🇮🇳 National News
India observed its 77th Republic Day on 26 January 2026, marking 76 years since the Constitution came into effect in 1950.
President Droupadi Murmu hoisted the national tricolour at Kartavya Path in New Delhi, followed by the National Anthem and a 21-gun salute.
The celebrations were held under the theme “150 Years of Vande Mataram”, with Oscar-winning composer M.M. Keeravani presenting a special musical tribute.
European Council President Antonio Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen attended as joint chief guests – a first in Republic Day history.
- DRDO Showcase – Long Range Anti-Ship Hypersonic Missile (LR-AShM) was displayed during the parade, designed for coastal defence requirements
- Beating Retreat – The ceremony will be held on 29 January 2026 at Vijay Chowk, formally concluding the Republic Day festivities
At the India-EU Leaders’ Summit, both parties announced the successful completion of Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations.
The landmark agreement strengthens the strategic partnership between the fourth and second largest global economies.
Key sectors benefiting include textiles, leather, gems and jewellery, with reduced tariff barriers to European markets. Sensitive agricultural products like dairy, cereals, and meat have been excluded to protect domestic farming interests.
- CBAM Addressed – The agreement addresses the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism through dedicated technical dialogue and preferential treatment
- Future Growth Areas – Services trade, digital economy, and professional mobility are expected to drive future bilateral trade expansion
Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia launched multiple development initiatives across the North Eastern Region in January 2026.
| Project | Allocation | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Matabari Tourism Circuit | Rs 450 Cr | Near Dumboor Lake in Tripura, integrating Tripura Sundari Temple and Chabimura |
| Agarwood Value Chain Development Scheme (AVCDS) | Rs 80 Cr | Processing centres planned in Golaghat, Assam and Tripura |
| Bamboo Sector Initiatives | Rs 82.5 Cr | Launched in Guwahati to establish the region as a hub for sustainable bamboo products |
Strategic partnerships with Amazon, Flipkart and All Time Plastics have been forged under the North East Cane and Bamboo Development Council.
The Ministry of Panchayati Raj unveiled PANCHAM (Panchayat Assistance & Messaging Chatbot), developed in collaboration with UNICEF.
The digital tool will serve as a governance companion for over 30 lakh elected representatives and panchayat functionaries nationwide.
Maharashtra topped the PESA (Panchayats Extension to Scheduled Areas) State Rankings, followed by Madhya Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh.
Around 240 Sarpanches and Panchayat Presidents were honoured as special guests during Republic Day celebrations.
Rajasthan launched Raj-UNNATI, becoming the first Indian state to replicate the Central Government’s PRAGATI governance model.
The digital platform enables real-time monitoring of development projects, scheme implementation, and public grievance resolution.
- Objective – Eliminate administrative delays and ensure time-bound execution of both state and central programmes
- Background – PRAGATI was launched by the Government of India in 2014, integrating technology with administration for efficient project oversight
The Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) signed a five-year MoU with Jharkhand’s Chief Wildlife Warden for vulture conservation.
The partnership focuses on breeding and protecting Oriental White-backed Vulture and Long-billed Vulture, both critically endangered species.
- Conservation Centre – Operations at the Vulture Conservation and Breeding Centre in Muta, near Ranchi, will be strengthened
- Role Division – BNHS provides technical expertise for captive breeding while Jharkhand Forest Department manages ground-level conservation activities
President Droupadi Murmu approved the conferment of 131 Padma Awards, comprising 5 Padma Vibhushan, 13 Padma Bhushan, and 113 Padma Shri.
Maharashtra received the most awards (15), followed by Tamil Nadu (13), Uttar Pradesh (11), West Bengal (11), and Kerala (8).
Padma Vibhushan Recipients:
- Dharmendra – Actor (posthumous)
- V.S. Achuthanandan – Former Kerala CM (posthumous)
- Justice K.T. Thomas – Jurist
- P. Narayanan – Educationist
- N. Rajam – Violinist
Notable Padma Bhushan Awardees:
- Shibu Soren – Politician (posthumous)
- Bhagat Singh Koshyari – Politician
- Mammootty – Actor
- Alka Yagnik – Singer
- Uday Kotak – Banker
Sports Personalities (Padma Shri):
- Rohit Sharma – Cricketer
- Harmanpreet Kaur – Cricketer
- Praveen Kumar – Para-athlete
- Savita Punia – Hockey player
- Baldev Singh – Hockey coach
Madhya Pradesh Governor Mangubhai Patel announced that 2026 will be observed as the ‘Year of Agriculture’ during Republic Day celebrations in Bhopal.
