27th January, 2026 Current Affairs (Daily GK Update)

National News

What Makes the Bactrian Camels’ Republic Day Appearance Historic?

• Bactrian camels from Ladakh made their first-ever appearance at the 77th Republic Day Parade, highlighting India’s natural heritage and high-altitude preparedness.
• The double-humped camels, named Galwan and Nubra, are native to the Nubra Valley and are critically rare in India.
• These camels are uniquely adapted to extreme cold, low oxygen, and high-altitude conditions where mechanical transport often fails.
• Capable of carrying heavy loads at altitudes above 14,000 feet, they have proven effective in military trials conducted by DRDO. Historically vital to the Silk Route, they now hold renewed strategic importance for logistics along the Line of Actual Control.

BRO Conducts High-Altitude Rescue and Road Restoration at Chatergala Pass, J&K

• The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) successfully conducted a high-altitude rescue and road restoration at Chatergala Pass (10,500 ft) in Jammu and Kashmir after 5–6 feet of snowfall blocked 38 km of road on January 23, 2026.
• The operation, led by 118 RCC under 35 BRTF as part of Project Sampark, cleared the snow in nearly 40 hours in sub-zero temperatures, restoring connectivity by January 25.
• BRO safely evacuated 20 civilians and 40 troops with zero casualties, in close coordination with the Indian Army.

State News

Neolithic Relics Found – UNESCO Status Next for Lakkundi?

• Neolithic relics discovered at Lakkundi in Karnataka have pushed the site’s history back to prehistoric times.
• The findings strengthen efforts to include Lakkundi in UNESCO’s World Heritage list.
• Excavations near the Kote Veerabhadreshwar Temple revealed tools indicating early human settlement.
• Lakkundi later flourished as a major medieval centre under Chalukya, Yadava and Hoysala dynasties.
• Known for temples, stepwells and economic importance, it reflects cultural and religious diversity.
• The discoveries add new momentum to heritage conservation and global recognition plans.

International News

France Moves Bill to Ban Social Media for Under-15s to Protect Mental Health

• France’s National Assembly has approved a bill to ban children under 15 from accessing social media platforms due to concerns over mental health, bullying, and excessive screen time.
• The law mandates age-verification systems and applies to major platforms like Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, and Snapchat.
• It also extends existing school smartphone bans to high schools and aims for implementation before the next academic year.
• The move is inspired by Australia’s similar restrictions and reflects a broader global push to protect minors online.

US Withdraws from the World Health Organization: Reasons, Process and Global Impact

• The United States has officially withdrawn from the World Health Organization after completing a one-year notice period.
• The decision followed an executive order by President Donald Trump in January 2025 citing failures in handling the COVID-19 pandemic.
• The US stopped all funding contributions, ending its role as WHO’s largest donor contributing about 18% of the budget.
• The exit has triggered a financial crisis within WHO, leading to budget cuts and staff layoffs.

India–EU Free Trade Agreement Called Mother of Deal Signed 16th Summit: Explained

• India and the European Union concluded negotiations on a long-awaited Free Trade Agreement during the 16th India–EU Summit on January 27, 2026.
• The FTA aims to reduce tariffs, boost trade in goods and services, and expand investments, covering a region that accounts for 25% of global GDP.
• Alongside the FTA, both sides signed a Security and Defence Partnership and established a Green Hydrogen Task Force to strengthen strategic, defence, and climate cooperation.
• The deal ends nearly two decades of negotiations, enhancing India’s role in global trade and industrial networks.

India Makes Historic Debut as Partner Country at Gulfood 2026 in Dubai

• India participated as a Partner Country for the first time at Gulfood 2026 in Dubai, showcasing its agri-food diversity through a 1,434 sq. m. pavilion with 161 exhibitors from 25 states, led by APEDA and supported by FIEO, aiming to boost food exports, attract investments in processing and logistics, and strengthen India’s presence in global food trade.

Business News

Adani–Embraer Pact to Manufacture Aircraft in India: Explained

• Adani Group and Brazil’s Embraer signed an MoU to explore aircraft manufacturing and aviation cooperation in India.
• The deal marks Adani’s entry into commercial aircraft manufacturing and supports India’s ambition to become a global aviation hub.
• The partnership focuses on regional transport aircraft, components, MRO services, and pilot training.
• Embraer, the world’s third-largest aircraft maker, is known for 70–140 seat regional jets suited to India’s connectivity needs.
• India is a strategic choice due to its fast-growing aviation market and government push under UDAN and Make in India.

