Daily Current Affairs and GK | 28 January 2026

Topic: Awards and Prizes

1. K. Pajanivel has been honoured with the Padma Shri for his contribution to traditional martial arts.

• He is a leading Silambam artist from Puducherry. The award recognises his role in preserving and promoting Silambam.
• He began training in Silambam under Master Rajaram.
• He has worked to popularise Silambam in India.
• He is known as both a skilled practitioner and a devoted teacher.
• His efforts focus on passing the tradition to younger generations.
• In 2023, he received the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award for Martial Arts.
• Puducherry government awarded him with the Kalaimamani Award in 2012.
• He received the Best Youth Award from Nehru Yuva Kendra in 2004 and won the Silambam International Award in 2002.
• Silambam is an old Indian martial art. It originated in Tamil Nadu.
• It is mentioned in Tamil Sangam literature. It is also known as Silambattam, Chilambam, and Chilambattam.

Topic: Awards and Prizes

2. Jeevan Raksha Padak Series of Awards-2025 approved by the President of India.

• The conferment of the Jeevan Raksha Padak Series of Awards-2025 has been approved by the President of India to honour acts of exceptional bravery.
• A total of 30 persons have been selected for the awards under different categories for saving human lives.
• The Sarvottam Jeevan Raksha Padak has been approved for 6 awardees for acts of the highest degree of gallantry.
• The Uttam Jeevan Raksha Padak has been sanctioned for 6 persons for distinguished acts of life-saving courage.
• The Jeevan Raksha Padak has been approved for 18 individuals to reward saving lives from drowning, fire, or mine accidents.
• Out of the total awardees, 6 awards have been approved to be conferred posthumously.

Topic: State News/Nagaland

3. Nagaland’s First Drone School inaugurated to promote advanced technology skills.

• On 26 January, Nagaland’s first Drone School and Drone Centre of Excellence has been inaugurated at the Nagaland GIS and Remote Sensing Centre in Kohima.
• The facility was formally inaugurated by Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio as part of the 77th Republic Day celebrations.
• The state-of-the-art initiative has been developed under the State GIS and Remote Sensing Centre of the Planning and Transformation Department.
• The Drone School has been established to equip youth with advanced drone technology skills and promote innovation-driven employment.
• The initiative was described by the Chief Minister as a major step towards using modern technology for governance, development, and public service delivery.
• The Drone School has been envisioned as a hub for innovation and capacity building, ensuring technology reaches districts and interior areas.
• DGCA-compliant Remote Pilot Certificate courses along with non-DGCA programmes in FPV flying, drone repair, maintenance, and data mapping are being offered.
• The first batch of 50 trainees sponsored by the Nagaland Skill and Entrepreneurship Development Mission has been enrolled for free training.
• The institution has been equipped with classrooms, laboratories, simulators, assembly workshops, and designated flying grounds.
• The Drone School will also function as a Centre of Excellence for UAV research and provide technical support to government departments.

Topic: State News/Uttarakhand

4. Uniform Civil Code (Amendment) Ordinance, 2026 implemented by Uttarakhand Government.

• The Uniform Civil Code (Amendment) Ordinance, 2026 has been implemented by the Uttarakhand Government following the Governor’s approval.
• The ordinance has been promulgated under Article 213 of the Constitution of India and has come into force with immediate effect.
• Procedural, administrative, and penal improvements have been introduced to ensure effective and transparent implementation of the UCC.
• The amendments have been aimed at promoting women’s empowerment, protecting children’s rights, and ensuring equality in civil matters.
• A major reform under the UCC has been the simplification and digitisation of marriage registration procedures.
• Before the implementation of the UCC, marriages were registered under the Uttarakhand Compulsory Marriage Registration Act, 2010.
• This entire process was offline, requiring both the husband and wife, along with two witnesses, to be physically present at the sub-registrar's office.
• Nearly 100% of marriage registrations are now being completed online without mandatory physical presence at offices.
• More than 4.7 lakh marriage registrations have been completed within a year of the UCC coming into force.
• The amendments have aligned penal provisions with the new Indian legal codes and strengthened appellate mechanisms.
• On completion of one year of UCC implementation, “UCC Day” has been observed on 27 January across Uttarakhand with awareness programmes statewide.

Topic: MoUs/Agreements

5. The historic India-EU free trade agreement finalized in New Delhi.

• On 27 January, the Free Trade Agreement between India and the European Union has been finalised after delegation-level talks in New Delhi.
• The discussions were held between PM Narendra Modi, European Council President Antonio Costa, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
• Seven agreements covering trade, security, defence partnership, mobility, disaster risk management, and green hydrogen were exchanged.
• The agreement has been described as a new blueprint for shared prosperity by the Prime Minister.
• It has been termed India’s biggest free trade deal with the 27-nation European Union.
• The agreement has been hailed as the “mother of all deals” by both Indian and EU leadership.
• The signing has been called a historic moment marking the beginning of a new chapter in India–EU relations.
• The deal is expected to boost investment, innovation partnerships, and global supply chains.
• The European Union has been highlighted as India’s largest trading partner in goods.
• India–EU trade in goods during 2024–25 was valued at around 136 billion US dollars with exports around 76 billion US dollars and imports at 60 billion US dollars.

