Daily Current Affairs & GK Updates

Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal Chairs 3rd Inland Waterways Development Council Meeting in KochiOn 23 January 2026, the 3rd meeting of the Inland Waterways Development Council (IWDC 3.0) was held in Kochi, Kerala, under the chairmanship of Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW), to review progress in the inland water transport sector.The meeting aimed to outline a future roadmap focused on green mobility, multimodal logistics, and river-led economic development.About IWDC 3.0Convergence: IWDC 3.0 consolidates Centre–State coordination, reviews progress since IWDC 1.0 (2024) and 2.0 (2025), and accelerates inland waterways development across cargo, passenger transport, river cruises, green vessels, and digital navigation.Approvals: Approved projects worth over Rs.1,500 crore and laid foundation stones for over Rs.150 crore projects, including river cruise jetties in Kerala, Gujarat, Karnataka, Odisha, and Telangana.Asset Procurement: Approved Rs.465 crore for procurement of vessels, 20 pontoons, 8 Quick Pontoon Opening Mechanisms (QPOMs), 12 dredgers, 3 tug-barge units, 5 survey vessels and 4 Roll-on/Roll-off Passenger (Ro-Pax) jetties to enhance navigability, safety, and year-round inland waterways operations.Inland Waterways: India has 111 National Waterways across 23 states and 4 Union Territories (UTs); 32 are operational for cargo and passenger transport, with the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), under MoPSW, responsible for their development, maintenance, and regulation.About Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW):Union Minister – Sarbananda Sonowal (Constituency – Dibrugarh, Assam)Minister of State (MoS) – Shantanu Thakur (Constituency – Bangaon, West Bengal)

27 Jan, 2026

Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal Chairs 3rd Inland Waterways Development Council Meeting in KochiOn 23 January 2026, the 3rd meeting of the Inland Waterways Development Council (IWDC 3.0) was held in Kochi, Kerala, under the chairmanship of Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW), to review progress in the inland water transport sector.The meeting aimed to outline a future roadmap focused on green mobility, multimodal logistics, and river-led economic development.About IWDC 3.0Convergence: IWDC 3.0 consolidates Centre–State coordination, reviews progress since IWDC 1.0 (2024) and 2.0 (2025), and accelerates inland waterways development across cargo, passenger transport, river cruises, green vessels, and digital navigation.Approvals: Approved projects worth over Rs.1,500 crore and laid foundation stones for over Rs.150 crore projects, including river cruise jetties in Kerala, Gujarat, Karnataka, Odisha, and Telangana.Asset Procurement: Approved Rs.465 crore for procurement of vessels, 20 pontoons, 8 Quick Pontoon Opening Mechanisms (QPOMs), 12 dredgers, 3 tug-barge units, 5 survey vessels and 4 Roll-on/Roll-off Passenger (Ro-Pax) jetties to enhance navigability, safety, and year-round inland waterways operations.Inland Waterways: India has 111 National Waterways across 23 states and 4 Union Territories (UTs); 32 are operational for cargo and passenger transport, with the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), under MoPSW, responsible for their development, maintenance, and regulation.About Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW):Union Minister – Sarbananda Sonowal (Constituency – Dibrugarh, Assam)Minister of State (MoS) – Shantanu Thakur (Constituency – Bangaon, West Bengal)

