National News

Supreme Court Clarifies Aadhaar’s Role in Electoral Roll Revision: Identity Verification, Not Citizenship Proof

• The Supreme Court of India has definitively ruled that Aadhaar can be utilized as a valid identity document during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, while simultaneously establishing clear boundaries that it does not constitute proof of citizenship under any circumstances.
• The court’s judgment emphasizes that Aadhaar is officially recognized as one among 11 acceptable documents by the Election Commission of India specifically for the purpose of verifying voter identity, joining other documents like passports, driving licenses, and ration cards in this capacity.
• The primary objective behind permitting Aadhaar usage in this context is to prevent duplication in voter lists and ensure the accuracy and integrity of electoral rolls by eliminating ghost voters and fake entries, thereby strengthening the democratic process through cleaner voter databases.
• The ruling makes a critical distinction that while Aadhaar serves as a robust identity verification tool due to its biometric authentication capabilities, it explicitly cannot be used to determine matters of nationality, citizenship status, or domicile requirements, which are governed by separate legal frameworks.

National News

Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train Project Achieves Major Engineering Milestone with 100-Meter Steel Bridge

• India’s ambitious Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train Project reached a significant engineering achievement on January 29, 2026, with the successful completion of a 100-meter-long steel bridge in Ahmedabad, constructed entirely under the Make in India initiative, showcasing indigenous manufacturing capabilities in high-speed rail infrastructure.
• The bridge represents a remarkable feat of engineering as it was constructed above an existing underground metro tunnel situated between Kalupur and Shahpur stations, requiring specialized design considerations to ensure complete structural independence from the metro infrastructure below.
• Engineers specially redesigned the bridge structure to ensure that absolutely no load is transferred to the metro tunnel beneath it, employing advanced load distribution techniques and structural isolation methods that guarantee the safety and operational integrity of both the bullet train corridor and the metro system.
• This milestone demonstrates India’s growing technical expertise in complex infrastructure projects that require integration across multiple urban transit systems, positioning the country as a leader in sophisticated railway engineering while reducing dependency on foreign technology and expertise.

International News

Smithsonian Museum Returns Three Ancient Bronze Sculptures to India After Confirming Illegal Removal

• On January 30, 2026, the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Asian Art in the United States made a historic announcement that it would repatriate three ancient bronze sculptures to India following comprehensive research that confirmed these artifacts were illegally removed from the country several decades ago.
• The three priceless artifacts include a 10th-century Chola period Shiva Nataraja (dancing Shiva), a 12th-century Chola period Somaskanda (Shiva with Uma and Skanda), and a 16th-century Vijayanagar period sculpture depicting Saint Sundarar with his consort Paravai, each representing significant periods of South Indian artistic and religious heritage.
• These bronze sculptures were not created as decorative art pieces but served as sacred temple icons that played central roles in Hindu religious rituals and worship practices in South Indian temples, making their spiritual and cultural significance far greater than their artistic or monetary value.
• The repatriation marks a growing global recognition of cultural property rights and represents an important victory for India’s efforts to reclaim its stolen heritage, while also reflecting improved international cooperation in addressing the illegal antiquities trade that has stripped nations of their cultural patrimony.

State News

Uttar Pradesh Mandates Aadhaar-Based Biometric Authentication for All Property Registrations Starting February 1

• Beginning February 1, 2026, Uttar Pradesh will implement mandatory Aadhaar-based biometric authentication for all property registration transactions throughout the state, marking a significant technological intervention aimed at preventing land fraud and enhancing transparency in real estate dealings.
• Under this new system, all parties involved in property transactions—including buyers, sellers, and witnesses—must undergo biometric verification at registration offices, and the registration process cannot proceed without successful authentication of all parties’ identities through fingerprint or iris scanning.
• The biometric authentication system is directly integrated with land records databases, creating a secure digital trail for every property transaction that enables authorities to track ownership changes, verify identities in real-time, and maintain an immutable record of all dealings.
• This initiative is expected to dramatically reduce instances of impersonation, forged identities, and fraudulent property transfers that have plagued land transactions in India, while simultaneously strengthening overall digital governance infrastructure and increasing public confidence in property registration processes across Uttar Pradesh.