The initiative operates under the theme “Prosperous Farmers, Prosperous State” focusing on agricultural productivity and sustainability.
Priority Areas:
- Technology Adoption – Modernising farming practices
- Natural Farming – Promoting sustainable agriculture
- Marketing & Exports – Improved market access and export support
- Digital Transparency – Enhanced governance in agriculture sector
The state’s agricultural budget has grown from Rs 600 crore in FY 2002-03 to over Rs 27,000 crore in FY 2024-25.
💼 Business & Economy
The World Bank approved technical and financial assistance of Rs 5,700 crore for the ‘Jal Sanrakshit Haryana Project’.
Funds will be disbursed between 2026 and 2032 for comprehensive water resource management across the state.
| Component | Details |
|---|---|
| Canal Restoration | 892 of 1,570 main canals restored; 678 remaining planned for completion within five years |
| Micro-irrigation | Rs 900 crore allocated covering approximately 70,000 acres of farmland |
The World Bank also approved USD 815 million for Bhutan’s 1,125 MW Dorjilung Hydropower Project, a PPP venture with Tata Power (40%) and Druk Green Power Corporation (60%).
🌐 International News
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) released its fourth ‘State of Finances for Nature’ report using 2023 global financial data.
For every dollar invested in protecting nature, approximately USD 30 is spent on activities harmful to the environment.
| Metric | Value (2023) |
|---|---|
| Global nature-negative spending | USD 7.3 trillion |
| Private sector contribution | USD 4.9 trillion |
| Nature-based Solutions (NbS) funding | USD 220 billion |
| NbS year-on-year increase | 5% |
- New Framework – The report introduces the Nature Transition X-Curve framework to help policymakers reform capital flows toward environmental protection
- Regional Leaders – Asia led government spending on NbS with USD 93 billion, while North America recorded the highest year-on-year increase at 19%
👔 Appointments
Veteran Indian sports administrator and five-time Olympic shooter Randhir Singh resigned as OCA President due to health concerns.
Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, President of Qatar Olympic Committee, was elected as the new OCA President at the General Assembly in Tashkent.
Randhir Singh became the first Indian to head the OCA in September 2024 during the 44th General Assembly in New Delhi.
- IOA Secretary General – Served from 1987 to 2012
- IOC Member – From 2001 to 2014
📅 Important Days
India observed the 16th National Voters’ Day on 25 January 2026, commemorating the establishment of the Election Commission of India in 1950.
“My India, My Vote” with the tagline “Citizen at the Heart of Indian Democracy”
- Chief Guest – President Droupadi Murmu presided over the celebrations and presented the Best Electoral Practices Awards 2025
- Origin – First observed in 2011, approved during a Cabinet meeting chaired by then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh
National Tourism Day was observed on 25 January 2026 to emphasize the significance of tourism in India’s economic landscape.
- Origin – Traces back to 1949 when the Government of India officially declared it, coinciding with the formation of the Ministry of Tourism
- Purpose – Promotes cultural heritage preservation and showcases India’s diverse tourist attractions
- Global Counterpart – The United Nations observes World Tourism Day separately on 27 September each year
🕊️ Obituaries
Sir William Mark Tully, celebrated as BBC’s ‘voice of India’, passed away in New Delhi at the age of 90.
Born in Calcutta in 1935, he served as BBC’s New Delhi Bureau Chief for 22 years, covering South Asia’s most significant events.
His journalism documented the 1971 Bangladesh War, Emergency period, Operation Blue Star, Bhopal tragedy, and Babri Masjid demolition.
Honours:
- Padma Shri – 1992
- Padma Bhushan – 2005
- Knighthood – 2002 (by British government)
Notable Books: ‘No Full Stops in India’, ‘India in Slow Motion’, ‘The Heart of India’
Inderjit Singh Bindra, former BCCI President and pioneer of modern cricket administration in India, passed away in New Delhi at 84.
A retired IAS officer from Punjab cadre, he served as Punjab Cricket Association President from 1978 to 2014.
During his BCCI presidency (1993-1996), he played a crucial role in bringing the 1987 and 1996 Cricket World Cups to India.
- Broadcasting Revolution – In 1994, he ended Doordarshan’s monopoly over cricket broadcasting, introducing ESPN and TWI to Indian audiences
- Legacy – The Punjab Cricket Association stadium was renamed I.S. Bindra Stadium in 2015 in recognition of his contributions
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