National News

India Celebrates 77th Republic Day on 26 January 2026

• India marked its 77th Republic Day on January 26, 2026, commemorating the adoption of the Constitution of India on January 26, 1950, with grand celebrations held at Kartavya Path (formerly Rajpath) in New Delhi. President Droupadi Murmu unfurled the National Flag, followed by the National Anthem and a 21-gun salute executed using 105-millimeter Light Field Guns by the 1721 Ceremonial Battery of the 172 Field Regiment.
• The celebrations were held under the theme “150 Years of Vande Mataram,” with Prime Minister Narendra Modi paying tribute at the National War Memorial before witnessing the parade. In a historic first, Antonio Costa, President of the European Council, and Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, participated as Chief Guests, marking the first time top EU leaders were invited together to India’s Republic Day celebrations.
• Oscar-winning composer M.M. Keeravani composed a special musical piece for the Republic Day Parade 2026, with the performance marking the 150th anniversary of Vande Mataram. The parade was commanded by Lieutenant General Bhavnish Kumar, General Officer Commanding, Delhi Area, a second-generation officer, while Major General Navraj Dhillon served as Parade Second-in-Command.
• The Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) showcased its first Long Range Anti-Ship Hypersonic Missile (LR-AShM), a hypersonic glide missile designed primarily to meet the coastal defence needs of the Indian Navy. The Bharat Parv festival was organized at Red Fort from January 26-31, 2026, by the Ministry of Tourism, showcasing Republic Day tableaux, regional cuisine, handicrafts, handlooms, and cultural performances.
• The Beating Retreat ceremony is scheduled for January 29, 2026, at Vijay Chowk in New Delhi, marking the formal end of Republic Day celebrations and following the centuries-old military tradition of troops ceasing battle, sheathing arms, and returning to camp at sunset.

National News

Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia Launches Multiple Developmental Projects in North Eastern Region

• Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, heading the Ministry for Development of North Eastern Region (MDoNER) and Ministry of Communications, inaugurated multiple development projects in January 2026 to promote economic growth and employment across the North Eastern Region (NER), representing a significant investment in the region’s infrastructure and economic development.
• The Minister laid the foundation stone for the Rs 450 crore Matabari Tourism Circuit project at Narkel Kunja near Dumboor Lake in Tripura, which will integrate the Tripura Sundari Temple, Chabimura, and Dumbur Lake. This initiative aims to position Tripura as a key destination on the global spiritual and eco-tourism map, with Rs 276 crore of the total project outlay contributed by the MDoNER.
• The Agarwood Value Chain Development Scheme (AVCDS) was launched in North Fulkabari, Tripura, with a financial outlay of Rs 80 crores, featuring two Central Processing Centres (CPCs)—one in Golaghat, Assam, and another in Tripura. This scheme is designed to develop the agarwood industry and create employment opportunities in the region.
• Two major bamboo sector projects with a combined outlay of Rs 82.5 crores were launched in Guwahati, Assam, aiming to transform the North Eastern Region into a national hub for sustainable bamboo-based products. The projects are being executed by the North East Cane and Bamboo Development Council (NECBDC) in collaboration with MDoNER, North Eastern Council (NEC), and strategic private sector partners including Amazon, Flipkart, and All Time Plastics.

National News

Ministry of Panchayati Raj Facilitates Panchayat Leaders and Launches Key Initiatives in New Delhi

• On January 25, 2026, Minister of State Prof. S.P. Singh Baghel of the Ministry of Panchayati Raj (MoPR) honored approximately 240 elected Panchayat representatives, including Sarpanches, Mukhiyas, Gram Pradhans, and Block and District Panchayat Presidents, who were invited as special guests for Republic Day celebrations in New Delhi. These leaders were recognized from Panchayats that have achieved saturation in flagship Central Government schemes.
• The MoPR launched PANCHAM (Panchayat Assistance & Messaging Chatbot), developed in collaboration with UNICEF, designed as a digital companion for Panchayats to provide timely and contextual guidance, simplified workflows, and easy access to information supporting day-to-day governance and service delivery functions. This chatbot establishes a direct digital connection between the Government of India and over 30 lakh Elected Representatives and Panchayat Functionaries across the country.
• The Ministry released the PESA (Panchayats Extension to Scheduled Areas Act, 1996) State Rankings for 2024-25, with Maharashtra securing first position in PESA implementation, followed by Madhya Pradesh in second position and Himachal Pradesh in third position. This ranking system evaluates states’ effectiveness in implementing provisions that extend Panchayati Raj to Scheduled Areas.
• Several key publications were unveiled during the event, including the 17th edition of Gramoday Sankalp magazine, the Compendium of Basic Statistics on Panchayati Raj Institutions – 2025, and the Expert Committee Report on Service Delivery at the Panchayat level. The event was attended by Vivek Bharadwaj, Secretary of MoPR, and other senior officials of the Ministry.

