National News
Lokpal of India Marks Foundation Day, Reiterates Resolve for Clean and Accountable Governance
- Lokpal Foundation Day observed. Institution established in 2014.
- Anti-corruption mandate reaffirmed. Complaints rising steadily. Public trust increasing.
- IT Data Centre inaugurated. Transparency and accountability stressed. Citizen participation highlighted. Clean governance renewed.
Government Blocks 242 Illegal Betting and Gambling Website Links
- The Government has blocked 242 illegal betting and gambling website links as part of a wider crackdown that has already taken down over 7,800 platforms.
- The enforcement drive has intensified after the Online Gaming Act, which provides a clearer legal framework to act against illegal operators.
- The move aims to protect users, especially youth, from financial losses, addiction, and social harm.
- Authorities are adopting technology-driven monitoring and coordinated digital enforcement to curb illegal online betting and safeguard India’s digital ecosystem.
Dr Jitendra Singh Releases ‘Gen V Bano’ and ‘Mahatma’ at India’s First NAMO Book Fest
- NAMO Book Fest launched. First edition held. Dr Jitendra Singh released books. Gen V Bano unveiled. Mahatma released.
- Two-day event organised. Books on Narendra Modi featured. Youth engagement encouraged. Authors and thinkers present. Ideas exchange promoted.
Supreme Court Rules Unreserved Seats Open to All Candidates on Merit
- The Supreme Court of India has ruled that unreserved (general) category seats in public recruitment are open to all candidates on merit, including those from reserved categories who qualify without concessions.
- The judgment, based on Articles 14 and 16, applies the principle of merit-induced shift and arose from a dispute over AAI recruitment (2013).
- It overturns a Kerala High Court ruling and brings clarity to recruitment processes nationwide.
GAIL’s 694-km Expressway Gas Pipeline: A New Model for India’s Infrastructure
- GAIL has completed the 694-km Mumbai–Nagpur Natural Gas Pipeline, marking a major infrastructure milestone in India.
- About 96% of the pipeline runs within a narrow 3-metre utility corridor along the Samruddhi Mahamarg expressway.
- The project demonstrates the PM GatiShakti model of integrated transport and utility planning.
- Engineers overcame severe challenges in the Western Ghats using advanced drilling and stabilization techniques.
State News
Karnataka Reforms Jamma Bane Land Records to Fix Decades-Old Issues in Kodagu
- Karnataka amended its land revenue law to reform Jamma Bane land records in Kodagu district and modernise ownership documentation.
- The Karnataka Land Revenue (Second Amendment) Act, 2025 received the Governor’s assent on January 7, 2026 and has been officially notified.
- The amendment aligns Kodagu’s unique land system with the Karnataka Land Revenue Act, 1964 and strengthens digitisation under the Bhoomi Project.
- Jamma Bane lands are hereditary grants from the Coorg and British periods that retained ancestral names despite ownership changes.
International News
India and Germany Sign Joint Declaration on Telecommunications Cooperation
- India and Germany signed a Joint Declaration on telecom cooperation in January 2026.
- The pact was concluded during high-level bilateral engagements. It focuses on telecommunications and ICTs.
- Cooperation will cover policy, regulation, manufacturing and innovation.
- Regular consultations and working groups are planned. Both sides will engage globally.
- The agreement supports inclusive digital transformation.
Finke River Recognised as the World’s Oldest Flowing River
- The Finke River, also called Larapinta, is believed to be the world’s oldest surviving river system, dating back 300-400 million years.
- Flowing through central Australia, it cuts directly through the MacDonnell Ranges, proving it is an antecedent river that predates the mountains.
- Though intermittent today, it remains a rare geological survivor, offering insights into Earth’s ancient landscapes.
Trump Accepts Machado’s Nobel Medal, but Can a Nobel Peace Prize Be Transferred?
- In January 2026, Maria Corina Machado handed her Nobel Peace Prize medal to Donald Trump, an unprecedented symbolic gesture.
- However, the Norwegian Nobel Institute clarified that Nobel Prizes cannot be transferred, shared, or revoked under the Nobel Foundation statutes.
- While Trump accepted the medal physically, Machado remains the only official Nobel laureate, making the act politically symbolic but legally invalid.
Banking News
RBI to Set Up Central Complaints Processing Centre to Speed Up Grievance Redressal
- RBI announced CRPC. Integrated Ombudsman Scheme revised. Complaints will be centralised.
- Online cases go to CMS. Email and post handled by CRPC. Scheme starts July 1, 2026.
- Faster scrutiny planned. No dispute amount limit. Compensation up to ₹30 lakh allowed. Consumer protection strengthened.
New Mutual Fund Rules: SEBI Allows Performance-Based Expense Structure Starting April 2026
- SEBI has notified new mutual fund rules. They will apply from April 1, 2026.
- Funds can charge performance-linked expenses. A Base Expense Ratio has been introduced.
- Other costs must be disclosed separately. Brokerage caps have been reduced. Governance norms are tighter.
- The reforms aim to improve transparency. They align investor costs with fund performance.
Economy News
India’s Forex Reserves Rise by $392 Million to $687.19 Billion
- India’s forex reserves rose slightly in mid-January 2026. Total reserves reached $687.19 billion.
- Foreign currency assets declined. Gold reserves increased sharply. SDRs and IMF position fell marginally.
- The overall position remains strong. It supports external stability. It enhances investor confidence.
Appointments News
Shri Praveen Vashista Appointed Vigilance Commissioner in Central Vigilance Commission
- Shri Praveen Vashista was appointed Vigilance Commissioner in January 2026. He is a 1991-batch IPS officer.
- The appointment was made under the CVC Act, 2003. He took oath on January 16, 2026.
- He has served in Bihar Police, CBI and MHA. His experience strengthens India’s vigilance system.
Awards News
Sukhatme National Award in Statistics – 2026: Call for Nominations
- The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation has instituted the Sukhatme National Award in Statistics to honor outstanding lifetime contributions by eminent Indian statisticians aged 45 years and above.
- The award has been given in alternate years since 2000 for high-quality research and improvement of official statistics systems.
- The award will be presented on Statistics Day, 29 June 2026.
- It includes a citation, shawl, and memento, and the awardee will deliver a session on the significance of their work.
Sports News
Aaryan Varshney Becomes India’s 92nd Chess Grandmaster
- Aaryan Varshney achieved GM title. India gets 92nd Grandmaster. Tournament held in Armenia.
- Final norm secured early. Delhi adds another GM. Young talent shines. Indian chess grows stronger. International success continues.
Science & Technology News
Giant 300-Year-Old Black Coral Discovered in New Zealand’s Deep Sea
- Marine scientists have discovered a giant black coral aged around 300-400 years in the deep waters of Fiordland, New Zealand.
- Measuring over 13 feet in height, it is the largest black coral recorded in the country. Such corals grow very slowly and indicate long-term ocean stability.
- Protected under New Zealand’s Wildlife Act, the find highlights the ecological importance of deep-sea ecosystems and the urgent need for their conservation.
TranslateGemma: Google Launches Open Translation Models Covering 55 Languages
- TranslateGemma is a new suite of open translation AI models launched by Google on January 15, 2026.
- Built on Gemma 3, it supports 55 languages and is available in 4B, 12B and 27B parameter sizes.
- The models deliver high-quality translation with greater efficiency, outperforming larger baselines on global benchmarks.
- Designed for use across mobile, local and cloud environments, TranslateGemma strengthens multilingual access and open AI research.
Daily Current Affairs Quiz 17th January,...
16th January, 2026 Current Affairs (Dail...
Daily Current Affairs Quiz 16th January,...
