24th-26th January 2026

1. National Girl Child Day observed to promote rights, education, and empowerment of girls
2. International Day of Education marked to highlight inclusive and equitable learning
3. National Geographic Day observed to celebrate geography and exploration
4. National Tourism Day observed to promote sustainable tourism
5. National Voters’ Day celebrated to encourage electoral participation
6. International Customs Day observed with its history and significance
7. India launches its first integrated private satellite manufacturing unit at Sanand, Gujarat
8. Graca Machel of Mozambique honoured with the Indira Gandhi Peace Prize
9. Republic Day parade highlights 150 years of “Vande Mataram” through rare artworks
10. President approves Ashok Chakra award for Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla
11. Padma Awards announced to honour exceptional civilian service

National News

1. India’s first private integrated satellite manufacturing plant

• What:
  • The foundation stone for India’s first integrated private satellite manufacturing plant was laid at Khoraj in Sanand, Gujarat, strengthening private sector participation in satellite and space technology manufacturing.
• Tell me more:
  • The Electro-Optical Payload Factory of Azista Space is named the Palmnaro plant.
  • The groundbreaking ceremony was held in the presence of Gujarat’s Science and Technology Minister, Arjun Modhwadia.
  • The facility is planned as a high-technology hub supporting aerospace manufacturing and skilled technical employment.

2. Republic Day 2026

• Edition – 77th
• Chief Guests – President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen and President of the European Council Antonio Luís Santos da Costa
• Theme – ‘Swatantrata ka Mantra: Vande Mataram’ and ‘Samriddhi ka Mantra: Aatmanirbhar Bharat’
• Special Occasion – 150 years of ‘Vande Mataram’
  • The song was written by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee in his novel Anandamath, published in 1882). It was first sung by Rabindranath Tagore at the 1896 Congress session in Calcutta and was set to music by him.
• Highlights
  • Many “Firsts”
    • Indian Army showcased a phased Battle Array Format, for the first time, at Kartavya Path. In the Battle Array (or Ranbhoomi Vyuh Rachna), they show specialised army teams — one for commando-style ground action and another for drone-based operations — to demonstrate how modern Indian Army units operate in different parts of a real battlefield.
    • Newly raised Bhairav Light Commando Battalion participated in the Republic Day Parade for the first time.
    • Shaktiban Regiment, a new artillery drone warfare unit, made its debut in the Republic Day Parade.
    • Military assets were displayed publicly for the first time in a phased battle array formation, showing real combat sequence.
  • Approximately 2,500 artists performed a grand musical and dance fusion under the theme “Vande Mataram – The Eternal Resonance of Bharat”
  • A European Union military contingent carrying flags of EU operations Atalanta and Aspides participated in the parade, marking the European Union’s first military appearance at such an event outside Europe.
  • The Ministry of Tourism’s Bharat Parv is a six-day festival held from January 26 to 31 at the Red Fort, showing India’s food, crafts, culture, and Republic Day tableaux.
• Awards
  • Tableaux – 17 tableaux of States/UTs & 13 of Ministries/ Departments/Military Services
  • An online poll on the MyGov platform will allow people to vote for their favourite tableaux and marching contingents, with winners receiving the “Popular Choice” Award trophies. The winners of the best tableaux will be announced in a few days.
  • Gallantry Awards – total 70 (including six posthumous awards)

• President’s Medal for Personnel of Police, Fire, Home Guard & Civil Defence and Correctional Services:

• Jeevan Raksha Padak Awards 2025

• Padma Awards
  • For the year 2026, the President has approved conferment of 131 Padma Awards including 2 duo cases (in a duo case, the Award is counted as one).
  • Among the awardees, 19 are women and 16 honours are being conferred posthumously.

Source: TOI TOI ET IT ET EU EU PIB ET GOV PIB PIB NOA PIB PIB MHA

Awards

1. Graca Machel receives Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development 2025

• What:
  • Mozambican rights activist and humanitarian Graca Machel was awarded the Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development for 2025.
• Why:
  • The award recognises her lifelong work in education, health, nutrition, humanitarian service, and human rights, highlighting India’s continued global recognition of peace and development efforts.
• Tell me more:
  • The award announcement was made by the Indira Gandhi Memorial Trust.
  • The international jury was chaired by former National Security Advisor Shivshankar Menon.
  • She received the United Nations Nansen Refugee Award and honorary Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1997.

Source: HT

Important Days

1. National Girl Child Day – January 24

• What:
  • National Girl Child Day, observed annually on January 24 since 2008, highlights girls’ rights and welfare, showing progress in school infrastructure, enrolment, safety, and empowerment through government schemes and legal measures.
• Tell me more:
  • As per the Unified District Information System for Education (UDISE) report, girls’ Gross Enrolment Ratio at secondary level reached 80.2% in 2024–25, while 97.5% of schools nationwide have girls’ toilet facilities.

2. International Day of Education – January 24

• Theme: The power of youth in co-creating education

Source: UN

3. National Geographic Day – January 27

• It is an annual celebration honoring the National Geographic Society, which was officially incorporated on this day in 1888.

Source: NGS THI

4. National Tourism Day – January 25

• National Tourism Day is observed annually on January 25 since 1982 to recognise tourism as a key contributor to economic development and cultural preservation.

Source: MoC

5. National Voters’ Day 2026 – January 25

• What:
  • National Voters’ Day is observed on January 25 to honour voters, promote youth participation, and strengthen democratic values, marking the foundation of the Election Commission of India in 1950 and highlighting citizen-centric electoral reforms.
• Tell me more:
  • National Voters’ Day 2026 theme is My India, My Vote with the tagline Citizen at the Heart of Indian Democracy.
  • The Election Commission of India was established on January 25, 1950 under Article 324 of the Constitution.
  • National Voters’ Day has been celebrated annually since 2011 on the Election Commission’s Foundation Day.
  • National Electoral Awards 2026 recognise Best Election Districts for voter awareness, technology use, training, logistics, media outreach, and Model Code of Conduct enforcement.
  • Systematic Voters’ Education and Electoral Participation, started in 2009, educates voters and spreads awareness across the country.
  • In 2026, India hosted the India International Conference on Democracy and Election Management in New Delhi; adopted the Delhi Declaration with five focus areas on elections and assumed the Chairship of International IDEA under the Chief Election Commissioner.
    • 5 pillars are Purity of Electoral Rolls, Conduct of Elections, Research and Publications, Use of Technology, Training and Capacity Building
    • IDEA – International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance

6. International Customs Day – January 26

• Theme: Customs protecting society through vigilance and commitment
• WCO Secretary General – Ian Saunders

Source: WCO

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