13th January 2026

1. Aralam is declared Kerala’s first butterfly sanctuary
2. Union Minister Chirag Paswan inaugurates Indusfood 2026 in Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh
3. Mumbai observes Tri-Services Veterans Day with a ceremonial parade at Marine Drive
4. Indian Army Major Swathi Shantha Kumar receives the UN Secretary-General’s Award
5. Indian Army conducts the MCF exercise Sanjha Shakti in Maharashtra
6. Somnath Swabhiman Parv
7. Overview of the third Indian Lighthouse Festival held in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh
8. India’s non-fossil fuel power capacity rises to 266.78 GW, marking a 22.6% increase over the previous year
9. Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia announces the launch of Speed Post 24 and Speed Post 48 services
10. GAIL and PNGRB roll out the #NonStopZindagi campaign under National PNG Drive 2.0

National News

1. 9th Indusfood 2026 strengthened India’s global food trade presence

• What:
  • The 9th edition of Indusfood 2026 was held at India Expo Centre & Mart and was organised by the Trade Promotion Council of India to strengthen India’s position in global food and beverage supply chains.
• Tell me more:
  • Indusfood 2026 was branded as Asia’s premier food and beverage sourcing exhibition.
  • The exhibition saw the launch of the India–UAE Food Corridor initiative by Abu Dhabi Food Hub and marked the 75-year milestone of Saudi exhibitor Alsalan.
  • The inaugural World Culinary Heritage Conference discussed heritage preservation and innovation.
  • The India International Centre for Culinary Leadership and IFCA conducted a five-day residential programme for 150 chefs offering Level 1 ‘Ambassador of Indian Cuisine’ certification, along with the ‘India on a Platter’ Gala Dinner at Taj Palace by the Ministry of Commerce & Industry.
  • APEDA’s ‘Bharati Initiative’ showcased Indian agri-food start-ups through pitch sessions.
  • A special ‘Bharat Mart’ session by DP World focused on export infrastructure and logistics integration.
  • Worldchefs President Chef Andy Cuthbert and Asia Continental Director Chef Willment Leong attended.

Source: PIB

2. Third Indian Lighthouse Festival inaugurated at Visakhapatnam

• What:
  • The third Indian Lighthouse Festival was inaugurated at MGM Park, Visakhapatnam, by former Vice President Venkaiah Naidu, with Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal attending the event.
  • The first edition was held at Fort Aguada, Goa, in September 2023, followed by Puri, Odisha, in October 2024.
• Tell me more:
  • The inaugural evening featured a Kuchipudi performance by Natya Sannidhaalaya, led by Guru Sannidha Rajasagi, along the illuminated Vizag coastline.
  • Performances included Kadirinrusimhudu on Lord Narasimha and a tribute marking 150 years of Vande Mataram.
  • Folk dances from eight North Eastern states were presented, including Pung Cholam, Galo, Cheraw, Sangrain, Wangala, Kabui, Marauni, and Bihu.
  • Out of 17 lighthouses in Andhra Pradesh, 10 have been developed for tourism promotion.

3. India records sharp rise in non-fossil energy capacity in 2025

• What:
  • India’s non-fossil fuel installed capacity rose to 266.78 gigawatts in 2025, marking a record year in clean energy expansion.
• Tell me more:
  • Total energy:

• Bioenergy capacity reached 11.61 gigawatts, including 0.55 gigawatts from waste-to-energy off-grid projects.
• Small hydro power capacity increased to 5.16 gigawatts, supporting decentralised renewable energy development.
• Large hydro power capacity stood at 50.91 gigawatts, including 7,175.6 megawatts of pumped storage.

2. Source: PIB
   4. India Post launches Speed Post 24 and Speed Post 48 services
   • What:
     • Union Minister for Communications Jyotiraditya Scindia announced two new India Post services, Speed Post 24 and Speed Post 48, ensuring delivery within 24 hours and 48 hours to strengthen fast and reliable postal delivery.
   • Tell me more:
     • Speed Post 24 and Speed Post 48 are designed to set new standards of punctual postal delivery.
     • On 29 December 2025, the Department of Telecommunications rolled out reforms through the National Centre for Communication Security to strengthen indigenous manufacturing and testing capabilities in the communications sector.

