TODAYS TOP NEWS
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1. The official theme for Republic Day 2026 is “150 Years of Vande Mataram.” This theme remembers the creation of the iconic song by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay in 1876. Over the years, Vande Mataram became a symbol of courage, unity, and patriotism. By choosing this theme, India pays tribute to the spirit that awakened the nation during the freedom movement.
2. President Smt Droupadi Murmu, Vice President Shri CP Radhakrishnan and Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi have extended their greetings to the people of Meghalaya, Tripura and Manipur on their Statehood Day yesterday.
3. The Government decides to continue Atal Pension Yojana till 2030-31; Also approves five thousand crore rupees-equity support to Small Industries Development Bank of India. The scheme was launched in May 2015 with the objective of providing old-age income security to workers in the unorganised sector.
4. The Ministry of Power released a new Draft National Electricity Policy 2026, which aims to transform the power sector to meet the vision of Viksit Bharat @2047.
5. Environment, Forest and Climate Change Ministry organised a mass singing of Vande Mataram as part of phase-II of the commemoration of 150 years of the national song. The event is part of a broader nationwide commemorative programme to celebrate 150 years of Vande Mataram.
5. India AI Impact Summit 2026 will be held in New Delhi from 16–20 February as the first global AI summit in the Global South. Anchored on People, Planet and Progress, it will focus on responsible AI, governance, innovation, global collaboration, and AI-driven development aligned with Viksit Bharat 20.
6. The government has also approved an equity support of five thousand crore rupees to the Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) during the cabinet meeting yesterday. This move is expected to benefit over 25 lakh 74 thousand new MSME beneficiaries.
7. Punjab has opened its first Dog Sanctuary in Ludhiana as a pilot project to reduce dog bite incidents and improve animal welfare.
8. The Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar has said that the booth level officers are the foundational pillar of the electoral democracy in the country. Addressing the India International Conference on Democracy and Election Management (IICDEM) 2026 in New Delhi.
9. Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah has hailed Kalyan, the monthly magazine published by Gita Press, as a strong pillar of India’s cultural consciousness. He said, Gita Press has worked not for profit, but to shape generations through its literary and spiritual contributions. Mr Shah was speaking at the release ceremony of the centenary edition of the magazine at Rishikesh in Uttarakhand.
10. A rare 233-year-old Sanskrit manuscript of the Valmiki Ramayana has been gifted to the International Ram Katha Museum in Ayodhya. Dating back to 1792 CE, the manuscript strengthens preservation of India’s cultural and Ramayana heritage and enhances public access for scholars and devotees.
11. IAS Officer of J&K-AGMUT cadre (erstwhile J&K cadre now merged with AGMUT) , Saugat Biswas got additional charge of commissioner Law in Arunachal Pradesh.
12. The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has appointed Sanjeev Khirwar (IAS: 1994: AGMUT) as the new Commissioner of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD).
13. Residents of Hyderabad, Telangana are likely to start witnessing early signs of summer season next week as temperatures are likely to increase.
14. The Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace Disarmament and Development for 2025 is awarded to Mozambican rights activist Graca Machel, the jury for the award announced on Wednesday.
15. Double-decker buses are set to make a comeback on the streets of Bengaluru for the first time since 1997, as the Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation (KSTDC) launched its ‘hop-on, hop-off’ sightseeing tour on Wednesday.
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LEGAL REPORT
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1. The Supreme Court warns illegal mining can lead to irreversible damage in Aravallis; Apex court to form expert panel to examine mining and related issues in the range.
2. The Madras High Court upholds Nandini Milk’s opposition to registration of ‘Nandini’ trademark for agarbattis
The Court held that the proposed mark was deceptively similar to Karnataka Milk Federation’s (KMF) long-standing ‘NANDINI’ trademark for milk products, and was likely to mislead consumers.
3. Techie drowning case: SIT questions Noida Authority officials; builder sent to 14-day judicial custody: A builder arrested in connection with the death of the 27-year-old software engineer in Greater Noida was on Wednesday sent to judicial custody for a week, as a Special Investigation Team (SIT) stepped up its probe into the incident, questioning officials of the Noida Authority that is facing allegations of negligence.
4. Former YSRC leader V. Vijay Sai Reddy is likely to appear before Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials in Hyderabad on Thursday for questioning in connection with the Rs 3,500 crore Andhra Pradesh liquor scam.
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DEFENCE News
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1. A long-standing dispute over pensionary benefits for Short Service Commissioned Officers (SSCOs) has reached the Supreme Court after the Armed Forces Tribunal (AFT) declined to take up the matter, holding that it fell within the domain of government policy.