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GoI Selected 5 Companies in 4th Round of PLI Scheme for White GoodsIn January 2026, the Ministry of Commerce & Industry (MoC&I) announced that the Government of India (GoI) selected 5 companies including Kirloskar Pneumatic Indo Asia Copper; and Godrej & Boyce Manufacturing company among others, in the 4th round of the Production Linked Scheme (PLI) scheme for white goods, including Air Conditioner (ACs) and Light Emitting Diode (LED) lights, with committed investment of Rs 863 crore.These companies were provisionally selected following the evaluation of 13 applications received in the 4th round of scheme for white goods.Key Details:Expected Outcomes: These selected companies are expected to achieve a total production of Rs 8,337.24 crore and create 1,799 additional direct jobs by Financial Year 2027-28 (FY28).So far, a total of 85 companies selected under the PLI scheme for white goods are expected to attract investments worth Rs 11,198 crore, leading to a combined production of Rs 1,90,050 crore over the scheme period.Key Investments: Kirloskar Pneumatic (Rs 320 crore); Indo Asia Copper Limited (Rs 258.97 crore); Kyron Technology (Rs 175 crore); Godrej & Boyce Manufacturing Company (Rs 58.69 crore); and Pranav Vikas (India) Pvt. Ltd. (Rs 50 crore)Key Components: Under this scheme, the companies will manufacture key components of ACs and LED.Like for ACs: compressors, copper tubes (plain and/or grooved), control assemblies, heat exchangers, among others.For LEDs: companies will produce components such as: LED chip packaging, LED light management, metalized films/capacitors, among others.About Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoC&I):Union Minister- Piyush Goyal (Constituency- Mumbai North, Maharashtra)Minister of State (MoS)- Jitin Prasada (Constituency- Pilibhit, Uttar Pradesh, UP)

27 Jan, 2026

GoI Selected 5 Companies in 4th Round of PLI Scheme for White GoodsIn January 2026, the Ministry of Commerce & Industry (MoC&I) announced that the Government of India (GoI) selected 5 companies including Kirloskar Pneumatic Indo Asia Copper; and Godrej & Boyce Manufacturing company among others, in the 4th round of the Production Linked Scheme (PLI) scheme for white goods, including Air Conditioner (ACs) and Light Emitting Diode (LED) lights, with committed investment of Rs 863 crore.These companies were provisionally selected following the evaluation of 13 applications received in the 4th round of scheme for white goods.Key Details:Expected Outcomes: These selected companies are expected to achieve a total production of Rs 8,337.24 crore and create 1,799 additional direct jobs by Financial Year 2027-28 (FY28).So far, a total of 85 companies selected under the PLI scheme for white goods are expected to attract investments worth Rs 11,198 crore, leading to a combined production of Rs 1,90,050 crore over the scheme period.Key Investments: Kirloskar Pneumatic (Rs 320 crore); Indo Asia Copper Limited (Rs 258.97 crore); Kyron Technology (Rs 175 crore); Godrej & Boyce Manufacturing Company (Rs 58.69 crore); and Pranav Vikas (India) Pvt. Ltd. (Rs 50 crore)Key Components: Under this scheme, the companies will manufacture key components of ACs and LED.Like for ACs: compressors, copper tubes (plain and/or grooved), control assemblies, heat exchangers, among others.For LEDs: companies will produce components such as: LED chip packaging, LED light management, metalized films/capacitors, among others.About Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoC&I):Union Minister- Piyush Goyal (Constituency- Mumbai North, Maharashtra)Minister of State (MoS)- Jitin Prasada (Constituency- Pilibhit, Uttar Pradesh, UP)

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ECI Hosts India International Conference on Democracy and Election Management 2026 in New DelhiThe Election Commission of India (ECI) hosted the inaugural India International Conference on Democracy and Election Management (IICDEM 2026)at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi (Delhi) from 21-23 January 2026.The three-day international conference was organised by the India International Institute of Democracy and Election Management (IIIDEM) under the aegis of the ECI.IICDEM 2026 Overview:Theme: “Democracy for an inclusive, peaceful, resilient, and sustainable world”Inaugural Reception: The conference began with a formal reception, where Gyanesh Kumar, Chief Election Commissioner(CEC) along with Election Commissioners(EC) Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi, welcomed international delegates representing heads of election management bodies worldwide.Launch of ECINET: The ECI launched the ECINET (Election Commission of India Network) at the IICDEM 2026.ECINET provides voter registration, Know Your Candidate (KYC), e-Voter Identification(ID) cards (e-EPIC) download, and Book-a-Call facilities with Booth Level Officers (BLOs), while also offering services for Divyang (Saksham) citizens and access to election-related learning material.It has been developed in English along with all 22 scheduled languages of India.MoU Signed: India and Namibia signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on election management on the sidelines of IICDEM 2026.Adoption: On 23 January 2026, the ECI concluded the three-day IICDEM 2026 with the unanimous adoption of the ‘Delhi Declaration 2026’. The election management bodies (EMBs) agreed to collaborate on the five pillars of the declaration: purity of electoral rolls, conduct of elections, research and publications, use of technology, and training and capacity building.About India International Institute of Democracy & Election Management (IIIDEM):Establishment: The IIIDEM was established in 2011 to train and equip election officials and stakeholders for the conduct of free, fair, credible, and error-free elections.Location: Initially housed within the premises of the ECI, the Institute is now operating from a full-fledged campus at Dwarka, Delhi.

