1) 🇮🇳National

• Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Expansion: Uttarakhand has officially implemented the Uniform Civil Code (Amendment) Ordinance, 2026, further strengthening the framework exactly one year after the original UCC rollout.
• Glacial Lake Mapping: Researchers from IIT Guwahati have successfully mapped 492 potential glacial lake sites in the Eastern Himalayas, providing a predictive framework to mitigate future flood risks.
• Operation Sindoor: India officially rejected Pakistan’s remarks regarding 'Operation Sindoor', labelling their claims as "false and self-serving."
• Conservation of Lonar Lake: Environmentalists raised alarms over rising freshwater inflows into Lonar Lake (Maharashtra), India’s only basaltic meteor impact crater, which threatens its unique alkaline ecosystem.
• Matabari Tourism Circuit: Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia laid the foundation stone for the ₹450 crore Matabari Tourism Circuit project in Tripura, aimed at boosting spiritual and eco-tourism.

2) 🌍International

• Data Privacy Day: Observed globally on January 28, this day highlights the importance of digital trust and personal data protection under the theme of "Privacy First."
• India-EU FTA: Negotiations for the "mother of all deals"—the India-European Union Free Trade Agreement—reached a final leg, with both sides set to announce a successful conclusion.
• WHO Withdrawal: The United States has formally concluded its exit from the World Health Organization (WHO), ending a 78-year membership.
• Nipah Virus Screening: Several Asian airports have reintroduced health checks following a reported Nipah virus outbreak in parts of India.

3) 💰Economy

• Halwa Ceremony 2026: The traditional "Halwa Ceremony" was held at North Block, New Delhi, marking the final stage of the Union Budget 2026-27 preparation process.
• National Income Surveys: The National Statistics Office (NSO) has initiated preparations for two landmark nationwide surveys to bridge data gaps in household and corporate incomes.
• SEBI Reforms: The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) announced sweeping reforms, including a reduction in fees paid by mutual funds to brokerages to benefit retail investors.
• Global Growth Forecast: The UN projected India’s economy to grow at 6.6% in 2026, despite global headwinds and shifting tariff policies.

4) 🗓️Date’s importance

• Data Privacy Day: Established by the Council of Europe in 2006 to raise awareness about data protection rights.
• Lala Lajpat Rai Jayanti: Today marks the birth anniversary of the legendary freedom fighter known as "Punjab Kesari" (born 28 Jan 1865).
• Space Shuttle Challenger Disaster (1986): On this day in 1986, the NASA Space Shuttle Challenger exploded 73 seconds after lift-off, killing all seven crew members.

5) 👱‍♂️👩‍🦳Person of the day

• Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla: The Indian astronaut made history by becoming the first Indian to visit the International Space Station (ISS) and was recently honoured with the Ashoka Chakra, India’s highest peacetime gallantry award.
• Lala Lajpat Rai: A key member of the 'Lal Bal Pal' trio, he was a visionary leader and the founder of the Punjab National Bank.

6) 🏅Sports

• U-19 World Cup 2026: India took on hosts Zimbabwe in their first 'Super 6' match today at the Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo.
• WPL 2026: Mumbai Indians' Sciver-Brunt scored the first-ever century in the Women’s Premier League 2026 to lead her team to victory over RCB.
• T20 World Cup Update: Scotland has officially replaced Bangladesh in the upcoming T20 World Cup lineup following security concerns cited by the latter.

7) 🏆Awards

• Wiley Research Heroes Prize: Public health expert Chandrakant Lahariya became the first Indian to receive this prestigious international award.
• Kirti Chakra Awardees: Major Arshdeep Singh and Naib Subedar Doleshwar Subba were among the prominent recipients of the Kirti Chakra for their exceptional bravery in counter-terror operations.
• Ashoka Chakra: Awarded to Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla for his historic mission to the ISS.

8) ⭐️Other important significance

• PESA State Rankings: Maharashtra bagged the 1st position in the implementation of the Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act (PESA), followed by Madhya Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh.
• Beating Retreat Ceremony: Preparations are finalised for the ceremony on January 29, marking the formal end of the Republic Day celebrations.

📚Word of the day

• Chimerical (Adjective)
• Meaning: Hoped for but illusory or impossible to achieve; highly unrealistic.
• Usage: "The idea of eliminating all global poverty within a single month is often dismissed as a chimerical ambition."