TODAY NEWS HIGHLIGHT
➤ What is the Assam Chief Minister Eti Koli Duti Pat Scheme?
➤ Former Indian hockey team coach Michael Nobbs passes away
➤ Why Uttarakhand received the Best State Award for Aviation Promotion
➤ What is Pragya-AIX and how will it transform ONGC's operations?
➤ Where and why India launched its first AI-powered university
➤ Why is India meeting the foreign ministers of Arab countries after 10 years?
➤ What is the reason behind the rapid decline in NPAs and increase in bank profits in India?
➤ Indian Coast Guard Day
1. What is the Assam Chief Minister's Eti Koli Duti Pat Scheme
The Assam government has launched the Chief Minister's Eti Koli Duti Pat Scheme for the welfare of tea garden workers, aiming to recognize their historical contribution and strengthen their social security. The scheme was launched by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma in Doomdooma, Tinsukia district, and described as a significant initiative honoring the tea tribes and indigenous communities.
2. Former Indian Hockey Team Coach Michael Nobbs Passes Away
Former Australian hockey player and former head coach of the Indian men's hockey team, Michael Nobbs, passed away at the age of 72 after a prolonged illness, sending shockwaves through the global hockey community. He was known as an international player and a respected coach who made significant contributions to the development of hockey through his experience and strategic approach.
3. Why did Uttarakhand receive the Best State Award for Aviation Promotion?
On January 30, 2026, Uttarakhand was awarded the "Best State for Promotion of Aviation Ecosystem" award at Wings India 2026, a testament to the state's effective aviation policies, infrastructure development, and improved regional air connectivity. Wings India is India's premier civil aviation conference and exhibition, bringing together policymakers, airlines, investors, and global stakeholders and recognizing genuine progress and innovation in the aviation sector.
4. What is Pragya-AIX and how will it transform ONGC's operations?
ONGC, India's leading energy exploration company, has launched a centralized digital platform called ‘Pragya-AIX,’ which aims to enhance efficiency, safety, and production in oil and gas operations by integrating artificial intelligence-based tools. The platform integrates ONGC's various AI applications into a single ecosystem, making data-driven decision-making faster, more accurate, and more effective.
5. Where and Why Has India Launched Its First AI-Powered University?
For the first time in India, a university is piloting AI-powered teaching, learning, and administrative systems, with the aim of developing a national model that can be implemented in other higher education institutions in the future. This initiative, led by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, is being launched in collaboration with Google Cloud, and Chaudhary Charan Singh University (CCSU), which has been selected as the pilot campus.
6. Why is India meeting with Arab Foreign Ministers after 10 years?
The second India-Arab Foreign Ministers' Meeting, scheduled to be held in New Delhi on January 31, 2026, is taking place after a gap of nearly ten years and reflects the deepening political, economic, and cultural ties between India and Arab countries. This meeting is a high-level dialogue mechanism between India and the Arab League, aimed at promoting political dialogue, strategic coordination, and multi-sectoral cooperation.
7. What are the reasons for the rapid decline in NPAs and the increase in bank profits in India?
According to the Economic Survey 2025-26, India's banking system appears to be in its strongest position in several decades, evidenced by lower NPAs, improved recoveries, robust capital, and increasing financial inclusion. The gross and net NPA ratios of scheduled commercial banks have reached historically low levels.
8. Indian Coast Guard Day
Indian Coast Guard Day is celebrated every year on February 1st to honor the crucial role of the Indian Coast Guard in protecting the country's maritime borders, coastal surveillance, and search and rescue operations. The Indian Coast Guard was established on February 1, 1977, and was granted the status of an armed force under the Coast Guard Act, 1978.
QUIZ – WITH EXPLANATION (EXACT)
1. The Chief Minister Eti Koli Duti Pat Yojana has been launched by which state?
A - West Bengal
B - Assam
C - Tripura
D - Odisha
The Assam government has launched the Chief Minister Eti Koli Duti Pat Yojana for the welfare of tea garden workers, aiming to honor their contributions and strengthen social security. Launched by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma in Doomdooma, Tinsukia district, the scheme will provide a one-time assistance of ₹5,000 to over 6 lakh workers, with an outlay of over ₹300 crore.