27 Jan, 2026

ECI Hosts India International Conference on Democracy and Election Management 2026 in New DelhiThe Election Commission of India (ECI) hosted the inaugural India International Conference on Democracy and Election Management (IICDEM 2026)at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi (Delhi) from 21-23 January 2026.The three-day international conference was organised by the India International Institute of Democracy and Election Management (IIIDEM) under the aegis of the ECI.IICDEM 2026 Overview:Theme: “Democracy for an inclusive, peaceful, resilient, and sustainable world”Inaugural Reception: The conference began with a formal reception, where Gyanesh Kumar, Chief Election Commissioner(CEC) along with Election Commissioners(EC) Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi, welcomed international delegates representing heads of election management bodies worldwide.Launch of ECINET: The ECI launched the ECINET (Election Commission of India Network) at the IICDEM 2026.ECINET provides voter registration, Know Your Candidate (KYC), e-Voter Identification(ID) cards (e-EPIC) download, and Book-a-Call facilities with Booth Level Officers (BLOs), while also offering services for Divyang (Saksham) citizens and access to election-related learning material.It has been developed in English along with all 22 scheduled languages of India.MoU Signed: India and Namibia signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on election management on the sidelines of IICDEM 2026.Adoption: On 23 January 2026, the ECI concluded the three-day IICDEM 2026 with the unanimous adoption of the ‘Delhi Declaration 2026’. The election management bodies (EMBs) agreed to collaborate on the five pillars of the declaration: purity of electoral rolls, conduct of elections, research and publications, use of technology, and training and capacity building.About India International Institute of Democracy & Election Management (IIIDEM):Establishment: The IIIDEM was established in 2011 to train and equip election officials and stakeholders for the conduct of free, fair, credible, and error-free elections.Location: Initially housed within the premises of the ECI, the Institute is now operating from a full-fledged campus at Dwarka, Delhi.

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Overview of PM Narendra Modi’s Visit to Kerala on January 23, 2026On January 23, 2026, Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi visited Kerala to lay foundation stones, inaugurate and flag off multiple development projects in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.Highlights of PM Narendra Modi’s Visit to Kerala:Rail Connectivity: He flagged off four new trains from Thiruvananthapuram, including three Amrit Bharat Express trains in routes such as 705-kilometre (km) Nagercoil (Tamil Nadu, TN) – Mangaluru (Karnataka), 768-km Thiruvananthapuram- Tambaram (TN), and 1,488-km Thiruvananthapuram-Charlapalli, and one passenger train from Thrissur-Guruvayur (Kerala) of 23 km.PM SVANidhi Credit Card: During the visit, PM Narendra Modi launched the Pradhan Mantri Street Vendor’s AtmaNirbhar Nidhi (PM SVANidhi) Credit Card, a Unified Payment Interface (UPI)-linked, interest free revolving credit facility tailored to provide easier and quicker access to finances for street vendors, Hawkers, and others in the urban informal sector.He also disbursed PM SVANidhi loans to one lakh beneficiaries, marking a significant expansion in financial inclusion.CSIR-NIIST Innovation, Technology & Entrepreneurship Hub: PM Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone for an innovation and entrepreneurship hub at the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)- National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology (NIIST) in Thiruvananthapuram.Radiosurgery Centre at SCTIMST: He also laid foundation stone for a modern Radiosurgery Centre at the Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology (SCTIMST), in Thiruvananthapuram.Head Post Office: During the visit to Kerala, he inaugurated the new, modern Poojappura Head Post Office, which will offer a wide range of citizen services, including postal services, banking, insurance, and digital services.

