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TODAY NEWS HIGHLIGHT
➤ Saina Nehwal retires from badminton
➤ HDFC Bank approves appointment of Kaizad Bharucha as whole-time director
➤ Guardian India appoints Karunakaran Azhisur as country head
➤ Numbeo Safety Index 2026: Mangaluru tops India, Qingdao ranks first globally
➤ Andhra Pradesh to get new spaceport for private launches on Hope Island
➤ Steel slag technology proposed for durable roads in hilly areas
➤ Central Government approves equity support of Rs 5000 crore to SIDBI
➤ International Day of Education
1. Saina Nehwal Retires from Badminton
Bringing an end to a glorious chapter in Indian badminton, legendary player Saina Nehwal has officially announced her retirement from competitive sports. For the past two years, she had been battling serious knee problems, particularly cartilage degeneration and arthritis, which made it impossible for her to continue high-level training.
2. HDFC Bank Approves Appointment of Kaizad Bharucha as Whole-Time Director
The Reserve Bank of India's approval of Kaizad Bharucha's reappointment as Deputy Managing Director of HDFC Bank is a significant step towards leadership stability in the Indian banking sector. The RBI gave its approval on January 20, 2026, with his new three-year term effective from April 19, 2026.
3. Guardian India Appoints Karunakaran Azhisur as Country Head
Guardian India's appointment of Karunakaran Azhisur as its new Country Head reflects the strength of India's growing Global Capability Center (GCC) ecosystem. According to the announcement, dated January 21, 2026, Azhisur will serve in the dual roles of Country Head and Chief Information Officer, exemplifying the strategic integration of technological innovation and business leadership.
4. Numbeo Safety Index 2026: Mangaluru Tops India, Qingdao Ranks First Globally
The recent Numbeo Safety Index 2026 report provides a detailed overview of the safety perception of cities globally, analyzing a total of 304 cities. The index's most significant feature is that it is based on global user experiences and their safety perceptions rather than government data.
5. Andhra Pradesh to Get New Spaceport on Hope Island for Private Launches
The announcement of a new spaceport on Hope Island by Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu is a revolutionary step towards promoting private participation in India's space sector. Located near the Kakinada coast, this center will be primarily dedicated to commercial launches by private companies and startups, helping to meet the growing global demand for small and medium-capacity satellites.
6. Steel Slag Technology Proposed for Sustainable Roads in Hilly Regions
The emphasis by the Union Minister of Science and Technology on adopting steel slag-based technology for road construction in the Himalayan states is a revolutionary step towards India's 'waste to wealth' mission. Steel slag is an industrial byproduct generated during the steel manufacturing process. The calcium and magnesium oxides present in it provide greater strength compared to traditional aggregates.
7. Central Government Approves ₹5000 Crore Equity Support for SIDBI
The approval of a ₹5,000 crore equity investment in SIDBI (Small Industries Development Bank of India) by the Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is a decisive step towards strengthening the financial position of the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) sector.
8. International Day of Education
Celebrated every year on January 24th, the International Day of Education is a significant occasion to highlight the indispensable role of education in achieving global peace and sustainable development. The theme for this year's day is "The Power of Youth in Co-creating Education," which recognizes young people not merely as recipients of knowledge, but as active shapers of education policies and curricula.
QUIZ WITH EXPLANATIONS
1. In which year's Olympic Games did Saina Nehwal win India's first medal (bronze) in badminton?
A - Beijing 2008
B - London 2012
C - Rio 2016
D - Tokyo 2020
Indian badminton pioneer Saina Nehwal has announced her retirement from competitive badminton due to serious knee problems (cartilage degeneration and arthritis). Saina, who made history by winning a bronze medal at the 2012 London Olympics, elevated the popularity of badminton in India to a new level.