The case arises from a petition filed by Maj (Dr) R Varadaraja Bharath (Retd), a former SSCO who completed over 10 years of commissioned service and served during the Kargil conflict (Operation Vijay). He sought pensionary relief by relying on an Army Instruction issued in 1964, which stated that pensionary terms for short-service officers were “under consideration”.
2. Sub Lieutenant Aastha Poonia scripted history in 2025 by becoming the Indian Navy’s first woman fighter pilot. Awarded the coveted Wings of Gold at INS Dega, her achievement marks a major step forward for gender inclusion in naval aviation and India’s armed forces.
3. Simran Bala, a 26-year-old Assistant Commandant from Jammu and Kashmir, is set to create history by becoming the first woman officer to lead an all-male CRPF contingent at the Republic Day Parade on January 26. Her journey from a border town to Kartavya Path reflects changing leadership norms in India’s forces.
4. The Indian Army has signed a contract to procure 18 indigenously developed firefighting robots to enhance safety at ammunition depots and other high-risk military installations. The agreement, worth ₹62 crore (£5.7m; $7.2m), was signed on 13 January by the Army’s Directorate of Capability Development with Ahmedabad-based start-up Swadeshi Empresa Pvt Ltd.
5. the Indian Air Force Band today performed at Central Park in New Delhi to mark the 150th anniversary of country’s national song Vande Mataram.
6. What is the Border Roads Organisation?
Established on May 7, 1960, the Border Roads Organisation was created to build and maintain strategic infrastructure in border and inaccessible areas. Guided by its motto — “Shramena Sarvam Sadhyam” (“Through hard work, all things are possible”) — the BRO works at the intersection of defence preparedness and development. From icy Himalayan passes to dense forests and arid deserts, the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) operates where terrain tests both engineering and human endurance.
FINANCE
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INDIAN RUPEE VALUE
💷 GBP ₹123(Approx)
€ Euro : ₹107(Approx)
USD ₹ 91(Approx)
🇨🇦 Canada :CAD ₹66
🇦🇺 Australia : ₹ 61
🇦🇪 UAE Dirham : ₹ 25
🇨🇳 China Yuan ¥ : ₹ 13
🇲🇻 Maldives Rufiya : ₹ 5.88
🇧🇹 Bhutan ngultrum : ₹ 1.00
🇳🇵 Nepal Rupee : ₹ 0.63
🇧🇩 B’desh Taka* : ₹ 0.70
🇵🇰 Pak Rupee : ₹ 0.32
🇱🇰 Sri Lanka Rupee : ₹ 0.29
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BSE SENSEX
81,909.63 −270.84 (0.33%)🔻
NIFTY
25,157.50 −75.00 (0.30%)🔻 —————————————
Rates in Financial Capital Mumbai
GOLD : ₹ 15,600/ 01gm (24 krt)
SILVER : ₹ 330,000/KG
1. Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy-led Telangana Rising delegation entered into a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Rashmi Group, a major Indian industrial conglomerate. The company, renowned globally for its ductile iron (DI) pipes used in water and sanitation projects, has agreed to set up a steel production unit in Telangana with an investment of ₹12,500 crore, creating the potential for 12,000 direct and indirect jobs.
2. SBI Life Insurance has launched Smart Platina Advantage, a non-linked guaranteed savings and life insurance plan offering long-term certainty, limited premium payment, flexible maturity options, tax benefits, and predictable returns for individuals planning major life goals.
3. Reserve Bank of India has approved the continuation of senior leadership at HDFC Bank, reinforcing stability at India’s largest private sector lender. The approval covers the re-appointment of Kaizad Bharucha as a whole-time director on the bank’s board for a fresh three-year term beginning 19 April 2026.
4. The Tata Group has announced plans to establish hotels across Telangana, with a special focus on major temple towns such as Medaram, Vemulawada and Bhadrachalam.
22 Jan(Thursday)
Vedic Ritu/ Hemant
Drik Ritu : Shishir (Winter)
पक्ष :: Shuklapaksh
(In Purnimanta calendar)
Vikram Samvat – 2082
Month : Magha 19,
(In Amanta calendar)
Shaka Samvat – 1947
Month :Magha 04
Tithi : Chaturthi/
Panchami
Nakshatra :Shatabhisha (up to 2:26 pm)
Purva Bhadrapada
Rahu : 01:59 PM – 03:20 PM
Yamaganda : 07:13 AM – 08:34 AM
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