defences.

Three Rajasthan Personalities Named for 'PM Shri' Award 2026

Three figures from Rajasthan were chosen for the 2026 PM Shri honour: Ghafruddin Mewati Jogi of Alwar (originally Kaithwara, Deeg), the only living performer of the Mahabharata-based 'Pandun Ka Kada' Mewati folk genre who has memorised over 2,500 couplets; Tagaram Bhil of Mulsagar, Jaisalmer, the 'Wizard of Algoja'; and Swami Brahmadev Ji Maharaj of Sri Ganganagar, who set up schools for the blind and the deaf and mute.

Justice Sangeet Lodha Committee

On the Supreme Court's order (Bench of Justice Abhay S. Oka), an 'Ecosystem Oversight Committee' was formed for Jodhpur, Pali and Balotra (western Rajasthan), chaired by retired Justice Sangeet Raj Lodha. It will prevent factory wastewater from entering the Luni, Jojri and Bandi rivers, develop scientific treatment for polluted groundwater and soil, and monitor CETPs. It must submit its first action plan to the Supreme Court by 27 February 2026.

Save Oran Padyatra

To get Oran lands recorded in revenue records, a 725-km Save Oran Padyatra began on 21 January 2026 from the Tanot Mata Shaktipeeth temple in Jaisalmer and will reach the Jaipur Assembly.

DRDO's 68th Foundation Day

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) celebrated its 68th Foundation Day on 1 January 2026. Dr. Samir V. Kamat is the Chairman of DRDO.