1) 🇮🇳National

• PAIMANA Portal Launched: The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) has operationalised the Project Assessment, Infrastructure Monitoring & Analytics for Nation-building (PAIMANA) portal to monitor Central Sector Infrastructure Projects in real-time.
• AI University Pilot: India has taken a pioneering step by launching its first AI-enabled university pilot to integrate artificial intelligence into the core higher education framework.
• Sunabeda Leopard Habitat: Following the declaration of Sunabeda Wildlife Sanctuary (Odisha) as Maoist-free, officials reported a significant rise in leopard presence, renewing conservation hopes for the region.
• Western Disturbance Alert: A fresh Western Disturbance has triggered a Yellow Alert in Delhi, bringing unsettled weather, fog, and thunderstorms to the national capital.

2) 🌍International

• USA Exits WHO: The United States has formally concluded its exit from the World Health Organization (WHO), ending a historic 78-year membership.
• Energy Cooperation Pact: India and Canada signed a Joint Statement on Energy Cooperation during the India Energy Week 2026 in Goa to strengthen bilateral energy security.
• Gaza Board of Peace: US President Donald Trump signed the founding charter for the "Board of Peace" initiative, aimed at overseeing a multi-nation ceasefire and reconstruction plan for Gaza.

3) 💰Economy

• 16th Finance Commission: The 16th Finance Commission has officially submitted its report for the period 2026–31 to President Droupadi Murmu, outlining the tax-sharing formula between the Centre and States.
• 100% FDI in Insurance: The Central Cabinet has approved 100% Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in Indian insurance companies, a major reform aimed at boosting capital inflow into the sector.
• Job Fair Success: The Ministry of Labour and Employment informed Parliament that over 2.22 crore people were provided jobs through 18,000 job fairs held across the country in the past year.

4) 🗓️Date’s importance

• International Zebra Day: Observed today to raise awareness about the conservation of these unique equines and their shrinking natural habitats.
• Me-Dam-Me-Phi: A significant ancestor-worship festival celebrated by the Ahom community in Assam on 31 January every year.
• 13th Amendment Anniversary: Marks the day in 1865 when the US Congress passed the amendment to abolish slavery.

5) 👱‍♂️👩‍🦳Person of the day

• Major Somnath Sharma: Born on this day in 1923, he was the first recipient of the Param Vir Chakra (posthumous) for his supreme sacrifice during the 1947 Indo-Pak War.
• Shastriji Maharaj: The 161st birth anniversary of the founder of BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha is observed today.

6) 🏅Sports

• India vs New Zealand: The 5th and final T20I of the series is taking place at the Greenfield International Stadium, Thiruvananthapuram, today.
• WPL 2026: In a thrilling Match 19, Gujarat Giants (GG) defeated Mumbai Indians (MI) by 11 runs in Vadodara.
• Shohei Ohtani: The global baseball icon continues to trend following the announcement of a major Netflix partnership for the 2026 World Baseball Classic.

7) 🏆Awards

• Gallantry Awards 2026: President Murmu approved 333 awards, including two Kirti Chakras (Major Arshdeep Singh and Naib Subedar Doleshwar Subba) and 10 Shaurya Chakras for exceptional bravery.
• Padma Awards 2026: The list of 131 recipients features 45 "unsung heroes," including Anke Gowda (Karnataka) for his work in environmental conservation.

8) ⭐️Other important significance

• PATHIK Software: The Ahmedabad Crime Branch became the first to integrate Aadhaar offline verification into its PATHIK software for enhanced criminal tracking.
• Kyasanur Forest Disease (KFD): A health alert has been issued in Karnataka following reported fatalities due to Monkey Fever (KFD).

📚Word of the day

• Affectation (Noun)
• Meaning: Behaviour, speech, or writing that is artificial and designed to impress.
• Usage: "The politician's sudden interest in rural sports was seen as a mere affectation to win local votes."