Awards and Recognitions News

Uttarakhand Receives Best State Award for Aviation Promotion at Wings India 2026

• Uttarakhand was honored with the prestigious Best State for Promotion of Aviation Ecosystem award at Wings India 2026, in recognition of its exceptional efforts in improving regional air connectivity, aviation infrastructure, and helicopter services despite facing the significant challenges posed by its mountainous terrain.
• The state has achieved this recognition through the Uttarakhand Civil Aviation Development Authority (UCADA), which has systematically worked to expand the network of airports, heliports, and air routes across the state, transforming accessibility to previously isolated hill regions.
• These aviation development initiatives have generated multiple positive outcomes including boosted tourism revenues, increased economic activity in remote areas, improved emergency medical evacuation capabilities, and enhanced connectivity for pilgrims visiting religious sites in the Himalayan region.
• The award positions Uttarakhand as a model for aviation development in geographically challenging regions, demonstrating that focused policy interventions and sustained infrastructure investment can overcome natural obstacles, and places the state alongside major aviation hubs in India despite its unique topographical constraints.

International News

India to Host Second India-Arab Foreign Ministers’ Meeting After Decade-Long Gap

• India will host the second India-Arab Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (FMM) in New Delhi on January 31, 2026, marking the significant revival of this high-level multilateral dialogue platform after a ten-year hiatus, reflecting India’s renewed strategic engagement with the Arab world.
• The meeting will be co-chaired by India and the United Arab Emirates, bringing together Foreign Ministers from member states of the Arab League to discuss and strengthen political dialogue, strategic coordination, and cooperation across multiple sectors including trade, energy, security, and cultural exchange.
• The UAE’s role as co-chair is particularly significant as it reflects the deep strategic partnership that has developed between India and the Emirates, as well as the UAE’s position as a key regional anchor and bridge-builder in West Asia capable of facilitating broader India-Arab engagement.
• The revival and institutionalization of the FMM underscores India’s growing diplomatic engagement with the Arab world as a collective entity, moving beyond traditional bilateral relationships to establish multilateral frameworks that can address shared challenges and opportunities in an increasingly complex geopolitical environment.

International News

European Union Formally Designates Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as Terrorist Organization

• The European Union has taken the unprecedented step of formally designating Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization, representing a major escalation in the EU’s stance toward Tehran and fundamentally reshaping the nature of EU-Iran relations.
• Established in 1979 following the Islamic Revolution, the IRGC has evolved from a revolutionary militia into a powerful parallel force that controls significant portions of Iran’s military operations, intelligence apparatus, ballistic missile program, economic enterprises, and regional proxy networks across the Middle East.
• This designation has far-reaching implications including potential asset freezes, travel bans on IRGC members, restrictions on European companies dealing with IRGC-linked entities, and increased legal risks for any commercial or financial transactions that could be interpreted as supporting the organization.
• The EU’s decision reflects growing frustration with Iran’s regional activities, its support for proxy groups, its nuclear program advancement, and its supply of military equipment to various conflict zones, marking a significant hardening of European policy that brings it closer to the American position on Iran.

Defence News

Taiwan Successfully Conducts First Underwater Sea Trial of Domestically Built Submarine Narwhal

• Taiwan has achieved a major defense milestone by successfully completing the first underwater sea trial of its domestically developed submarine, named Narwhal, off the coast of Kaohsiung, demonstrating significant advancement in indigenous defense manufacturing capabilities.
• The Narwhal submarine was built by the state-owned CSBC Corporation and represents the first of eight submarines planned under Taiwan’s ambitious indigenous submarine program, which aims to strengthen maritime deterrence capabilities amid escalating regional tensions with China.
• Submarines play a crucial role in Taiwan’s asymmetric warfare strategy, as they provide stealthy and survivable capabilities that can disrupt enemy naval movements, protect sea lanes, conduct intelligence gathering, and maintain a credible deterrent force even against a numerically superior adversary.
• The successful sea trial represents years of technological development, international cooperation (within legal constraints), and substantial investment in defense self-reliance, marking Taiwan’s determination to reduce dependency on foreign arms supplies while developing sophisticated weapons systems despite diplomatic isolation and pressure from Beijing.

