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TODAY NEWS HIGHLIGHT
➤ Chandana Sinha awarded Indian Railways' highest honour
➤ MSME Ministry approves new technology centre in Himachal Pradesh
➤ Second comprehensive survey of riverine and estuarine dolphins begins
➤ Museveni wins seventh term as Ugandan president
➤ PESA Act implemented in Jharkhand after 25 years
➤ Brazil and Nigeria have become the main export destinations for Indian pharmaceutical companies
➤ The High Seas Treaty comes into effect, a historic initiative to protect marine life
➤ Foundation Day of Tripura, Manipur and Meghalaya
1. Chandana Sinha Receives Indian Railways' Highest Honour
Indian Railways, under the Ministry of Railways, has awarded Inspector Chandana Sinha of the Railway Protection Force (RPF) the Ati Vishisht Rail Seva Puraskar (Most Distinguished Railway Service Award), the highest service honour of Indian Railways. This award recognizes her exceptional contribution to preventing child trafficking on railway stations and trains and the successful rescue of hundreds of children.
2. MSME Ministry Approves New Technology Centers in Himachal Pradesh
The Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) of the Government of India has approved the establishment of two new MSME Technology Centres in Himachal Pradesh. These centres will be set up in Pandoga in Una district and Parwanoo in Solan district. Each centre will cost approximately ₹10 crore.
3. Second Comprehensive Survey of River and Estuarine Dolphins Launched
India has launched the second range-wide dolphin survey under Project Dolphin, starting from Bijnor in Uttar Pradesh. This national-level survey aims to assess the population of dolphins in rivers and coastal areas, their habitat status, and the threats to their conservation. The survey will be conducted in two phases, and its findings will provide the basis for future conservation strategies.
4. Museveni Secures Seventh Term as President in Uganda
In the recently concluded presidential elections in Uganda, Yoweri Museveni has been declared the winner for a seventh consecutive term. According to the electoral commission, he secured 71.65 percent of the total votes, while the main opposition leader, Bobi Wine, received 24.72 percent. The elections were held nationwide, including in urban areas and opposition strongholds such as the capital, Kampala.
5. PESA Act Implemented in Jharkhand After 25 Years
Nearly 25 years after its formation, Jharkhand has finally implemented the rules under the Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996, or PESA. This is considered a significant step towards self-governance and the supremacy of Gram Sabhas (village assemblies) in the Fifth Schedule tribal areas.
6. Brazil and Nigeria Emerge as Key Export Destinations for Indian Pharmaceutical Companies
In the first eight months of the financial year 2025-26, India's pharmaceutical exports registered a remarkable growth of 6.5 percent, reaching US$20.48 billion. Emerging markets like Nigeria and Brazil have played a particularly significant role in this positive performance.
7. The High Seas Treaty Comes into Effect, a Historic Initiative to Protect Marine Life
On January 17, 2026, the world's first legally binding global agreement to protect marine life in international waters, the High Seas Treaty (BBNJ Treaty), came into effect. Ratified by more than 60 countries, the treaty applies to marine areas located outside any country's national jurisdiction.
8. Tripura, Manipur, and Meghalaya Foundation Day
The Foundation Day of Tripura, Manipur, and Meghalaya is celebrated every year on January 21st, as these three states attained full statehood on this day in 1972. This day signifies the political integration, federal structure, and development of regional identity in India's Northeast region.
QUIZ WITH EXPLANATIONS
1. For what work was Chandana Sinha awarded the Ati Vishisht Rail Seva Award?
A - Railway property security
B - Passenger facility improvement
C - Prevention of child trafficking and rescue of children
D - Rail accident management
The Indian Railways, under the Ministry of Railways, has honored RPF Inspector Chandana Sinha with the Ati Vishisht Rail Seva Award for her outstanding contribution to preventing child trafficking on railway stations and trains, and for the successful rescue of hundreds of children.
2. Where will the new MSME Technology Centers be established in Himachal Pradesh?
A - Shimla and Kullu
B - Mandi and Kangra
C - Pandoga and Parwanoo
D - Una and Chamba
The Ministry of MSME has approved the establishment of two new MSME Technology Centers in Pandoga (Una district) and Parwanoo (Solan district), each costing approximately ₹10 crore.
3. From which location has the second range-wide dolphin survey been launched?
A - Prayagraj
B - Varanasi
C - Bijnor
D - Patna
India has launched the second range-wide dolphin survey under Project Dolphin from Bijnor in Uttar Pradesh.
4. Who has been declared president for the seventh time in Uganda's recent presidential election?
A - Bobi Wine
B - Yoweri Museveni
C - Yuri Musafiri
D - John Magufuli
Yoweri Museveni secured 71.65 percent of the vote and was declared president for the seventh consecutive term.
5. The PESA Act primarily relates to which area?
A - Urban local bodies
B - Border areas
C - Fifth Schedule tribal areas
D - Hilly states
Jharkhand implemented the PESA Act, 1996 to strengthen self-governance in Fifth Schedule tribal areas.
6. What was India's pharmaceutical export value in the first eight months of the fiscal year 2025-26?
A - $18.40 billion
B - $19.75 billion
C - $20.48 billion
D - $22.10 billion
India's pharmaceutical exports reached US$20.48 billion with a growth of 6.5 percent.
7. By what other name is the High Seas Treaty known?
A - Ocean Charter
B - Marine Biodiversity Treaty
C - Paris Agreement for the Oceans
D - Blue Economy Agreement
The High Seas Treaty is also known as the BBNJ Treaty.
8. In which year did Tripura, Manipur, and Meghalaya attain full statehood?
A - 1969
B - 1970
C - 1971
D - 1972
These three states attained full statehood on January 21, 1972.
ONE LINER
By what percentage did Indian pharmaceutical exports increase in the first eight months of the financial year 2025-26? - 6.5 percent
Who is the leader who became president of Uganda for the seventh consecutive time? - Yoweri Museveni
What is the main objective of the High Seas Treaty, which came into effect on January 17, 2026? - Conservation of marine biodiversity in international waters
Which species, declared as India's national aquatic animal, is specifically emphasized for conservation under Project Dolphin? - Ganges River Dolphin
In which two locations in Himachal Pradesh will the new MSME Technology Centers be established? - Pandoga (Una) and Parwanoo (Solan)
Which RPF officer was awarded the Indian Railways' highest service honor, the Ati Vishisht Rail Seva Award? - Inspector Chandana Sinha
Under which act, related to tribal self-governance, have rules recently been implemented in Jharkhand? - Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996 (PESA)
From which location in India was the second range-wide dolphin survey launched? - Bijnor, Uttar Pradesh
How many new MSME technology centers has the MSME Ministry approved in Himachal Pradesh? - Two
For which social crime prevention was Chandana Sinha primarily given this honor? - Prevention of child trafficking in railways