State News

Government of Rajasthan Launches Raj-UNNATI to Monitor Development Projects

• In January 2026, the Government of Rajasthan launched Raj-UNNATI, a state-level digital governance platform inspired by the Pro-Active Governance and Timely Implementation (PRAGATI) model of the Government of India, making Rajasthan the first Indian state to replicate the PRAGATI governance framework at the regional level.
• Raj-UNNATI is designed to monitor and track fast-track development projects and government schemes using digital tools that integrate real-time data, performance tracking, and coordination among departments. The platform replicates the successful PRAGATI model that was initiated by the Government of India in 2014 as an e-governance and monitoring platform for overseeing key infrastructure and development projects in real time.
• The primary objectives of Raj-UNNATI include fast-tracking development by resolving long-pending project issues, eliminating administrative delays, ensuring time-bound implementation of Central and State schemes, and enabling structured resolution of public grievances. The platform integrates technology, administration, and coordination to reduce delays in public service delivery.
• This initiative represents a significant step toward digital governance transformation in Rajasthan, leveraging technology to enhance accountability, transparency, and efficiency in the implementation of development projects across the state, ultimately benefiting citizens through improved service delivery and project completion timelines.

State News

Bombay Natural History Society Signs MoU with Jharkhand to Conserve Critically Endangered Vulture Species

• In January 2026, the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) signed a five-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Chief Wildlife Warden of Jharkhand to strengthen the conservation of critically endangered vulture species in the state. The MoU was signed by Paritosh Upadhyay, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests & Chief Wildlife Warden of Jharkhand, and Kishor Rithe, Director of BNHS, in Mumbai, Maharashtra.
• The collaboration aims to boost scientific breeding, monitoring, capacity-building, and long-term protection of two critically endangered vulture species in India: the Oriental White-backed Vulture and the Long-billed Vulture. The primary focus is to strengthen the operations of the Vulture Conservation and Breeding Centre (VCBC) in Muta, near Ranchi, enhancing efforts to protect and breed these critically endangered species.
• Under the terms of the MoU, BNHS will provide technical expertise for captive breeding, support training for field and veterinary staff, guide health monitoring and best practices for conservation, and transfer breeding stocks from BNHS centres to Jharkhand’s facility. This scientific and technical support is crucial for establishing robust breeding programs in the state.
• The Jharkhand forest department will be responsible for running the local conservation breeding centre and implementing conservation activities on the ground with support from BNHS. This partnership represents a significant step in India’s efforts to prevent the extinction of vulture species, which have suffered catastrophic population declines due to veterinary drug poisoning and habitat loss over recent decades.

Rank and Reports News

UNEP’s Report State of Finances for Nature 2026 Reveals Harmful Investments Outpace Nature Protection by 30 to 1

• In January 2026, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) released the fourth edition of its report titled “State of Finances for Nature: Nature in the Red – Powering the Trillion Dollar Nature Transition Economy,” based on global financial data from 2023. The report reveals that for every USD 1 invested in protecting nature, approximately USD 30 is spent on activities that harm it, highlighting a massive imbalance in global financial flows.
• The report shows that in 2023, global spending on activities harmful to nature totaled around USD 7.3 trillion, with USD 4.9 trillion contributed by the private sector, primarily concentrated in sectors such as energy, utilities, industrial manufacturing, and basic materials. By 2024, private sector nature-negative spending rose further to USD 5.5 trillion, representing a 12% increase and demonstrating an alarming upward trend.
• Public and private finance for Nature-based Solutions (NbS) reached USD 220 billion in 2023, representing only a 5% increase from 2022, with public finance of USD 197 billion serving as the main source of NbS investment while private finance of USD 23.4 billion remained comparatively limited. Regionally, Asia led government spending on NbS in 2023 with investments totaling USD 93 billion, while North America recorded the largest year-on-year increase at more than 19%.
• The report warns that this ratio of more than 30:1 in favor of nature-negative activities is fueling the “triple planetary crisis” of climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution. To address this critical imbalance, the report introduces the Nature Transition X-Curve, a new framework designed to help policymakers and businesses reform capital flows, sequence policy actions, and scale up high-integrity Nature-based Solutions across all sectors of the economy.

