TODAY NEWS HIGHLIGHT
➤ Tripura Gramin Bank launches India's first solar-powered ATM van
➤ Alyssa Healy announces retirement from international cricket
➤ ICAR and NDDB enter into a strategic alliance to strengthen dairy research
➤ India to host 28th Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of the Commonwealth
➤ Wholesale inflation rose to 0.83% in December 2025
➤ India ranks 80th in the world's strongest passport index
➤ Jio to launch country's first Made-in-India AI platform
➤ National Startup Day
1. Tripura Gramin Bank Launches India's First Solar-Powered ATM Van
In January 2026, Tripura Gramin Bank launched India's first fully solar-powered mobile ATM van, 'TGB on Wheels', marking a new initiative in rural banking. The van aims to extend banking services to remote and rural areas where electricity supply is unreliable or limited. This initiative simultaneously promotes financial inclusion and environmentally friendly banking.
2. Alyssa Healy Announces Retirement from International Cricket
Australian women's cricket legend, wicketkeeper-batter and captain Alyssa Healy has announced her retirement from all formats of international cricket. Her retirement will be effective after the multi-format home series against the Indian women's team in February-March 2026. Healy has clarified that this series against India will be her final international assignment for Australia.
3. ICAR and NDDB Forge Strategic Alliance to Strengthen Dairy Research
A significant Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) on January 12, 2026, to empower the dairy sector. The MoU aims to strengthen dairy research, innovation, and extension services, establishing effective synergy between scientific research and grassroots implementation.
4. India to Host the 28th Conference of Commonwealth Speakers and Presiding Officers
India will host the 28th Conference of Commonwealth Speakers and Presiding Officers (CSPOC) in New Delhi in January 2026, a significant international event showcasing India's democratic traditions and global leadership. The conference will be held on January 15-16, 2026, and will be attended by Speakers and Presiding Officers from over 60 Commonwealth countries and semi-autonomous legislatures.
5. Wholesale Inflation Rises to 0.83% in December 2025
India's wholesale price index (WPI) based inflation rate registered 0.83 percent in December 2025, returning to positive territory after two consecutive months of deflation. This shift indicates that the period of declining prices at the wholesale level is gradually coming to an end. However, the current level remains lower compared to the 2.57 percent WPI inflation recorded in December 2024.
6. India Ranks 80th in the World's Strongest Passport Index
The Henley Passport Index 2026 shows a slight improvement in India's global travel access, highlighting the country's international mobility status. India is ranked 80th in this index, and Indian passport holders now have visa-free, visa-on-arrival, or e-visa access to 55 countries and territories. This represents an improvement compared to previous years, although visa restrictions for developed countries still remain.
7. Jio to Launch India's First Made-in-India AI Platform
Mukesh Ambani, Chairman of Reliance Industries, has announced that Jio will soon launch a “people-first artificial intelligence platform” aimed at making AI accessible to every Indian. This platform will provide AI services to people in their own language, on their personal digital devices, and at affordable costs. The initiative will begin in Gujarat and will later be expanded globally.
8. National Startup Day
National Startup Day in India is celebrated every year on January 16th, with the aim of encouraging the country's startup ecosystem and accelerating innovation-driven growth. This day honors entrepreneurs and provides a strong platform for dialogue among the government, private sector, investors, and youth. The background of National Startup Day is linked to January 16, 2016, when the Government of India launched the Startup India initiative.
QUIZ WITH EXPLANATIONS
1. What is ‘TGB on Wheels’ related to?
A - Solar-powered mobile hospital
B - Solar-powered mobile ATM van
C - Digital payment app
D - Rural insurance scheme
In January 2026, Tripura Gramin Bank launched India's first fully solar-powered mobile ATM van, ‘TGB on Wheels’, aimed at providing uninterrupted banking services to rural and remote areas with limited electricity availability. The van is powered by solar panels and provides basic banking facilities such as cash withdrawals.
2. What has been Alyssa Healy's greatest achievement as captain?
A - Two ODI World Cup wins
B - A 16–0 Ashes whitewash
C - Three consecutive T20 World Cup wins
D - Commonwealth Games gold medal
Australian women's cricket legend, wicketkeeper-batter and captain Alyssa Healy has announced her retirement from all formats of international cricket, effective after the home multi-format series against the Indian women's team in February–March 2026. She clarified that this series would be her final international assignment.
3. Which national goal is the ICAR–NDDB partnership considered to be linked to?
A - Digital India
B - Make in India
C - Developed India
D - Startup India
On January 12, 2026, a significant Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB), aiming to strengthen dairy research, innovation, and extension services.
4. In which year will India host the 28th Conference of CSPOC?
A - 2025
B - 2026
C - 2027
D - 2024
India will host the 28th Conference of Commonwealth Speakers and Presiding Officers (CSPOC) in New Delhi in January 2026. The conference will be held on January 15-16, 2026, and will be attended by Speakers and Presiding Officers from over 60 Commonwealth countries.
5. What was the WPI-based inflation rate recorded in December 2025?
A - 2.57%
B - 1.33%
C - 0.83%
D - –0.32%
India's wholesale price index-based inflation reached 0.83 percent in December 2025, turning positive again after two months of deflation. This indicates that the period of price decline at the wholesale level is ending and industrial activity is gradually improving.
6. What rank did India achieve in the Henley Passport Index 2026?
A - 70th
B - 75th
C - 80th
D - 85th
The Henley Passport Index 2026 shows a slight improvement in India's global travel access. India is ranked 80th in this ranking, and Indian passport holders have visa-free, visa-on-arrival, or e-visa access to 55 countries and territories.
7. What type of new AI platform is Jio going to launch?
A - Industry-First AI Platform
B - Data-First AI Platform
C - People-First AI Platform
D - Government-First AI Platform
Mukesh Ambani has announced that Jio will soon launch a “People-First Artificial Intelligence Platform,” aiming to make AI accessible to every Indian in their own language, on their own devices, and at an affordable cost. This initiative will begin in Gujarat and later be expanded globally.
8. In which year was the Startup India initiative launched?
A - 2014
B - 2015
C - 2016
D - 2017
National Startup Day is celebrated every year on January 16th in India, with the aim of promoting the startup culture and accelerating innovation-driven growth. This day commemorates the launch of the Startup India initiative.
ONE LINER
Which international parliamentary conference will India host in January 2026? - Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of the Commonwealth (CSPOC)
From which state will the "People-First AI Platform" announced by Jio be launched? - Gujarat
Who is the Australian women's captain who announced her retirement from international cricket? - Alyssa Healy
On which date is National Startup Day celebrated every year in India? - January 16
Which bank launched India's first fully solar-powered mobile ATM van, 'TGB on Wheels'? - Tripura Gramin Bank
What rank did India secure in the Henley Passport Index 2026? - 80th rank
Against which country will Alyssa Healy play her final international assignment? - India
What was India's WPI-based wholesale inflation rate in December 2025? - 0.83 percent
With which institution did ICAR sign an MoU in January 2026 to strengthen dairy research? - National Dairy Development Board (NDDB)
Which national institution is supporting the 'TGB on Wheels' project? - National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD)