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TODAY NEWS HIGHLIGHT
➤ Aryan Varshney becomes India's 92nd Chess Grandmaster
➤ Praveen Vashisht appointed Vigilance Commissioner of Central Vigilance Commission
➤ New mutual fund rules: SEBI allows performance-based expense structure from April 2026
➤ India and Germany sign Joint Declaration on Telecommunications Cooperation
➤ Karnataka rectifies Jamma Bane land records to fix decades-old issues in Kodagu
➤ 300-year-old giant black coral discovered in New Zealand's deep sea
➤ GAIL completes landmark 694 km Maharashtra Gas Pipeline project
➤ Finke River recognised as the world's oldest flowing river
1. Aryan Varshney Becomes India's 92nd Chess Grandmaster
Young chess player Aryan Varshney from Delhi has achieved the Grandmaster title with a stellar performance at the Andranik Margaryan Memorial Tournament held in Armenia, bringing another significant achievement for India on the international chess stage. With this success, he has become India's 92nd Grandmaster, reflecting the strong grassroots structure of chess in the country and the increasing global participation of young talents.
2. Praveen Vashisht Appointed as Vigilance Commissioner in the Central Vigilance Commission
In a significant administrative step towards strengthening the anti-corruption system, the Central Government has appointed senior IPS officer Praveen Vashisht as a Vigilance Commissioner in the Central Vigilance Commission. He formally assumed office after taking the oath of office and secrecy on January 16, 2026.
3. New Mutual Fund Rules: SEBI Allows Performance-Based Fee Structure from April 2026
India's mutual fund industry is entering a period of significant regulatory change, as the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has notified the most comprehensive reforms in nearly three decades. Under these reforms, mutual fund schemes are being allowed to adopt a performance-linked fee structure for the first time, effective April 1, 2026.
4. India and Germany Sign Joint Declaration on Telecommunications Cooperation
India and Germany took a significant step in January 2026 to further strengthen their strategic partnership in the digital and telecommunications sectors. During high-level meetings, both countries signed a Joint Declaration of Intent (JDI) on telecommunications cooperation, reflecting their shared commitment to innovation, digital governance, and sustainable technology-based development.
5. Karnataka Reforms Jamma Bane Land Records to Address Decades-Old Issues in Kodagu
The Karnataka government has implemented a significant legislative reform to modernize, transparentize, and streamline land administration in the Kodagu region. To this end, the Karnataka Land Revenue (Second Amendment) Act, 2025, has been notified after receiving the assent of Governor Thawar Chand Gehlot.
6. Giant 300-Year-Old Black Coral Discovered in New Zealand's Deep Sea
Marine scientists have made an extremely rare and significant discovery in the deep sea of the Fiordland region off the coast of New Zealand, where a giant black coral, estimated to be around 300-400 years old, has been found. This discovery is considered scientifically very important for understanding the longevity, stability, and biodiversity of deep-sea ecosystems.
7. GAIL Completes Historic 694 km Maharashtra Gas Pipeline Project
India has set a new and innovative benchmark in infrastructure development, with the public sector company GAIL (India) Limited successfully completing the 694-kilometer Mumbai-Nagpur natural gas pipeline project in Maharashtra. This project is considered special because almost the entire pipeline was laid along the Samruddhi Mahamarg (expressway) in a narrow 3-meter-wide utility corridor.
8. Finke River Recognized as the World's Oldest Flowing River
According to scientific studies, the Finke River, which flows through the arid interior of Australia, is considered the oldest river system still in existence on Earth. Geological evidence suggests that it originated approximately 300–400 million years ago and has flowed along essentially the same course ever since.
QUIZ WITH EXPLANATIONS
1. In which country did Aryan Varshney achieve the Grandmaster title?
A - Russia
B - Georgia
C - Armenia
D - Uzbekistan
Young Delhi-based chess player Aryan Varshney achieved the Grandmaster title with a brilliant performance at the Andranik Margaryan Memorial Tournament held in Armenia, becoming India's 92nd Grandmaster.
2. To which position has Praveen Vashisht been appointed?
A - Central Vigilance Commissioner
B - Vigilance Commissioner
C - CBI Director
D - Home Secretary
Senior IPS officer Praveen Vashisht has been appointed as a Vigilance Commissioner in the Central Vigilance Commission by the Central Government and assumed office on January 16, 2026.
3. Which regulatory body has approved the performance-based fee structure in mutual funds?
A - RBI
B - SEBI
C - IRDAI
D - PFRDA
A major regulatory reform has been initiated in India's mutual fund industry, with the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) approving a performance-based fee structure for the first time.
4. Which document was signed between India and Germany for digital and telecommunications cooperation?
A - MoU
B - LoI
C - JDI
D - PTA
India and Germany signed a Joint Declaration of Intent (JDI) in January 2026 to strengthen cooperation in the digital and telecommunications sectors.
5. The Karnataka Land Revenue (Second Amendment) Act, 2025 is related to which sector?
A - Urban Development
B - Land Administration
C - Forest Conservation
D - Panchayat Raj
The Act aims to modernize land administration in Kodagu and resolve long-standing ownership disputes related to Jamma Bane lands.
6. A giant black coral has been discovered off the coast of which country?
A - Australia
B - Chile
C - New Zealand
D - Japan
Scientists discovered a giant black coral in New Zealand's Fiordland deep-sea region, estimated to be 300-400 years old.
7. Which public sector company completed the Mumbai-Nagpur natural gas pipeline project?
A - ONGC
B - IOCL
C - GAIL (India) Limited
D - BPCL
GAIL (India) Limited completed the 694-kilometer-long Mumbai-Nagpur natural gas pipeline project in Maharashtra.
8. In which country is the Finke River located?
A - South Africa
B - Australia
C - Chile
D - Peru
The Finke River flows through the arid interior of Australia and is considered one of the world's oldest river systems.
ONE LINER
What type of document have India and Germany signed for telecommunications cooperation? - Joint Declaration of Intent (JDI)
Who recently became India's 92nd chess Grandmaster? - Aryan Varshney
In which year did the Central Vigilance Commission receive statutory status? - 2003
In which country did Aryan Varshney achieve his Grandmaster norm? - Armenia
What is the recent Karnataka law related to land record reforms in Kodagu district? - Karnataka Land Revenue (Second Amendment) Act, 2025
Which regulator is implementing the performance-based fee structure in mutual funds? - Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI)
In which country is the Finke River, considered to be the world's oldest flowing river, located? - Australia
Which senior IPS officer assumed charge as Vigilance Commissioner in the Central Vigilance Commission in January 2026? - Praveen Vashisht
From which date will SEBI's new mutual fund rules come into effect? - April 1, 2026
In which country's waters was a massive 300-400 year old black coral recently discovered? - New Zealand