Daily Current Affairs and GK | 16 January 2026

Topic: Government Schemes and Initiatives

1. Several aquatic biodiversity conservation initiatives under the Namami Gange Mission were inaugurated by Union Jal Shakti Minister C.R. Paatil.

• The Minister reiterated the government’s commitment to river conservation.
• The newly launched initiatives include the Aqua Life Conservation Monitoring Centre for Ganga and other rivers.
• It has been jointly developed with the Wildlife Institute of India.
• It will support scientific monitoring of freshwater biodiversity.
• The centre is equipped with ecotoxicology, aquatic ecology, spatial ecology and microplastic labs.
• The Minister also inaugurated a Dolphin Rescue Ambulance.
• It is aimed at providing emergency responses for Ganga dolphins in distress.
• The Minister called dolphins as indicators of river health.
• Indian Skimmer Conservation Project has been officially launched by the Bombay Natural History Society.
• It is aimed at protecting rare bird species along Ganga River stretches.
• The Minister also interacted with Ganga Praharis. Ganga Praharis are trained community volunteers involved in river protection.
• A conservation action plan for the endangered gharial has also been released.
• A publication, titled “Millets for Life”, was also released. It links biodiversity with food and nutrition security.

Topic: Government Schemes and Initiatives

2. A national campaign to boost women-led enterprises has been launched by Rural Development Ministry.

• A National Campaign on Entrepreneurship has been launched by the Ministry of Rural Development. 
• This campaign aims to train 50,000 Community Resource Persons (CRPs) in enterprise promotion. 
• It also aims to provide Entrepreneurship Development Programme (EDP) training to 50 lakh women Self Help Group members under the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihoods Mission.
• The programme is designed to accelerate non-farm rural enterprise development.
• It is also designed to strengthen grassroots' entrepreneurship capacity.
• The initiative builds on earlier successful non-farm livelihood models and programmes like the Start-up Village Entrepreneurship Programme.
• Such models have helped SHG women manage small enterprises effectively.
• The government has fixed a target of creating three crore Lakhpati Didis, women SHG members earning at least ₹1 lakh annually.

Topic: State News/Mizoram

3. Mizoram has been declared as the ‘Ginger Capital of India’.

• NITI Aayog has officially declared the state as Ginger Capital based on its rapid growth in ginger production.
• It also reflects the high quality of ginger produced in Mizoram.
• Chief Minister Lalduhoma credited the achievement to the sustained efforts of farmers.
• The Chief Minister noted that ginger has brought Mizoram rare national recognition.
• The Chief Minister inaugurated the Ginger Processing Unit established at the Sairang Horticulture Centre, around 21 km from Aizawl.
• Lalduhoma said passion fruit also has strong income-generating potential and the government will promote passion fruit cultivation more widely.
• According to the Mizoram Agricultural Marketing Board, over 3.38 crore kg of ginger was procured in 2025.

Topic: State News/Gujarat

4. Gandhinagar Kite festival 2026 inaugurated by Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel.

• It marked the beginning of Patang Utsav 2026 in the city.
• The inauguration took place on 14 January in Gandhinagar.
• The Chief Minister extended warm greetings to the people on the occasion for Uttarayan.
• Uttarayan is considered an auspicious period in the Hindu calendar. It symbolises the start of longer days.
• The Chief Minister inaugurated the festival by releasing balloons into the sky.
• The International Kite Festival is a major attraction in Gujarat.
• Ahmedabad remains a central location for the festival. Over the years, the festival has expanded to other cities, including Surat, Rajkot and Dholavira.

Topic: Reports and Indices

5. Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports announced that Task Force on the Unified Framework for Development of Coaching Ecosystem in India has submitted its report to the government.

• The Task Force was formed to design a unified framework for developing the coaching ecosystem in India.
• The report focuses on the long-term growth of sports coaching across the country.
• It outlines a national structure for coach development. It also addresses coach accreditation at different levels.
• The report emphasises the professionalisation of coaching as a career.
• Clear and actionable policy recommendations included in the report aim to create a strong and future-ready coaching system.
• The Task Force was headed by Indian badminton national head coach Pullela Gopichand.
• The Task Force proposed setting up a National Coach Accreditation Board.
• This body would function as the apex national authority for coaches and oversee coach education and certification.
• The report has recommended a tiered national coaching pathway, beginning at the grassroots level.
• It would lead to intermediate coaching roles. The highest tier would be national team coaches.
• Drawing inspiration from the Target Olympic Podium Scheme, the Task Force proposed a similar support model for coaches.
• The initiative has been termed “TOPS for Coaches”.