27 Jan, 2026

Overview of PM Narendra Modi’s Visit to Kerala on January 23, 2026On January 23, 2026, Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi visited Kerala to lay foundation stones, inaugurate and flag off multiple development projects in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.Highlights of PM Narendra Modi’s Visit to Kerala:Rail Connectivity: He flagged off four new trains from Thiruvananthapuram, including three Amrit Bharat Express trains in routes such as 705-kilometre (km) Nagercoil (Tamil Nadu, TN) – Mangaluru (Karnataka), 768-km Thiruvananthapuram- Tambaram (TN), and 1,488-km Thiruvananthapuram-Charlapalli, and one passenger train from Thrissur-Guruvayur (Kerala) of 23 km.PM SVANidhi Credit Card: During the visit, PM Narendra Modi launched the Pradhan Mantri Street Vendor’s AtmaNirbhar Nidhi (PM SVANidhi) Credit Card, a Unified Payment Interface (UPI)-linked, interest free revolving credit facility tailored to provide easier and quicker access to finances for street vendors, Hawkers, and others in the urban informal sector.He also disbursed PM SVANidhi loans to one lakh beneficiaries, marking a significant expansion in financial inclusion.CSIR-NIIST Innovation, Technology & Entrepreneurship Hub: PM Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone for an innovation and entrepreneurship hub at the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)- National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology (NIIST) in Thiruvananthapuram.Radiosurgery Centre at SCTIMST: He also laid foundation stone for a modern Radiosurgery Centre at the Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology (SCTIMST), in Thiruvananthapuram.Head Post Office: During the visit to Kerala, he inaugurated the new, modern Poojappura Head Post Office, which will offer a wide range of citizen services, including postal services, banking, insurance, and digital services.

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Beti Bachao Beti Padhao Campaign Completed 11 YearsOn January 22 2026, the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) scheme, a flagship initiative of Government of India (GoI) which aims to protect, educate, and empower the girl child in India, completed 11 years of successful implementation.About Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) scheme:Launch: The scheme was originally launched by Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi on January 22, 2015 in Panipat, Haryana.Nature of Scheme: It is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) which means 100% funding by the Central Government in all districts of the country under Sambal vertical of ‘Mission Shakti’.Aim: To address the decreasing Child Sex Ratio (CSR), prevent gender -biased sex-selective elimination and promote the survival, protection and education of the girl child.Key Ministries Involved: Originally, the scheme was a joint initiative of the Ministry of Women and Child Development (MoWCD), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) and the Ministry of Education (MoE).Later, MoWCD collaborated with the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) and Ministry of Minority Affairs (MoMA) to expand the scope of BBBP.Key Progress Made under BBBP Scheme:Improvement in SRB: As per GoI’s data, due to the efforts made under BBBP scheme, the Sex Ratio at Birth (SRB) has increased from around 918 (in 2014-15) to 930 (in 2023-24) at the national level.Increase in GER for Girls: Also, the Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) for girls at the secondary level (Class 9-10) in India has witnessed significant improvement, increasing from 75.51% (in 2014-15) to 78.0% (in 2023-24).In addition to that, as per the UDISE report, the GER of girls at secondary level has increased to 80.2% (in 2024-25).