World Bank Approves Rs 5,700 Crore for Jal Sanrakshit Haryana Project

• In January 2026, the World Bank approved technical and financial support of Rs 5,700 crore for the “Jal Sanrakshit Haryana Project” to help the state achieve self-reliance in water resources management. The funds will be disbursed in phases from 2026 to 2032, facilitating long-term planning and execution of various water management components across the state.

• The project includes comprehensive canal restoration plans, with 892 out of 1,570 main canals in Haryana already restored and the remaining 678 planned for completion within five years. Additionally, out of 15,562 minor canals managed by the Micro Irrigation & Command Area Development Authority, 4,487 have been restored over the past 20 years, while the remaining 1,961 minor canals are planned for restoration over the next five years.

• A significant component of the project involves micro-irrigation expansion, with World Bank funding of Rs 900 crore allocated for installing micro-irrigation systems across approximately 70,000 acres of agricultural land in Haryana. This initiative aims to promote water-efficient agricultural practices and improve irrigation efficiency across the state.

• Separately, the World Bank also approved a USD 815 million long-term financing package for the 1,125 MW Dorjilung Hydropower Project in Bhutan, a Public-Private Partnership in which Tata Power Company Limited holds a 40% stake and Bhutan’s Druk Green Power Corporation holds 60%. The financing package includes a USD 150 million grant and a USD 150 million credit from the International Development Association (IDA), along with a USD 15 million enclave loan from the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD).

Awards and Recognitions News

Padma Awards 2026: President Approves 131 Padma Awards

• On January 25, 2026, the Ministry of Home Affairs announced the Padma Awards for 2026, with President Droupadi Murmu approving the conferment of 131 Padma Awards, including 5 Padma Vibhushan, 13 Padma Bhushan, and 113 Padma Shri awardees (including 2 duo cases where the award is counted as one). The list includes 19 women awardees, 6 persons from the category of foreigners, Non-Resident Indians, Persons of Indian Origin, or Overseas Citizens of India, and 16 posthumous awardees.
• Among the states, Maharashtra received the highest number of Padma awards with 15 recipients, followed by Tamil Nadu with 13, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal with 11 each, and Kerala with 8 awards. This distribution reflects the geographic diversity and contributions across various states to India’s cultural, social, and public life.
• Prominent Padma Vibhushan winners include veteran actor Dharmendra Singh Deol (Arts, Maharashtra) and former Chief Minister of Kerala V.S. Achuthanandan (Public Affairs, Kerala), both receiving the award posthumously. Other distinguished recipients include former Supreme Court Judge K.T. Thomas (Kerala), educationist P. Narayanan (Literature and Education, Kerala), and violinist N. Rajam (Art).
• Notable Padma Bhushan winners include Shibu Soren (posthumous), founder of Jharkhand Mukti Morcha party and former Chief Minister of Jharkhand; Bhagat Singh Koshyari, former Chief Minister of Uttarakhand; renowned Malayalam actor Mammootty; famous playback singer Alka Yagnik; and banker Uday Kotak. Among Padma Shri recipients are sports personalities including former Indian Test Cricket captain Rohit Sharma, Indian Women’s cricket team captain Harmanpreet Kaur Bhullar, para-high jumper Praveen Kumar, hockey player Savita Punia, and Indian women’s hockey team coach Baldev Singh.