Banking and Finance News

India’s Banking Sector Records Multi-Decade Low NPAs and Improved Recovery Rates

• The Economic Survey 2025-26 highlights a remarkable structural revival of India’s banking and financial system, characterized by significantly healthier balance sheets, improved asset quality, and enhanced overall resilience across the sector.
• Scheduled Commercial Banks have achieved multi-decadal lows in both Gross Non-Performing Assets (NPAs) and Net NPAs, while simultaneously maintaining robust capitalization with a Capital to Risk-Weighted Assets Ratio (CRAR) of 17.2% as of September 2025, well above the regulatory minimum requirements.
• NPA recovery rates have nearly doubled from 13.2% in FY2018 to 26.2% in FY2025, reflecting substantially improved credit discipline, better risk management practices, enhanced monitoring systems, and more effective resolution mechanisms across the banking sector.
• The Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC) has played a transformational role in this recovery, enabling recoveries of ₹3.99 lakh crore from resolved cases—representing 94% of fair value and 170% of liquidation value—while reducing average resolution timelines to approximately two years, thereby providing creditors with a credible and time-bound mechanism for debt recovery.

Rank and Reports News

Zurich Tops Numbeo’s Cost of Living Index 2026 While Indian Cities Remain Most Affordable

• The Cost of Living Index by City 2026, released by Numbeo, reveals that Swiss cities completely dominate the world’s most expensive urban rankings, while Indian cities continue to rank among the most affordable destinations globally for residents and expatriates.
• The index provides a comprehensive comparison of average expenses for a family of four, covering essential categories including food, transportation, utilities, and rent, using New York City as the baseline reference point with a score of 100.
• In 2026, Zurich claims the top position as the world’s most expensive city, followed by Geneva, Basel, Lausanne, Lugano, and Bern, with Switzerland’s dominance reflecting the country’s combination of high wages, strong currency, premium housing costs, excellent public services, and high quality of life standards.
• Other notably expensive cities in the global rankings include New York City, Reykjavik (Iceland), Honolulu (Hawaii), and San Francisco, highlighting broader global trends in urban economics, cost structures, wage levels, and living standards across different geographical regions and economic development levels.

State News

Assam Launches Financial Assistance Scheme for Over Six Lakh Tea Garden Workers

• The Assam government has launched the Mukhya Mantrir Eti Koli Duti Paat Scheme (Chief Minister’s One Leaf Two Buds Scheme), providing one-time financial assistance of ₹5,000 to over six lakh tea garden workers across 836 gardens spread throughout 27 districts of the state.
• Announced by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma in Doomdooma, this ₹300 crore initiative formally recognizes the historic and ongoing contribution of tea garden workers to Assam’s economy and identity, while aiming to promote social security, dignity, and inclusive growth for this traditionally marginalized community.
• Beyond direct cash support, the comprehensive scheme includes the introduction of mobile crèches and toilet facilities in tea gardens, specifically designed to improve childcare support, sanitation infrastructure, health outcomes, and workplace safety standards, particularly benefiting women workers.
• The initiative represents a significant policy shift toward addressing the welfare needs of tea plantation workers who have historically faced challenges including low wages, poor living conditions, and limited social security, while acknowledging their central role in building Assam’s tea industry into a global brand.

Banking and Finance News

PFRDA Launches NPS Swasthya Scheme Allowing Pension Savings for Medical Expenses

• India’s Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) launched the innovative NPS Swasthya Pension Scheme on January 27, 2026, under its Regulatory Sandbox Framework, allowing National Pension System subscribers to utilize a portion of their retirement savings for medical expenses.
• This groundbreaking pilot program addresses the growing challenge of rising healthcare costs in India while attempting to preserve the long-term retirement benefits that remain the primary purpose of pension savings, creating a dual-purpose financial instrument.
• Operated as a voluntary, sector-specific product within the Multiple Scheme Framework, the scheme requires subscribers to maintain both a Common Scheme Account for regular pension accumulation and a dedicated Swasthya Pension Scheme account specifically designated for health-linked withdrawals.
• The initiative represents a controlled experiment to test the integration of health-linked benefits into traditional pension plans within a regulatory sandbox environment, balancing the objectives of financial innovation, flexibility for subscribers, regulatory oversight, consumer protection, and ensuring adequate retirement corpus preservation.