2. Michael Nobbs was a former hockey player from which country?
A - England
B - Australia
C - New Zealand
D - Canada
Former Australian hockey player and former head coach of the Indian men's hockey team, Michael Nobbs, has passed away at the age of 72. He played 76 international matches for Australia between 1979 and 1985 and was part of the 1981 Hockey World Cup and the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics. In 2011, he took over as the head coach of the Indian team and played a crucial role in helping the team qualify for the 2012 London Olympics.
3. Which state received the “Best State for Promoting Aviation Ecosystem” award at Wings India 2026?
A - Himachal Pradesh
B - Uttarakhand
C - Sikkim
D - Arunachal Pradesh
On January 30, 2026, Uttarakhand received the “Best State for Promoting Aviation Ecosystem” award at Wings India 2026, recognizing the state's robust aviation policy, infrastructure development, and improved regional air connectivity. The expansion of airports, heliports, and helicopter services has facilitated access to remote mountainous regions.
4. Which company launched the ‘Pragya-AIX’ digital platform?
A - IOCL
B - ONGC
C - GAIL
D - NTPC
ONGC, India's leading energy company, has launched ‘Pragya-AIX’, an AI-powered centralized digital platform aimed at enhancing efficiency, safety, and production in oil and gas operations. This platform integrates various AI tools to make data-driven decision-making faster and more accurate.
5. Which campus has been selected as the pilot campus for the AI-powered university initiative?
A - University of Delhi
B - Banaras Hindu University
C - Chaudhary Charan Singh University
D - Aligarh Muslim University
For the first time in India, a pilot test of AI-powered teaching, learning, and administrative systems is being launched at Chaudhary Charan Singh University (CCSU). This initiative, launched in collaboration with the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Google Cloud, and CCSU, aims to modernize the education system and prepare students for the future workforce.
6. Where is the second India-Arab Foreign Ministers' Meeting being held in 2026?
A - Dubai
B - New Delhi
C - Bahrain
D - Doha
The second India-Arab Foreign Ministers' Meeting will be held in New Delhi on January 31, 2026, taking place after nearly a decade and reflecting the strengthening political, economic, and cultural ties between India and the Arab countries. This is a high-level dialogue platform between India and the Arab League, aimed at promoting multilateral cooperation and strategic coordination.
7. Approximately how many cases under the IBC resulted in the recovery of ₹3.99 lakh crore?
A - 500
B - 900
C - 1,300
D - 2,000
According to the Economic Survey 2025-26, India's banking system is in a historically strong position due to robust capital, low NPAs, and improved recovery. By September 2025, banks had a CRAR of 17.2%, and there was a significant increase in NPA recovery rates.
8. Under which act did the Indian Coast Guard receive the status of an armed force?
A - Navy Act, 1957
B - Coast Guard Act, 1978
C - Maritime Security Act, 1982
D - Armed Forces Act, 1965
Indian Coast Guard Day is celebrated every year on February 1st, honoring the Indian Coast Guard's contribution to securing the country's maritime borders and conducting search and rescue operations. It was established on February 1, 1977, and granted the status of an armed force under the Coast Guard Act, 1978.
ONE LINER (EXACT)
Which university was selected for India's first AI-powered university pilot project? – Chaudhary Charan Singh University (CCSU)
Where is the second India-Arab Foreign Ministers' Meeting 2026 being held? – New Delhi
Which country is co-chairing the second India-Arab Foreign Ministers' Meeting with India? – United Arab Emirates (UAE)
According to the Economic Survey 2025-26, what was the CRAR of banks as of September 2025? – 17.20%
How much one-time assistance will be provided to tea garden workers under the Chief Minister Eti Koli Duti Pat Yojana? – ₹5,000
Which company launched the ‘Pragya-AIX’ AI-based digital platform? – ONGC
Former Indian men's hockey team head coach Michael Nobbs was a player from which country? – Australia
Which state received the award for “Best State for Promoting Aviation Ecosystem” at Wings India 2026? – Uttarakhand
The Chief Minister Eti Koli Duti Pat Yojana was launched by which state? – Assam
When is Indian Coast Guard Day celebrated every year? – February 1