Appointments and Resignations News

Veteran Indian Sports Administrator Randhir Singh Steps Down as President of OCA

• In January 2026, veteran Indian sports administrator and five-time Olympic shooter Randhir Singh announced the premature end of his tenure as President of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) due to health issues. Following his resignation, OCA members elected Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, currently serving as President of the Qatar Olympic Committee, as their new President during the General Assembly in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.
• Randhir Singh made history in September 2024 by becoming the first Indian to be elected as President of the OCA for a four-year term (until 2028) during the 44th General Assembly held in New Delhi. Prior to this historic appointment, he had served as acting President of the continental body since 2021, filling in for Kuwait’s Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah, who was handed a 15-year ban due to ethics violations.
• During his distinguished career in sports administration, Singh held various prestigious positions including serving as Secretary General of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) from 1987 to 2012, a remarkable 25-year tenure. He also served as a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) between 2001 and 2014 and later continued as an honorary member of the international sports body.
• His resignation marks the end of an era for Indian sports administration at the Asian continental level, though his contributions to developing and promoting sports infrastructure, governance, and international relations in Asian sports will continue to be recognized and celebrated across the sporting community.

Obituary News

Veteran Journalist and Padma Awardee Mark Tully Passed Away

• Veteran journalist and renowned broadcaster Sir William Mark Tully, widely known as the BBC’s “voice of India,” passed away in January 2026 at the age of 90 in New Delhi. Born on October 24, 1935, in Tollygunge, Calcutta (now Kolkata, West Bengal), during British-ruled India, Tully was honored with the Padma Shri in 1992 in the field of Literature and Education, and the Padma Bhushan in 2005, India’s third-highest civilian honor, also in Literature and Education.
• Tully joined the BBC in the 1960s and was posted to India as a junior administrative assistant in 1965, eventually serving as Bureau Chief for BBC New Delhi for 22 years. During this extensive period, he became one of the most respected foreign correspondents covering the Indian subcontinent, making India his permanent home and developing an unparalleled understanding of Indian society, politics, and culture.
• Throughout his several-decades-long career in journalism, Tully covered the most turbulent and defining events in South Asian history, including the 1971 Bangladesh war, the Emergency between 1975 and 1977, Operation Blue Star, the assassination of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and the subsequent anti-Sikh riots in 1984, the Bhopal Gas tragedy in 1984, the assassination of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi in 1991, and the demolition of the Babri Masjid in 1992.
• Beyond his distinguished journalism career, Tully was also a renowned author who wrote several acclaimed books on India, including “No Full Stops in India,” “India in Slow Motion,” and “The Heart of India,” which provided deep insights into Indian society and culture. He was knighted (KBE) by the British government in 2002 for his exceptional services to journalism, cementing his legacy as one of the most influential voices interpreting India to the world.

Obituary News

Former BCCI President Inderjit Singh Bindra Passed Away

• Former president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Inderjit Singh Bindra, a key architect of modern cricket marketing and administration in India, passed away in January 2026 at the age of 84 in New Delhi. A retired Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer who served in the Punjab cadre, Bindra transitioned from civil service to become one of the most influential figures in Indian cricket administration.
• Bindra served as President of the Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) from 1978 to 2014, marking one of the longest tenures in cricket administration history spanning 36 years. He served as BCCI President from 1993 to 1996, during which he modernized the organization’s operations, governance, and commercial strategy, significantly strengthening Indian cricket’s global stature and establishing foundations for its commercial success.
• He played a pivotal role in bringing the 1987 and 1996 ICC Cricket World Cups to India, significantly elevating the country’s profile in international cricket. In 1994, Bindra implemented groundbreaking commercial reforms by ending Doordarshan’s cricket monopoly, bringing ESPN and TWI to India, which expanded the cricket market globally and revolutionized cricket broadcasting in the country.
• Beyond his domestic contributions, Bindra served as Principal Adviser to the International Cricket Council (ICC) and retired from cricket administration in 2014. In recognition of his outstanding contributions as a cricket administrator, the PCA stadium was renamed IS Bindra Stadium in 2015, ensuring his legacy in Punjab cricket would be permanently commemorated. His vision and reforms laid the groundwork for cricket’s transformation into India’s most lucrative sport.