Topic: Sports

6. Australia captain Alyssa Healy announced her retirement after the India series.

• Retirement from international cricket has been announced by Australia captain Alyssa Healy after the upcoming multi-format series against India.
• The decision has been taken after a distinguished career spanning nearly 15 years in Australia’s women’s cricket team.
• Two ODI World Cup titles and six T20 World Cup triumphs were achieved during her playing career.
• Captaincy of the Australian side was assumed by Healy following the retirement of Meg Lanning in late 2023.
• Healy stated that while her passion for representing Australia remains, her competitive edge has gradually declined.
• Australia was represented by her for the first time in 2010, marking the beginning of a long international journey.
• In One-Day Internationals, she scored 3,563 runs with seven centuries, while 3,054 runs were made in T20 Internationals.
• She dismissed a total of 275 players behind the stumps, which highlights his impact as a wicketkeeper.
• The upcoming India tour will include three ODIs and one Test, which will mark her final international appearances.

Topic: Important Days

7. The 78th Army Day celebrated on 15 January with a grand parade in Jaipur.

• The event was organised on Mahal Road in Jagatpura to showcase the valour and discipline of the Indian Army.
• Smartly turned-out contingents were seen marching past the saluting dais with professional excellence.
• Advanced military capabilities of the Army were displayed during the parade.
• Indigenous missile systems, advanced tanks, drones and modern combat vehicles were showcased.
• Participation by soldiers from various regiments highlighted the Army’s diverse traditions and combat skills.
• The Nepal Army Band also took part, reflecting strong defence cooperation between India and Nepal.
• Cultural performances such as Kalbelia and Gair dances added regional colour to the ceremony.
• The event was attended by the Governor Haribhau Bagde, Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma, senior Army officials and a large number of citizens.
• As part of the celebrations, a 'Shaurya Sandhya' was organized at the SMS Stadium, which was also attended by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.

Topic: Sports

8. The India Open badminton tournament has started in New Delhi.

• The India Open Badminton Tournament has commenced at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in New Delhi on 13 January.
• Two-time Olympic medalist PV Sindhu will lead India's challenge in this competition.
• Currently ranked 18th, Sindhu is making a comeback after a challenging 2025 season and a long break due to injury.
• In men’s singles, Lakshya Sen and Ayush Shetty are set to face each other in the opening round.
• The BWF World Championships are also scheduled to take place at the same venue in August, so the India Open gives players a chance to familiarize themselves with the playing conditions.
• The Super 750 event, which is the second tournament of the 2026 BWF World Tour, will feature many of the world's top players.
• The 2026 India Open, officially known as the Yonex Sunrise India Open 2026 for sponsorship reasons, is a badminton tournament taking place in New Delhi from January 13 to 18, 2026.

Topic: Reports and Indices

9. Jammu and Kashmir ranked second in Export Preparedness Index 2024.

• A significant milestone in the export development journey of Jammu and Kashmir has been achieved with the securing of the second position among small states, northeastern states, and Union Territories in the Export Preparedness Index (EPI) 2024.
• The ranking has been released by NITI Aayog as part of its annual assessment.
• Jammu and Kashmir scored an impressive 51.08 points and has been placed in the "Leader" category in the EPI 2024 classification.
• A sharp improvement has been recorded from the 17th position in EPI 2022 to the 2nd rank in 2024.
• The Export Preparedness Index evaluates export readiness across policy, business ecosystem, export ecosystem and performance.
• District Export Plans and the One District One Product initiative played a key role in this progress.
• Exporter outreach and capacity-building programmes strengthened the export ecosystem.
• Institutional mechanisms and facilitation measures for exporters were enhanced.
• The performance reflects focused and outcome-oriented governance efforts in the Union Territory.

Topic: National Appointments

10. IPS officer Rakesh Aggarwal appointed as NIA chief.

• Senior IPS officer Rakesh Aggarwal appointed as the Director General of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) by the Centre on 14 January.
• The approval has been granted by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet.
• Agarwal, a 1994 batch Indian Police Service (IPS) officer of the Himachal Pradesh cadre, is currently the Special Director General in the anti-terror agency.
• He is also holding the additional charge of the DG of the NIA.
• His tenure as DG, NIA, will continue until August 31, 2028, the date of his superannuation.
• Additionally, Shatrujeet Singh Kapoor has been appointed as Director General of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police.
• Kapoor is a 1990-batch IPS officer of the Haryana cadre and will serve as DG, ITBP until October 31, 2026.
• Further, Praveen Kumar has been appointed as the new Director General of the Border Security Force.
• Kumar is a 1993-batch IPS officer of the West Bengal cadre and his tenure as DG, BSF will continue until September 30, 2030.