2. Kaizad Bharucha has been re-appointed as the Deputy Managing Director (Whole-Time Director) of which bank?
A - ICICI Bank
B - State Bank of India
C - HDFC Bank
D - Axis Bank
The Reserve Bank of India has approved the re-appointment of Kaizad Bharucha as the Deputy Managing Director of HDFC Bank for a three-year term, effective from April 2026. This decision reflects the RBI's powers under the Banking Regulation Act, 1949, to ensure the quality of top leadership and corporate governance in private banks based on 'fit and proper' criteria.
3. What position has Karunakaran Azisur been appointed to by Guardian India?
A - Chief Executive Officer (CEO) only
B - Country Head and Chief Information Officer (CIO)
C - Chief Financial Officer (CFO) only
D - Principal Scientific Advisor
Guardian India has appointed Karunakaran Azisur as its new Country Head and Chief Information Officer, underscoring the growing importance of India's Global Capability Center (GCC) ecosystem.
4. According to the Numbeo Safety Index 2026, which is the safest city in the world?
A - Abu Dhabi (UAE)
B - Qingdao (China)
C - Doha (Qatar)
D - Taipei (Taiwan)
According to the latest Numbeo Safety Index 2026 report, Qingdao in China has emerged as the safest city in the world, while cities in the Gulf countries continue to dominate the global rankings. This index is based on citizens' perceptions of safety and their experiences, rather than government data, with Mangaluru in India earning the distinction of being the safest city in the country.
5. What will the proposed new spaceport in Andhra Pradesh be primarily dedicated to?
A - Exclusively for launching heavy satellites
B - For commercial missions of private companies and startups
C - Exclusively for foreign defense satellites
D - For meteorological research
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has announced a new spaceport on Hope Island, which will be primarily dedicated to commercial launches by private companies and startups. This center will complement Sriharikota and help meet the growing global demand for small satellites.
6. What is the primary use of the recently developed 'ECOFIX' technology?
A - Laying new railway tracks
B - Tunneling through mountains
C - Rapid repair of potholes in waterlogged conditions
D - Painting bridges
The Union Minister of Science and Technology has recommended steel slag-based road construction technology for the Himalayan states, providing a sustainable solution for industrial waste under the 'Waste to Wealth' mission.
7. How much equity investment in SIDBI has the Union Cabinet approved?
A - ₹2,000 crore
B - ₹3,000 crore
C - ₹5,000 crore
D - ₹10,000 crore
The central government has approved a phased equity investment of ₹5,000 crore in SIDBI, aimed at increasing credit flow to the MSME sector and strengthening the bank's capital adequacy.
8. On which date is International Day of Education celebrated annually?
A - November 11
B - January 24
C - September 5
D - December 10
International Day of Education, celebrated annually on January 24, is dedicated to the importance of education for peace and sustainable development. The theme for 2026 is "The Power of Youth in Co-creating Education," emphasizing the active participation of young people in policy-making.
ONE LINER
What is the theme for the International Day of Education 2026 (January 24)? – The power of youth in co-creating education
Which city topped the global ranking of the Numbeo Safety Index 2026 as the safest city in the world? – Qingdao (China)
To provide financial strength to the MSME sector, the Union Cabinet has approved an equity investment of how much amount in SIDBI? – ₹5,000 crore
Who has been appointed as the new 'Country Head' of Guardian India, who will also continue to serve in the role of Chief Information Officer (CIO)? – Karunakaran Azhisur
According to the Numbeo Safety Index 2026, which city has emerged as the safest city in India? – Mangaluru (Karnataka)
The Andhra Pradesh government has announced the establishment of a new spaceport for private and commercial missions on which island? – Hope Island
The RBI has approved the reappointment of whom as the Deputy Managing Director of HDFC Bank? – Kaizad Bharucha
Which industrial waste technology has been proposed for the construction of sustainable roads in the Himalayan states? – Steel slag technology
Badminton player Saina Nehwal recently announced her retirement from competitive sports due to which physical problem? – Due to serious knee problems (cartilage degeneration and arthritis)
Under which banking act does the RBI have the power to regulate the appointments of top management in private banks? – Banking Regulation Act, 1949