27 Jan, 2026

Beti Bachao Beti Padhao Campaign Completed 11 YearsOn January 22 2026, the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) scheme, a flagship initiative of Government of India (GoI) which aims to protect, educate, and empower the girl child in India, completed 11 years of successful implementation.About Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) scheme:Launch: The scheme was originally launched by Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi on January 22, 2015 in Panipat, Haryana.Nature of Scheme: It is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) which means 100% funding by the Central Government in all districts of the country under Sambal vertical of ‘Mission Shakti’.Aim: To address the decreasing Child Sex Ratio (CSR), prevent gender -biased sex-selective elimination and promote the survival, protection and education of the girl child.Key Ministries Involved: Originally, the scheme was a joint initiative of the Ministry of Women and Child Development (MoWCD), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) and the Ministry of Education (MoE).Later, MoWCD collaborated with the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) and Ministry of Minority Affairs (MoMA) to expand the scope of BBBP.Key Progress Made under BBBP Scheme:Improvement in SRB: As per GoI’s data, due to the efforts made under BBBP scheme, the Sex Ratio at Birth (SRB) has increased from around 918 (in 2014-15) to 930 (in 2023-24) at the national level.Increase in GER for Girls: Also, the Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) for girls at the secondary level (Class 9-10) in India has witnessed significant improvement, increasing from 75.51% (in 2014-15) to 78.0% (in 2023-24).In addition to that, as per the UDISE report, the GER of girls at secondary level has increased to 80.2% (in 2024-25).

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Uttarakhand and ITBP Signs MoU to Launch Healthy Border CampaignIn January 2026, the Government of Uttarakhand signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) to launch the ‘Healthy Border Campaign(Swasth Seema Abhiyan)’, aimed at delivering integrated primary healthcare services to residents of 108 border villages.The MoU was signed in the presence of Pushkar Singh Dhami, Chief Minister(CM) of Uttarakhand in Dehradun(Uttarakhand).What: MoU signedSigned between: ITBP and the Government of UttarakhandPurpose: To launch Healthy Border Campaign (Swasth Seema Abhiyan)Objective: Provide integrated primary healthcare to 108 border villagesPhase 1: Border districts of Pithoragarh, Chamoli and Uttarkashi.About Healthy Border Campaign:First Phase: The first phase of this initiative will be implemented in the border districts of Pithoragarh, Chamoli and Uttarkashi of Uttarakhand.Key Roles:The Department of Medical Health and Family Welfare, Government of Uttarakhand will provide demographic data and initial medical equipment, ensure a continuous supply of medicines, communication support, and equipment replacement.Under the MoU, ITBP will deploy qualified doctors and paramedical staff, provide Medical Inspection (MI) Rooms and telemedicine facilities, conduct regular village visits, manage medical health records, equipment, and consumables.Local Procurement: Under this arrangement, items including live sheep and goats, live poultry, Himalayan trout, fresh milk, paneer, and Total Protein Meals(TPM) are being sourced through various cooperative institutions.

24 Jan, 2026

Uttarakhand and ITBP Signs MoU to Launch Healthy Border CampaignIn January 2026, the Government of Uttarakhand signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) to launch the ‘Healthy Border Campaign(Swasth Seema Abhiyan)’, aimed at delivering integrated primary healthcare services to residents of 108 border villages.The MoU was signed in the presence of Pushkar Singh Dhami, Chief Minister(CM) of Uttarakhand in Dehradun(Uttarakhand).What: MoU signedSigned between: ITBP and the Government of UttarakhandPurpose: To launch Healthy Border Campaign (Swasth Seema Abhiyan)Objective: Provide integrated primary healthcare to 108 border villagesPhase 1: Border districts of Pithoragarh, Chamoli and Uttarkashi.About Healthy Border Campaign:First Phase: The first phase of this initiative will be implemented in the border districts of Pithoragarh, Chamoli and Uttarkashi of Uttarakhand.Key Roles:The Department of Medical Health and Family Welfare, Government of Uttarakhand will provide demographic data and initial medical equipment, ensure a continuous supply of medicines, communication support, and equipment replacement.Under the MoU, ITBP will deploy qualified doctors and paramedical staff, provide Medical Inspection (MI) Rooms and telemedicine facilities, conduct regular village visits, manage medical health records, equipment, and consumables.Local Procurement: Under this arrangement, items including live sheep and goats, live poultry, Himalayan trout, fresh milk, paneer, and Total Protein Meals(TPM) are being sourced through various cooperative institutions.