Science and Technology News

ONGC Launches Pragya-AIX: Centralized AI Platform for Upstream Operations

• Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) has launched Pragya-AIX, a centralized digital platform that integrates multiple artificial intelligence tools into a unified ecosystem, marking a strategic shift from isolated pilot projects to enterprise-wide AI adoption across the organization.
• The sophisticated platform is designed to transform vast volumes of operational data generated across ONGC’s operations into actionable intelligence that directly supports key upstream activities including seismic data analysis, production optimization, reservoir management, and smart field monitoring.
• By enabling real-time insights, improving subsurface interpretation accuracy, enhancing operational safety protocols, and driving cost efficiency, Pragya-AIX aims to maximize hydrocarbon output from existing assets while reducing exploration risks and operational expenditure.
• Designed as a collaborative and scalable innovation ecosystem rather than a static tool, Pragya-AIX breaks down organizational silos, facilitates knowledge sharing across departments and fields, and embeds artificial intelligence as a continuous operational capability throughout ONGC’s exploration and production activities.

State News

Karnataka Emerges as India’s GenAI Startup Hub Hosting 39% of National Ecosystem

• India’s Generative AI startup ecosystem is experiencing rapid expansion, and Karnataka has emerged as the clear leader, hosting nearly 39% of the country’s GenAI startups according to data presented in the Economic Survey 2025-26.
• Generative AI represents the fastest-growing segment of India’s technology startup landscape, which has become the third-largest globally, attracting $76.4 million in funding across 18 investment rounds, demonstrating strong investor confidence despite global economic uncertainties.
• Karnataka’s dominance is driven by Bangalore’s established technology ecosystem, availability of skilled AI talent from premier institutions, presence of research facilities, supportive state policies, access to venture capital, and the concentration of technology companies that provide both talent pool and potential clients.
• GenAI startups are finding applications across diverse sectors including healthcare (diagnostic assistance, drug discovery), finance (fraud detection, risk assessment), manufacturing (quality control, predictive maintenance), and defense (surveillance, intelligence analysis), indicating the technology’s transformative potential across India’s economy.

Important Days News

Martyrs’ Day Observed on January 30 Commemorating Mahatma Gandhi’s Assassination

• Martyrs’ Day, observed annually on January 30, commemorates the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi in 1948 and serves as a day to honor all freedom fighters who sacrificed their lives for India’s independence, while March 23 is separately observed as Shaheed Diwas in memory of Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, and Sukhdev.
• The day serves as a solemn reminder to the nation of the immense human cost paid for freedom and independence, while reinforcing the timeless values of non-violence, truth, courage, sacrifice, and patriotism that Mahatma Gandhi embodied throughout his life and struggle.
• Official observances include prayer meetings and formal tributes at Raj Ghat (Gandhi’s memorial in New Delhi), two-minute moments of silence observed nationwide at 11 AM, and remembrance programs organized across schools, government institutions, and public spaces throughout the country.
• The observance encourages contemporary generations to reflect on the sacrifices made by freedom fighters, understand the value of the independence they enjoy, and recommit to the principles of peace, tolerance, and national unity that guided India’s independence movement.

Obituary News

Former Indian Hockey Coach Michael Nobbs Passes Away at Age 72

• Michael Nobbs, former Australian field hockey player and internationally respected coach, has passed away at the age of 72 following a prolonged illness, leaving behind a significant legacy in both Australian and international hockey.
• As a player, Nobbs was a respected figure in Australian hockey, earning 76 international caps for Australia between 1979 and 1985, representing his country at prestigious tournaments including the 1981 Hockey World Cup and the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics.
• Known for his tactical acumen, strategic understanding, and emphasis on discipline, Nobbs transitioned into coaching and became an influential figure, most notably leading the Indian men’s national hockey team during a critical rebuilding phase, including guiding them to qualification and participation in the 2012 London Olympics.
• His coaching career also included a stint as head coach of Japan’s national hockey team, demonstrating his international appeal and adaptability, while his work with India is particularly remembered for bringing structure, fitness standards, and modern tactical approaches during a challenging period for Indian hockey.