Important Days News

National Voters’ Day 2026 – January 25

• National Voters’ Day (NVD) is observed annually across India on January 25 to commemorate the establishment of the Election Commission of India (ECI) in 1950 and to promote the importance of voting, electoral participation, and voter registration, especially among youth. January 25, 2026, marks the 16th NVD and commemorates 76 years of service of the ECI, with the 2026 theme being “My India, My Vote” with the tagline “Citizen at the Heart of Indian Democracy.”
• The observance of NVD was approved in 2011 during a Cabinet meeting chaired by then Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, with the first celebration held in 2011 to commemorate the foundation day of the ECI, a permanent constitutional body established on January 25, 1950, under Article 324 of the Indian Constitution. The initiative was designed to encourage greater electoral participation and celebrate the democratic process.
• On January 26, 2026, the ECI celebrated the 16th National Voters’ Day in New Delhi, with President Droupadi Murmu as Chief Guest and Union Minister of State Arjun Ram Meghwal as Guest of Honour. The event was led by Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar along with Election Commissioners Dr. Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Dr. Vivek Joshi, during which President Murmu conferred the Best Electoral Practices Awards 2025 across multiple categories.
• Two significant publications were released during the event: “2025: A Year of Initiatives and Innovations” and “Chunav Ka Parv, Bihar Ka Garv,” highlighting the successful conduct of General Elections in Bihar. A special exhibition was organized showcasing electoral roll preparation, conduct of elections, and key voter-centric initiatives of the ECI, demonstrating the evolution and modernization of India’s electoral processes.

Important Days News

National Tourism Day 2026 – January 25

• National Tourism Day is observed annually across India on January 25 to highlight the crucial role of tourism in India’s economy and promote the preservation of cultural heritage and the country’s diverse tourist destinations. The day emphasizes tourism’s contribution to economic growth, employment generation, and cultural exchange while encouraging sustainable tourism practices.
• The Tourist Traffic Committee, established in 1948, initiated the observance of National Tourism Day to promote tourism across India. On January 25, 1949, the Government of India officially declared this date as National Tourism Day, coinciding with the formation of the Ministry of Tourism, establishing a dedicated governmental focus on developing India’s tourism sector.
• The significance of this day was further reinforced in 1982 when the Government of India officially recognized the role of tourism in driving India’s economic growth, making it a vision to further boost tourism development. The day serves as a reminder of tourism’s potential to generate employment, earn foreign exchange, and promote India’s rich cultural heritage on the global stage.
• The Ministry of Tourism is currently headed by Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat (representing Jodhpur constituency in Rajasthan) and Minister of State Suresh Gopi (representing Thrissur constituency in Kerala). While India observes National Tourism Day on January 25, the United Nations observes World Tourism Day every year on September 27 to commemorate the adoption of the UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) Statutes in 1970.

State News

Madhya Pradesh Governor Declares 2026 as ‘Year of Agriculture’

• On January 26, 2026, Governor of Madhya Pradesh Mangubhai Patel announced that the state will observe 2026 as the “Year of Agriculture,” with a focused emphasis on the welfare and development of farmers, during the 77th Republic Day celebrations in Bhopal. This designation prioritizes farmers’ welfare and aims to strengthen agricultural productivity and sustainability across Madhya Pradesh.
• The initiative operates under the theme “Prosperous Farmers, Prosperous State,” emphasizing technology adoption, income enhancement, promotion of natural farming, improved marketing and export support, innovation, and greater digital transparency across agricultural activities. This multi-dimensional approach is designed to address various aspects of agricultural development comprehensively.
• The agricultural sector’s budget allocation in Madhya Pradesh has witnessed remarkable growth, expanding from approximately Rs 600 crores in Financial Year 2002-03 to over Rs 27,000 crores in Financial Year 2024-25, representing more than a 40-fold increase. This substantial budget enhancement demonstrates the state government’s commitment to agricultural development and farmer welfare over the past two decades.
• A comprehensive multi-dimensional model for agriculture growth is being implemented across Madhya Pradesh, incorporating Technology Transfer, income enhancement strategies, natural farming promotion, marketing infrastructure development, export facilitation, innovation encouragement, and deployment of digital platforms. This holistic approach aims to transform the agricultural sector and improve the livelihoods of farmers throughout the state during the designated Year of Agriculture.