IMPORTANT DAYS
Lokpal of India: Foundation Day and Key Features
• Lokpal of India marked its Foundation Day on 16 January 2026.
• It became operational on 16 January 2014 under the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013.
• Lokpal functions as an independent statutory anti-corruption authority at the Union level.
• It investigates corruption allegations against senior political and bureaucratic functionaries.
• The concept was first proposed in 1963 and recommended by the First ARC (1966).
• The institution comprises a Chairperson and up to eight Members, judicial and non-judicial.
• Members are appointed by the President of India on Selection Committee recommendations.
• The Chairperson must be a former CJI or Supreme Court Judge, with a tenure of five years or till 70 years.
Thiruvalluvar Day Celebrated on 16 January 2026
• Thiruvalluvar Day was observed in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry on 16 January.
• The occasion honours Saint Thiruvalluvar as part of the Pongal festivities.
• The celebration began in 1935 at Pachaiappan College, Chennai.
• National leaders including the Prime Minister and Vice President conveyed greetings.
• Thiruvalluvar’s teachings highlight love, compassion and moral living.
• He authored the Tirukkural, a timeless work on ethics, governance and relationships.
• The Tirukkural contains 1330 couplets, organised into 133 chapters.
• Valluvar Kottam, built in Chennai in 1976, stands as a grand memorial in his honour.
APPOINTMENT
Praveen Vashista Appointed Vigilance Commissioner
• Praveen Vashista took charge as Vigilance Commissioner on 16 January 2026.
• He is a 1991-batch IPS officer from the Bihar cadre.
• Prior to this role, he served as Special Secretary (Internal Security) in the Ministry of Home Affairs.
• He opted for voluntary retirement on 15 January 2026.
• The appointment was made under Section 4(1) of the CVC Act, 2003.
• The Central Vigilance Commission functions as a statutory body for integrity oversight.
• The Commission comprises one Chief Vigilance Commissioner and two Vigilance Commissioners.
• Each Vigilance Commissioner serves a four-year term or up to 65 years of age.
RANKING AND REPORTS
Jammu and Kashmir Secures 2nd Rank in EPI 2024
• Jammu and Kashmir achieved second position in EPI 2024 among small states, NE states and UTs.
• The ranking was released by NITI Aayog as part of its annual export assessment.
• The UT scored 51.08 points, earning a place in the “Leader” category.
• This marks a sharp rise from 17th rank in EPI 2022.
• The index evaluates preparedness across policy, business ecosystem, infrastructure and performance.
• District Export Plans and ODOP initiatives played a vital role.
• Exporter training and outreach programmes strengthened local capabilities.
• The progress reflects focused governance and institutional reforms.
Unified Coaching Ecosystem Report Submitted to Government
• A Task Force report on coaching ecosystem reform has been submitted to the government.
• The initiative was announced by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.
• The report outlines a national framework for coach development.
• Emphasis has been laid on professionalising coaching as a career.
• It recommends a tiered coaching pathway, from grassroots to national teams.
• A National Coach Accreditation Board has been proposed as the apex authority.
• The Task Force was chaired by Pullela Gopichand, India’s badminton head coach.
• A support model titled “TOPS for Coaches” has been suggested on Olympic lines.
STATE NEWS
Mizoram Declared Ginger Capital of India
• NITI Aayog has officially recognised Mizoram as the Ginger Capital of India.
• The status reflects both high output and superior quality of ginger.
• Chief Minister Lalduhoma credited local farmers for this achievement.
• Ginger cultivation has brought national recognition to the state.
• A Ginger Processing Unit was inaugurated at Sairang Horticulture Centre.
• The state plans to expand cultivation of passion fruit as a high-income crop.
• Over 3.38 crore kg of ginger was procured in 2025.
• The achievement strengthens Mizoram’s position in horticulture-led growth.
GOVERNMENT SCHEMES
National Campaign Launched to Promote Women-Led Enterprises
• The Ministry of Rural Development launched a National Entrepreneurship Campaign.
• The programme aims to train 50,000 Community Resource Persons.
• 50 lakh women SHG members will receive entrepreneurship training.
• The initiative operates under DAY–NRLM.
• Focus is on expanding non-farm rural enterprises.
• It builds on successful models like the Start-up Village Entrepreneurship Programme.
• Women SHGs are being supported to manage sustainable small businesses.
• The goal is to create three crore Lakhpati Didis earning ₹1 lakh annually.
Namami Gange: New Aquatic Conservation Initiatives Launched
• Union Jal Shakti Minister C.R. Paatil inaugurated multiple biodiversity projects.
• The launches reaffirmed the government’s commitment to river conservation.
• An Aqua Life Conservation Monitoring Centre was set up with WII support.
• The centre enables scientific tracking of freshwater biodiversity.
• Advanced labs focus on ecology, ecotoxicology and microplastics.
• A Dolphin Rescue Ambulance was introduced for emergency interventions.
• Projects for Indian Skimmer and gharial conservation were unveiled.
• A publication titled “Millets for Life” linked biodiversity with nutrition security.
SPORTS
Aaryan Varshney Becomes India’s 92nd Chess Grandmaster
• Indian chess player Aaryan Varshney earned the Grandmaster title on 15 January in Armenia.
• He clinched the title by winning the Andranik Margaryan Memorial Tournament before the final round.
• The decisive third GM norm came after an eighth-round draw against FM Tyhran Ambartsumian.
• At just 21 years of age, he entered India’s elite Grandmaster club.
• Varshney is now the 92nd Grandmaster from India.
• He became the eighth GM from Delhi, strengthening the city’s chess reputation.
• A GM norm signifies performance at the highest competitive level under FIDE rules.
• To earn the title, players must secure three GM norms and a minimum 2500 FIDE rating.
