IMPORTANT DAYS

National Youth Day 2026 (Rashtriya Yuva Diwas)

• India observes National Youth Day every year on 12 January to honour its young population.

• The day commemorates the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda, a renowned philosopher and spiritual icon.

• The Government of India declared 12 January as National Youth Day in 1984, with celebrations beginning from 1985.

• Swami Vivekananda was born on 12 January 1863 in Kolkata as Narendranath Datta.

• He was a disciple of Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa and established the Ramakrishna Mission in 1897.

• Swami Vivekananda’s life journey ended in 1902, but his ideas continue to inspire Indian youth.

• On this occasion in 2026, Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the concluding session of the Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue in New Delhi.

• The Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue serves as a national forum for meaningful interaction between youth and the country’s leadership.

STATE NEWS

Keyi Panyor to Become India’s First Bio-Happy District

• Keyi Panyor district in Arunachal Pradesh has been chosen for India’s first Bio-Happy District initiative.

• The development work has been formally initiated to operationalise the bio-happiness model.

• The project is being led by the M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF).

• District authorities are partnering in implementation to ensure local integration.

• The idea of bio-happiness was conceptualised by Dr. M.S. Swaminathan, linking well-being with nature.

• The programme will evaluate livelihood patterns, agro-biodiversity, and environmental sustainability.

• Special focus is placed on human welfare through conservation and sustainable resource use.

• Advanced components include AI-based plant disease detection and health impact studies with IIT Madras and Sri Ramachandra Institute, revived during Swaminathan’s centenary year.

Tamil Nadu Launches India’s First Deep Tech Startup Policy

• Tamil Nadu has introduced India’s first exclusive policy for deep tech start-ups.

• The policy was unveiled by Chief Minister M.K. Stalin at UmagineTN 2026.

• It is officially named the Tamil Nadu Deep Tech Startup Policy 2025–26 (TNDTSP).

• The vision is to establish Tamil Nadu as the country’s leading deep tech innovation hub.

• Key goals include cutting-edge innovation, industrial expansion, and MSME growth.

• The iTNT Hub has been appointed as the nodal agency for implementation.

• The state aims to support 100 deep tech start-ups and attract ₹100 crore in investments.

• Eligibility requires a registered or operational presence in Tamil Nadu with at least 25% of the workforce employed within the state, alongside strong academia–industry technology transfer and skill training for over 10,000 individuals.

BOOKS AND AUTHORS

Book on President Droupadi Murmu Released in Visakhapatnam

• A biography highlighting President Droupadi Murmu’s life journey was unveiled in Visakhapatnam.

• The book release was uniquely done by Laxmamma, a sanitation worker at Andhra University, symbolising inclusiveness.

• The event took place in an open-air setting on the Andhra University campus, under a tree.

• The book is titled “Agni Sarassulo Vikasinchina Kamalam Droupadi Murmu.”

• It has been written by Yarlagadda Lakshmi Prasad, former MP and President of the Viswa Hindi Parishad.

• The title reflects President Murmu’s rise from adversity to India’s highest constitutional office.

• Choosing a sanitation worker for the launch highlighted social equality and respect for labour.

• The author described the President’s life as a source of inspiration for women, tribal communities, and marginalised sections.

GOVERNMENT SCHEME

Prasar Bharati Launches “Creator’s Corner” on DD News

• Prasar Bharati introduced “Creator’s Corner,” a new segment on DD News for digital creators.

• The initiative aims to offer nationwide visibility to emerging content creators.

• Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw termed it part of ongoing media sector reforms.

• The move aligns with the government’s push to strengthen India’s Orange (creative) Economy.

• Platforms like WAVES were noted for supporting nearly one crore creators and generating about ₹5,000 crore.

• The programme focuses on empowering creators from small towns and diverse linguistic backgrounds.

• “Creator’s Corner” will be telecast Monday to Friday at 7 PM, featuring short thematic videos.

• Launched by Prasar Bharati, India’s public broadcaster established in 1997, the initiative treats creators as professional content producers.

ECONOMY NEWS

India’s Direct Tax Collection

• Net direct tax receipts recorded 8.82% growth up to mid-January of the current financial year.

• As per the Income Tax Department, collections crossed ₹18.38 lakh crore by 11 January.

• Corporate tax inflows remained steady at around ₹8.63 lakh crore during this period.

• Individual taxpayers emerged as a major driver of overall tax growth.

• Securities Transaction Tax (STT) collections reflected strong activity in capital markets.

• Tax refunds declined by nearly 17%, which helped boost net collections.

• Gross direct tax revenue showed a moderate rise of about 4.14% year-on-year.

• For FY 2025–26, the government expects 12.7% growth in direct taxes and has set an STT target of ₹78,000 crore.