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Goa Govt Signs MoU with Starlink for Digital Connectivity and Disaster ResilienceIn January 2026, the Department of Information Technology, Electronics & Communications (DITE&C), Government of Goa, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Starlink Satellite Communications Private Limited (SSCPL) (Starlink India) to strengthen the digital infrastructure, connectivity, and disaster resilience of the state by leveraging satellite-based broadband solutions.The MoU was signed in the presence of Dr. Pramod Sawant, Chief Minister (CM) of Goa; Prabhakar Jayakumar, Head, Starlink India and others.What? MoU signedBy whom? DITE&C (Goa) and Starlink IndiaPurpose: To strengthen satellite-based connectivity and disaster resilienceFocus Areas: Rural connectivity, smart governance, and public infrastructure.Key Details of MoU:Scope: Under the MoU, the Government of Goa, and Starlink will explore collaboration in key focus areas including digital connectivity, disaster resilience, and smart governance initiatives across the state.Focus: The initiatives focus on providing connectivity to select government schools, healthcare facilities, and disaster management centres.Development: The collaboration will enable connectivity solutions for public infrastructure and services, supporting tourism and coastal development.Enablement: Build local capacity through training programs and leverage Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite technology to deliver affordable, low-latency, high-speed broadband for public benefit use cases.

24 Jan, 2026

Goa Govt Signs MoU with Starlink for Digital Connectivity and Disaster ResilienceIn January 2026, the Department of Information Technology, Electronics & Communications (DITE&C), Government of Goa, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Starlink Satellite Communications Private Limited (SSCPL) (Starlink India) to strengthen the digital infrastructure, connectivity, and disaster resilience of the state by leveraging satellite-based broadband solutions.The MoU was signed in the presence of Dr. Pramod Sawant, Chief Minister (CM) of Goa; Prabhakar Jayakumar, Head, Starlink India and others.What? MoU signedBy whom? DITE&C (Goa) and Starlink IndiaPurpose: To strengthen satellite-based connectivity and disaster resilienceFocus Areas: Rural connectivity, smart governance, and public infrastructure.Key Details of MoU:Scope: Under the MoU, the Government of Goa, and Starlink will explore collaboration in key focus areas including digital connectivity, disaster resilience, and smart governance initiatives across the state.Focus: The initiatives focus on providing connectivity to select government schools, healthcare facilities, and disaster management centres.Development: The collaboration will enable connectivity solutions for public infrastructure and services, supporting tourism and coastal development.Enablement: Build local capacity through training programs and leverage Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite technology to deliver affordable, low-latency, high-speed broadband for public benefit use cases.

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Parakram Diwas 2026 – January 23Parakram Diwas, also known as the Day of Valour, is observed annually across India on 23 January to commemorate the birth anniversary of Indian freedom fighter Subhash Chandra Bose, popularly known as Netaji.23 January 2026 marks the 129th birth anniversary of Subhash Chandra Bose.Background:Declaration: In 2021, the Government of India (GoI) designated 23 January, the birth anniversary of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, as Parakram Diwas to honour his contributions to the Indian independence movement.First Observance: The first Parakram Diwas was celebrated on 23 January 2021.Event 2026:Overview: On January 23, 2026, the Ministry of Culture, is organizing Parakram Diwas–2026 from January 23 to 25, 2026, at Sri Vijaya Puram, Andaman and Nicobar (A&N) Islands, to commemorate the 129th birth anniversary of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose.Chief Guest: Admiral D.K. Joshi (Retd.), Lieutenant Governor (LG) of A&N Islands.Subhash Chandra Bose Aapda Prabandhan Puraskar 2026:On 23rd January 2026, the Ministry of Home Affairs, (MHA), announced the recipients of the Subhash Chandra Bose Aapda Prabandhan Puraskar 2026 in recognition of outstanding contributions in the field of Disaster Management.Awardees:Institutional Category: Sikkim State Disaster Management Authority (SSDMA)Individual Category: Lieutenant Colonel Seeta Ashok Shelke, Indian Army (IA).

