IMPORTANT DAYS
World Hindi Day 2026 observed on January 10.
• World Hindi Day is observed internationally every year on 10 January.
• The date commemorates the first World Hindi Conference held in 1975.
• This historic conference was organised in Nagpur, Maharashtra, under the leadership of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.
• The inaugural conference witnessed participation from 122 delegates representing 30 countries.
• World Hindi Day was first officially celebrated in 2006, initiated by Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh.
• The occasion aims to promote Hindi as a global language and strengthen its international presence.
• Hindi ranks as the third most widely spoken language in the world, highlighting its global relevance.
• In India, National Hindi Diwas is separately observed on 14 September each year.
APPOINTMENT
Justice Manoj Kumar Gupta Appointed Chief Justice of Uttarakhand High Court
• Justice Manoj Kumar Gupta has been elevated as the Chief Justice of the Uttarakhand High Court.
• His appointment came into effect on 8 January 2026.
• Before this elevation, he was serving as a judge of the Allahabad High Court.
• He succeeded Justice Guhanathan Narendra, who retired on 9 January 2026 after attaining the age of 62 years.
• The Supreme Court Collegium had recommended his name for the post in the previous month.
• Justice Gupta was originally appointed as a judge of the Allahabad High Court on 12 April 2013.
• He brings over a decade of judicial experience to his new role.
• His retirement is due on 8 October 2026.
RANKING AND INDEX
Uttarakhand Police Tops ICJS 2.0 National Ranking
• Uttarakhand Police emerged as the best-performing state force in the ICJS 2.0 national assessment.
• The achievement was highlighted by IGP Sunil Kumar Meena, who underlined major institutional successes.
• The state secured Rank 1 with a score of 93.46, ahead of Haryana and Assam, as per NCRB’s CCTNS/ICJS monthly dashboard.
• This ranking reflects strong digital policing practices and advanced criminal justice modernisation in the state.
• Uttarakhand achieved early integration of key ICJS modules, well before the national deadline.
• ICJS 2.0 aims to digitally link police, courts, prosecution, prisons, forensics and fingerprint systems by 2026.
• Another major highlight was the effective deployment of Uttarakhand SDRF during Prayagraj Mahakumbh-2025.
• The 112-member SDRF unit received medals and commendation certificates from the Uttar Pradesh Government for outstanding service.
AWARDS
70th Ati Vishisht Rail Seva Puraskar 2025
• The 70th Ati Vishisht Rail Seva Puraskar 2025 was presented by Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw in New Delhi.
• A total of 100 railway personnel were awarded for exceptional dedication, while 26 railway zones received shields for superior performance.
• The honours celebrate outstanding service and remarkable contributions within Indian Railways.
• Highlighting safety improvements, the Minister noted that average railway accidents have declined to nearly 12.
• This marks a sharp improvement from about 170 accidents annually reported around a decade ago.
• Two sportspersons were also among the recipients of the 2025 awards.
• The Ati Vishisht Rail Seva Puraskar is regarded as one of the most prestigious recognitions in Indian Railways.
• It acknowledges excellence in areas such as innovation, operational efficiency, safety, security, revenue growth, timely project execution, and sports achievements.
SPORTS
Khelo India Beach Games 2026: Day 4 Highlights
• Tamil Nadu emerged at the top of the medal table on Day 4 with an impressive haul of 2 gold, 2 silver, and 3 bronze medals.
• Strong performances in Pencak Silat and women’s beach volleyball played a key role in Tamil Nadu’s lead.
• The state secured gold in women’s beach volleyball and men’s Regu Pencak Silat, along with podium finishes in other events.
• Goa clinched the gold medal in men’s beach volleyball, keeping competition intense.
• Host teams Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu stood second overall with six medals.
• Manipur and Chandigarh followed closely, earning five medals each.
• In Sepak Takraw, the women’s team from Haryana and the men’s team from Delhi won gold by defeating Bihar.
• The Games are being staged at Ghogla Beach, Diu, featuring 1,100+ athletes across eight sports, with 32 gold medals at stake.
ECONOMY NEWS
India’s Economic Growth Outlook for FY 2025–26
• India’s real GDP is projected to grow at 7.4% in FY 2025–26, as per advanced estimates of MoSPI.
• This marks an improvement over FY 2024–25, which recorded a growth rate of 6.5%.
• The services sector is expected to remain the primary growth engine of the economy.
• Financial, real estate, professional services and public administration are projected to expand sharply by 9.9% at constant prices.
• Trade, hotels, transport, communication and broadcasting-related services are estimated to grow by 7.5%.
• The secondary sector is likely to show stable performance, with manufacturing and construction each growing around 7%.
• Agriculture and allied activities are projected to record a moderate growth of 3.1%.
• On the demand side, PFCE is expected to rise by 7%, while GFCF, reflecting investment momentum, may increase by 7.8%.
MISCELLANEOUS
Madhya Pradesh–Assam Inter-State Wildlife Exchange Initiative
• Madhya Pradesh and Assam have cleared a coordinated wildlife translocation plan to boost biodiversity conservation.
• The agreement was finalised after a meeting between CM Dr. Mohan Yadav and CM Himanta Biswa Sarma in Guwahati.
• Assam will relocate 50 wild water buffaloes to Madhya Pradesh in a phased manner over three years.
• The transfer also includes one pair of one-horned rhinos and three king cobras for conservation purposes.
• All incoming animals will first undergo acclimatisation and health monitoring at Van Vihar National Park, Bhopal.
• Wild water buffaloes will be reintroduced at Kanha Tiger Reserve, restoring a species extinct locally for over a century.
• In return, Madhya Pradesh will send Assam two tigers and six mugger crocodiles.
• Kanha Tiger Reserve was selected based on WII studies, citing ideal grasslands, water availability, low human pressure, and strong prey base.