Topic: Awards and Prizes

6. President’s Police Colour Award conferred on Sikkim Police.

• The President’s Police Colour Award has been conferred on Sikkim Police for distinguished service and professionalism.
• The award, known as the Nishaan, symbolises bravery, discipline, and dedication in policing.
• The honour is worn with pride on the left sleeve of the police uniform.
• Since Independence, only 14 states have earlier received this prestigious distinction.
• Sikkim has become the 15th state in India to receive the President’s Police Colour Award.
• It is the third state in the North Eastern region to be conferred with this honour.
• The flag and insignia will be formally presented during a Colour Presentation Parade later to the Sikkim police.
• President’s Colours:
• The President’s Colours is the highest honour given to any Military/ State police for its exceptional service.
• It is also known as “Rashtrapati ka Nishan”.
• Dr Rajendra Prasad presented the first “President's Colour” to the Indian Navy on 27 May 1951.

Topic: Art and Culture

7. The 11^th Ajanta-Ellora International Film Festival began in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar on 28 January.

• Renowned music composer Ilaiyaraaja will be honoured at the festival.
• He will receive the Padmapani Award for his exceptional contribution to Indian cinema.
• Filmmaker Ashutosh Gowariker and noted sound designer Resul Pookutty will attend the event.
• The festival will open with the screening of the Spanish film 'Siret'.
• The festival will continue until 1 February 2026.
• The festival will offer audiences an opportunity to experience national and international films.
• The festival is being supported by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
• Maharashtra’s Department of Cultural Affairs is also supporting the festival.
• National Film Development Corporation and the Maharashtra Film, Stage and Cultural Development Corporation are co-presenters.

Topic: MoUs/Agreements

8. The RBI and European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) has signed a MoU.

• The MoU concerns cooperation and exchange of information related to Central Counterparties regulated and supervised by RBI.
• The MoU creates a framework for ESMA to rely on RBI’s regulatory and supervisory activities when safeguarding the European Union’s financial stability.
• The MoU highlights the importance of cross-border regulatory cooperation to support smooth functioning of international clearing activities.
• The MoU allows the Clearing Corporation of India Limited to reapply for recognition under the European Market Infrastructure Regulation.
• Clearing Corporation of India Limited is a Central Counterparty established in India. It is supervised by RBI.
• The MoU follows two years of engagement between ESMA and RBI.
• ESMA is continuing discussions with the SEBI and the International Financial Services Centres Authority for similar cooperation arrangements.

Topic: MoUs/Agreements

9. India and Canada signed a Joint Statement on Energy Cooperation.

• The signing took place during India Energy Week 2026 in Goa.
• The agreement strengthens bilateral cooperation in the energy sector and covers both conventional and clean energy areas.
• The statement followed a meeting between India’s Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas, Hardeep Singh Puri and Canada’s Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, Timothy Hodgson.
• The meeting also marked the revival of the India–Canada Ministerial Energy Dialogue.
• Both sides highlighted the need for diversified energy supplies.
• The engagement followed directions from the Prime Ministers of both countries during the G7 Summit in June 2025, held in Kananaskis, Canada.
• Canada pointed to increased crude oil exports to Asia. Crude oil exports will move through the Trans Mountain Expansion pipeline.
• India is the world’s third-largest consumer of oil. India is also the fourth-largest importer of LNG. India is a major global refining hub.
• India will drive over one-third of global energy demand growth in coming decades.
• India highlighted investment opportunities worth nearly 500 billion US dollars, spanning the entire energy value chain.
• The ministers reaffirmed continued government-level dialogue.
• This will continue through the India–Canada Ministerial Energy Dialogue.

Topic: Important Days

10. International Data Privacy Day: 28 January

• International Data Privacy Day is observed each year on 28 January.
• This day emphasizes the importance of safeguarding personal data in an increasingly digital world.
• It is also known as Data Protection Day. The day reminds people of the signing of Convention 108 in 2006 by the Council of Europe.
• This is the world’s first legally binding international treaty on data protection.
• The day also reminds us of shared responsibility of governments, digital platforms, and citizens in establishing a secure, trusted, and inclusive digital ecosystem.
• India is the world’s third-largest digitalised economy.
• India has over 101.7 crore broadband subscribers as of September 2025.
• Government allocated ₹782 crore for cybersecurity in the 2025–26 Budget to protect digital public infrastructure.
• Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 is a key milestone in India’s data protection journey.
• The act governs the processing of personal data collected through digital means.
• Digital Personal Data Protection Rules, 2025 were notified in November 2025.