24 Jan, 2026

Parakram Diwas 2026 – January 23Parakram Diwas, also known as the Day of Valour, is observed annually across India on 23 January to commemorate the birth anniversary of Indian freedom fighter Subhash Chandra Bose, popularly known as Netaji.23 January 2026 marks the 129th birth anniversary of Subhash Chandra Bose.Background:Declaration: In 2021, the Government of India (GoI) designated 23 January, the birth anniversary of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, as Parakram Diwas to honour his contributions to the Indian independence movement.First Observance: The first Parakram Diwas was celebrated on 23 January 2021.Event 2026:Overview: On January 23, 2026, the Ministry of Culture, is organizing Parakram Diwas–2026 from January 23 to 25, 2026, at Sri Vijaya Puram, Andaman and Nicobar (A&N) Islands, to commemorate the 129th birth anniversary of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose.Chief Guest: Admiral D.K. Joshi (Retd.), Lieutenant Governor (LG) of A&N Islands.Subhash Chandra Bose Aapda Prabandhan Puraskar 2026:On 23rd January 2026, the Ministry of Home Affairs, (MHA), announced the recipients of the Subhash Chandra Bose Aapda Prabandhan Puraskar 2026 in recognition of outstanding contributions in the field of Disaster Management.Awardees:Institutional Category: Sikkim State Disaster Management Authority (SSDMA)Individual Category: Lieutenant Colonel Seeta Ashok Shelke, Indian Army (IA).

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Former Indian Football Team Defender Ilyas Pasha Passed AwayOn 22 January 2026, former Indian football team defender and East Bengal legend Ilyas Pasha passed away at the age of 61 in Bengaluru, Karnataka. He was born in 1964 in Bengaluru, Karnataka.What? Former Indian Football Team Defender Passed AwayWho? Ilyas PashaWhen? On 22 January 2026Where? Bengaluru, KarnatakaAward: East Bengal Lifetime Achievement Award (2012).Domestic Achievement: Won two Santosh Trophy titles with Bengal (1993, 1995).About Ilyas Pasha:Early Career: He began his career in Bengaluru and played as a disciplined right wing-back noted for tactical awareness.International: He debuted for India on 27 January 1987 against Bulgaria in the Nehru Cup at Kozhikode (Kerala) and earned eight caps, featuring in the Nehru Cup (1987, 1991), SAF Games (1991), and Asian Cup qualifiers (1992).Domestic: He started with Vinayaka Football Club and Indian Telephone Industries, represented Karnataka in the Santosh Trophy (1987–1989), and later won the title with Bengal in 1993 and 1995.EastBengal: Joining East Bengal in 1990, he captained the side in 1993–94, was part of the club’s golden era (1990–1998), and won multiple titles including Calcutta Football League, Indian Football Association Shield, Durand Cup, Federation Cup (1996), Super Cup (1996–97), and the Wai Wai Cup (1993).Honours: He was a member of East Bengal’s Triple Crown-winning team in 1990 and received the club’s Lifetime Achievement Award in 2012.

