IMPORTANT DAYS

National Girl Child Day observed on 24 January

• National Girl Child Day observed every year on 24 January, this day focuses on promoting girls’ rights and empowerment in India.

• It emphasizes equal opportunities in education, health, nutrition, and overall welfare for girls.

• Initiated by the Ministry of Women and Child Development in 2008 to raise awareness on girl child issues.

• As of January 2026, efforts have prevented 2,153 child marriages across the country.

• Over 60,000 Child Marriage Prohibition Officers have been appointed to enforce laws against child marriage.

• The Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) for girls at the secondary level reached 80.2% in 2024–25, according to UDISE.

• Around 97.5% of schools nationwide now provide separate toilet facilities for girls.

• The national Sex Ratio at Birth has improved from 918 in 2014–15 to 930 in 2023–24, reflecting progress in gender balance.

NATIONAL NEWS

‘Prakash Ganga’ Tableau to Highlight India’s Power Sector at Republic Day 2026

• The Ministry of Power will present a tableau titled “Prakash Ganga: Powering an Aatmanirbhar and Viksit Bharat” at the Republic Day Parade on 26 January 2026.

• The tableau will trace India’s transformation from universal electrification to global leadership in clean energy.

• “Prakash Ganga” represents the continuous and integrated flow of electricity through the national power grid.

• Models of robotic smart meters and wind turbines will showcase digitalisation and automation in energy management.

• The idea of “Smart Power, Smarter Home” will emphasise rooftop solar energy and citizens as energy producers.

• High-voltage transmission towers will symbolise reliable last-mile power connectivity in both rural and urban India.

• Electric vehicle charging stations and clean mobility solutions will reflect the shift towards sustainable transport.

• The display will reaffirm the government’s focus on affordable, reliable and sustainable power for nation-building.

25th Bharat Rang Mahotsav 2026: Global Celebration of Theatre

• The National School of Drama will host the 25th Bharat Rang Mahotsav from 27 January to 20 February 2026.

• Recognised as the world’s largest international theatre festival, the 2026 edition will be its biggest-ever.

• The festival will be staged across 40 venues nationwide, including first-time hosts like Ladakh and island regions such as Andaman & Nicobar, Lakshadweep, and Daman & Diu.

• Theatre productions from all seven continents will participate, ensuring truly global representation.

• The programme includes 277 Indian plays and 12 international productions.

• Performances will span 228 languages and dialects, featuring mainstream, tribal, and lesser-known tongues like Maithili, Tulu, Tai Khamti, Nyishi, and Sanskrit.

• Inclusive storytelling will be highlighted through works by transgender groups, sex workers, and senior citizens.

• Special highlights include a tribute seminar to Ebrahim Alkazi, awards for selected plays, and the launch of 17 theatre books under the Shruti initiative.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

To Lam Reappointed as Vietnam’s Top Communist Party Leader

• Vietnam’s ruling Communist Party has unanimously re-elected To Lam for another five-year term as its top leader.

• The decision was taken by the 180-member Central Committee following the party congress held every five years.

• Vietnam continues to function under a one-party political system, with the Communist Party holding absolute authority.

• Alongside leadership decisions, the party approved a new economic resolution targeting minimum 10% annual growth.

• A total of 19 leaders were inducted into the powerful Politburo, the party’s highest decision-making body.

• To Lam topped the Politburo ranking, followed by Parliament Speaker Tran Thanh Man and senior leader Tran Cam Tu.

• Influential Defence Minister Phan Van Giang was placed lower, while Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and President Luong Cuong were excluded from the list.

• Vietnam, a Southeast Asian nation, has Hanoi as its capital and uses the dong as its currency.

India Named Partner Country at Gulfood 2026

• Gulfood 2026, the world’s largest food and beverage trade fair, will be held from 26–30 January with India as partner country for the first time.

• Dubai sets a global first as Gulfood runs simultaneously at two venues—Dubai World Trade Centre and Dubai Exhibition Centre, Expo City.

• India’s participation marks a major boost with 161 Indian exhibitors presenting the country’s diverse agri-food ecosystem.

• The Indian pavilion has doubled in size, signalling strong growth in agri-food exports and rising international demand.

• A major attraction is the Bharati Pavilion, APEDA’s flagship platform for promoting export-ready agri-food and agri-tech startups.

• Located in the Startup Zone at DWTC, the pavilion showcases 8 selected startups chosen from over 100 national applicants.

• India will feature across both venues, covering beverage, startup, food, grains, pulses, cereals, and sustainability-focused halls.

• Gulfood 2026 hosts 8,500+ exhibitors from 195 countries, with participation from 25 Indian states, reflecting India’s wide regional representation.

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Gujarat Hosts India’s First Integrated Private Satellite Manufacturing Facility

• Gujarat has marked a milestone in the private space sector with the launch of a satellite manufacturing project at Khoraj, Sanand.

• The foundation stone was laid for India’s first fully integrated private satellite manufacturing plant.

• The facility is being developed by Azista Space and includes an Electro-Optical Payload Manufacturing Unit.

• Named “Palmnaro”, the plant will focus on indigenous production of satellites and space components.

• The project reflects the growing role of private players in India’s space technology ecosystem.

• Science and Technology Minister Arjun Modhwadia attended the foundation ceremony.

• The minister highlighted that Gujarat is advancing the vision of Dr. Vikram Sarabhai and emerging as a space technology hub.

• Once operational, the facility is expected to boost India’s aerospace manufacturing capacity and innovation ecosystem.