Awards News

Indian Doctor Wins Wiley Research Heroes Prize 2025

• Indian public health expert Dr. Chandrakant Lahariya has won the Wiley Research Heroes Prize 2025 for impact beyond academia.
• He is the first Indian to receive this global honour recognising research that directly shapes public policy and healthcare outcomes.
• The award highlights his work in translating evidence into action in areas like vaccination, maternal and child health, and primary healthcare.
• A former WHO official, his research bridges the gap between academic knowledge and real-world governance.
• The recognition underscores India’s growing influence in evidence-based global health leadership.

Sikkim Police Receives President’s Police Colour Award for Distinguished Service

• The Sikkim Police has been awarded the President’s Police Colour, making it the 15th state in India and the 3rd in the North-East to receive this prestigious honour.
• The award recognises exceptional service, professionalism, and dedication of a police force over the years, symbolised by a flag and insignia worn on the uniform.
• It highlights Sikkim Police’s role in maintaining law and order in a sensitive border state and represents national recognition of policing excellence in the North-East.

Defense News

DRDO’s Hypersonic Glide Missile Makes Republic Day Debut

• India showcased its defence modernisation at the 77th Republic Day parade with the first public display of the LR-AShM hypersonic glide missile system.
• Developed indigenously by DRDO, the missile is designed for coastal battery deployment to counter hostile naval assets.
• The LR-AShM travels at speeds above Mach 5 with a low, manoeuvrable trajectory, making interception extremely difficult.
• Its hypersonic speed and precision significantly enhance India’s sea-denial and maritime deterrence capabilities.
• The system strengthens the Indian Navy’s ability to protect coastlines, ports, and sea lanes in the Indian Ocean Region.

Republic Day Parade Sees Bhairav Battalion, Suryastra — What’s New?

• India’s 77th Republic Day Parade showcased a shift towards operational realism with the first public appearance of new combat formations and indigenous weapon systems.
• The Bhairav Light Commando Battalion, raised in October 2025, debuted as a rapid-response unit bridging infantry and special forces.
• The 4 Bhairav Battalion belongs to the Sikh Light Infantry and is designed for swift missions in difficult terrain.
• The parade also featured the indigenous Suryastra universal rocket launcher with ranges up to 300 km.

Sports News

Nat Sciver-Brunt Creates History with First Century in WPL

• Nat Sciver-Brunt became the first player to score a century in Women’s Premier League history during WPL 2026.
• She scored an unbeaten 100 off 57 balls for Mumbai Indians against Royal Challengers Bengaluru in Vadodara.
• Her innings included 16 fours and a six. She shared a 131-run partnership with Hayley Matthews, who scored 56 off 39 balls.
• This century broke the previous highest WPL scores of 99 by Georgi Voll and Sophie Devine. The knock set a new benchmark for the league.

Science & Technology News

Microsoft Unveils Maia 200 AI Chip, Challenges Nvidia’s Dominance

• Microsoft has unveiled its second-generation in-house AI chip, Maia 200, marking a major step in reducing reliance on Nvidia.
• The chip is designed for large-scale AI workloads such as chatbots and generative AI in Microsoft’s data centres.
• Maia 200 is manufactured by TSMC using advanced 3-nanometer technology and features high-bandwidth memory and large SRAM for faster processing.
• Alongside the chip, Microsoft introduced an open-source software stack including Triton to rival Nvidia’s CUDA ecosystem.

Obituaries News

Former BCCI President Inderjit Singh Bindra Passes Away

• Former BCCI president Inderjit Singh Bindra passed away at the age of 84, leaving behind a transformative legacy in Indian cricket administration.
• He played a pivotal role in modernising cricket marketing, opening broadcasting to global players, and reshaping revenue models.
• As BCCI president from 1993 to 1996, he challenged Doordarshan’s monopoly, enabling private and international broadcasters to enter India.
• He was instrumental in bringing the 1987 Cricket World Cup to India, the first held outside England.

Veteran Journalist Mark Tully Dies at 90: Early Life, Career and Key Achievements

• Mark Tully, the renowned journalist, author, and broadcaster, spent over five decades in India as BBC’s New Delhi Bureau Chief, earning fame as the “Voice of India.”
• Born in 1935 in Kolkata, he covered major events like the 1971 Bangladesh War, Emergency, and Operation Blue Star, authored several acclaimed books, and was honoured with a Knighthood (UK), Padma Shri, and Padma Bhushan for his deep engagement with Indian society.

Important Days News

National Geographic Day 2026: Date, History, Significance, Wishes & Messages

• National Geographic Day 2026, observed on 27 January, celebrates humanity’s curiosity about the Earth and the legacy of the National Geographic Society, founded in 1888.
• The day highlights geography, science, exploration, culture, wildlife, and environmental conservation.
• It encourages global awareness, respect for cultural diversity, and the protection of nature through learning about landscapes, oceans, climate, and biodiversity.
• National Geographic Day honors over a century of research, storytelling, and exploration that inspires people to understand, explore, and safeguard our planet.