24 Jan, 2026

Former Indian Football Team Defender Ilyas Pasha Passed AwayOn 22 January 2026, former Indian football team defender and East Bengal legend Ilyas Pasha passed away at the age of 61 in Bengaluru, Karnataka. He was born in 1964 in Bengaluru, Karnataka.What? Former Indian Football Team Defender Passed AwayWho? Ilyas PashaWhen? On 22 January 2026Where? Bengaluru, KarnatakaAward: East Bengal Lifetime Achievement Award (2012).Domestic Achievement: Won two Santosh Trophy titles with Bengal (1993, 1995).About Ilyas Pasha:Early Career: He began his career in Bengaluru and played as a disciplined right wing-back noted for tactical awareness.International: He debuted for India on 27 January 1987 against Bulgaria in the Nehru Cup at Kozhikode (Kerala) and earned eight caps, featuring in the Nehru Cup (1987, 1991), SAF Games (1991), and Asian Cup qualifiers (1992).Domestic: He started with Vinayaka Football Club and Indian Telephone Industries, represented Karnataka in the Santosh Trophy (1987–1989), and later won the title with Bengal in 1993 and 1995.EastBengal: Joining East Bengal in 1990, he captained the side in 1993–94, was part of the club’s golden era (1990–1998), and won multiple titles including Calcutta Football League, Indian Football Association Shield, Durand Cup, Federation Cup (1996), Super Cup (1996–97), and the Wai Wai Cup (1993).Honours: He was a member of East Bengal’s Triple Crown-winning team in 1990 and received the club’s Lifetime Achievement Award in 2012.

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ZSI Discovered Rare Caecilian Species in Northern Western GhatsIn January 2026, a team of scientists led by the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI), Western Regional Centre, Pune, announced the discovery of a new species of subterranean amphibian, named Gegeneophis valmiki, from the northern Western Ghats of Maharashtra, marks the first discovery within the genus Gegeneophis in over a decade.The findings were published in the international journal Phyllomedusa.What? Discovery of Gegeneophis valmikiBy Whom? Zoological Survey of India (ZSI), PuneWhere? Northern Western Ghats of MaharashtraPublication: Phyllomedusa journalFirst Discovered in: 2017Significance: First species of genus Gegeneophis discovered in over 10 yearsAbout the discovery of Gegeneophis valmiki:First Discovery: The species was first collected in 2017 by K P Dinesh, senior scientist at ZSI, during surveys on the Valmiki Plateau in Maharashtra’s Satara district.Taxonomy: Gegeneophis valmiki is a blind caecilian belonging to the family Grandisoniidae under the order Gymnophiona.Morphology: It is a limbless, worm-like amphibian about 160 millimeter (mm) long with dark bluish-grey skin, ring-like annuli, and eyes concealed beneath bone as a fossorial adaptation.Habitat: The species inhabits underground soil and humus at the base of lateritic plateaus in the Satara region of the Western Ghats.Ecology: Named after the Maharshi Valmiki Mandir near Paneri, Palashi (Maharashtra), the species aerates soil by burrowing, controls soil invertebrates, and serves as prey for birds, reptiles, and small mammals.

24 Jan, 2026

ZSI Discovered Rare Caecilian Species in Northern Western GhatsIn January 2026, a team of scientists led by the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI), Western Regional Centre, Pune, announced the discovery of a new species of subterranean amphibian, named Gegeneophis valmiki, from the northern Western Ghats of Maharashtra, marks the first discovery within the genus Gegeneophis in over a decade.The findings were published in the international journal Phyllomedusa.What? Discovery of Gegeneophis valmikiBy Whom? Zoological Survey of India (ZSI), PuneWhere? Northern Western Ghats of MaharashtraPublication: Phyllomedusa journalFirst Discovered in: 2017Significance: First species of genus Gegeneophis discovered in over 10 yearsAbout the discovery of Gegeneophis valmiki:First Discovery: The species was first collected in 2017 by K P Dinesh, senior scientist at ZSI, during surveys on the Valmiki Plateau in Maharashtra’s Satara district.Taxonomy: Gegeneophis valmiki is a blind caecilian belonging to the family Grandisoniidae under the order Gymnophiona.Morphology: It is a limbless, worm-like amphibian about 160 millimeter (mm) long with dark bluish-grey skin, ring-like annuli, and eyes concealed beneath bone as a fossorial adaptation.Habitat: The species inhabits underground soil and humus at the base of lateritic plateaus in the Satara region of the Western Ghats.Ecology: Named after the Maharshi Valmiki Mandir near Paneri, Palashi (Maharashtra), the species aerates soil by burrowing, controls soil invertebrates, and serves as prey for birds, reptiles, and small mammals.

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