   Source: NOA

State News

1. Kerala Renames Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary as Aralam Butterfly Sanctuary

• What:
  • The Kerala government renamed Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary as Aralam Butterfly Sanctuary, making it the first butterfly sanctuary in the State.
• Tell me more:
  • The notification was issued under section 18(1) of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
  • The renaming aims to strengthen conservation focused on protecting, propagating, and sustaining butterfly species in their natural habitat.
  • The change amends the 1984 notification that declared the Aralam Farm area as a wildlife sanctuary.
  • Butterfly surveys over 25 years recorded 266 species in Aralam out of 327 species found in Kerala.
  • The area is a special habitat of the Schedule 1 Slender loris.

Source: TH

2. Somnath Swabhiman Parv marks a millennium of resilience

• What:
  • Somnath Swabhiman Parv held from 8–11 January 2026 marks 1,000 years since the first recorded attack on Somnath Temple in January 1026.
• Tell me more:
  • Somnath is located at Prabhas Patan near Veraval in Gujarat and is revered as the first among the twelve Aadi Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva.
  • The present Somnath Temple was reconstructed through public participation and consecrated on 11 May 1951 in the presence of President Rajendra Prasad, with the Parv aligning with 75 years since its reopening to devotees after Independence.

Source: PIB

Banking and Economy

1. GAIL joins National PNG Drive 2.0 to promote gas-based energy adoption

• What:
  • GAIL (India) Limited joined the nationwide #NonStopZindagi campaign under National PNG Drive 2.0, an initiative steered by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board to promote Piped Natural Gas and Compressed Natural Gas adoption across India.
• Tell me more:
  • National PNG Drive 2.0, scheduled from 1 January to 31 March 2026, supports the national vision to raise natural gas share to 15% by 2030 and aims to build awareness and demand for PNG, CNG, and the City Gas Distribution ecosystem.
  • PNGRB introduced a Unified Tariff framework based on the principle of “One Nation, One Grid, One Tariff”.
  • The framework provides an integrated national gas transmission network with standardised transportation charges, while digital outreach uses social media posts, GIFs, influencer campaigns, and platform-optimised videos.

Source: ANI

Defence News

1. MCF exercise ‘Sanjha Shakti’ conducted at Khadki Military Station

• What:
  • A Military Civil Fusion exercise named ‘Sanjha Shakti’ was conducted at Khadki Military Station.
• Tell me more:
  • The exercise was held at the Dighi Range under the Maharashtra, Gujarat and Goa Area of Southern Command.
  • Indian Army and 16 civil agencies participated, including Maharashtra Police, Force One commandos and fire fighting departments.
  • The exercise was conducted under the aegis of the Southern Command.

Source: IE

Awards

1. Major Swathi recognised for gender-inclusive peacekeeping at UNMISS

• What:
  • Major Swathi, serving with the United Nations Mission in South Sudan, enhanced gender parity through effective deployment of the Indian Engagement team.
• Tell me more:
  • The efforts were recognised through the Secretary General’s Award 2025 in the Gender Category.
  • The award was announced and conferred by Antonio Guterres.
  • Major Swathi is an officer of the Corps of Electronics and Mechanical Engineers.

Source: TH

Important Days

1. Mumbai hosted fifth Tri-Services Veterans Day Parade at Marine Drive

• What:
  • Mumbai hosted the fifth Tri-Services Veterans Day Parade at Marine Drive on January 11, 2026, ahead of Veterans Day on January 14, commemorating military veterans and highlighting the city’s unique city-level observance.
• Tell me more:
  • The Navy Foundation Mumbai Chapter conducted the parade with support from Headquarters Western Naval Command in Mumbai.
  • Tri-Services Veterans Day marks the retirement of K. M. Cariappa on January 14, 1953.
  • Field Marshal K. M. Cariappa was the first Indian Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army after Independence.

Source: PIB NOA

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