State PCS - Karnataka (KPSC)

• 28 Jan 2026

WEF to Setup Fourth Industrial Revolution Centre in Andhra Pradesh

Why in News? 

The World Economic Forum (WEF) has announced the establishment of a new Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution (C4IR) in Andhra Pradesh. 

Key Points 

• Global Expansion: WEF will establish five new Centres for the Fourth Industrial Revolution in France, the United Kingdom, the United Arab Emirates, and India. 
• Indian Centre: The new centre will be set up in Andhra Pradesh. 
  • The Indian centre, referred to as a Centre for Energy and Cyber Resilience, will promote innovation‑led approaches to energy systems and cybersecurity strategies. 
• Focus Areas: The centres will focus on artificial intelligence (AI), frontier technologies, energy transition, and cyber resilience.  
• Partnership Model: Each hub will collaborate with governments, industries, and experts to develop scalable policy frameworks, pilot projects, and region‑specific solutions.  
• WEF 4IR Network: The new centres will expand the WEF 4IR Network, aligning emerging technologies with governance and societal needs. 
• Strategic Significance: Enhances regional capacity for technology governance, sustainable innovation, and workforce development in the digital and energy sectors.  

Read More: World Economic Forum (WEF), Fourth Industrial Revolution (C4IR), AI. 

Matabari Tourism Circuit Project in Tripura

Why in News? 

Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia laid the foundation stone of the ₹450 crore Matabari Tourism Circuit at Dumbur Lake in Tripura. 

Key Points 

• Objective: Matabari Tourism Circuit aims to develop an integrated spiritual–eco tourism corridor in Tripura linking major heritage and natural sites. 
• Cost: ₹450 crore project reflects large-scale central investment in Northeast tourism infrastructure. 
  • The Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) is providing ₹276 crore. 
• Key Locations Covered: Tripura Sundari Temple, Chabimura rock carvings and Dumbur Lake. 
  • Major facilities: Floating jetties, eco-friendly resorts, tourist amenities. 
• Additional Project: ₹750 crore worth projects announced covering multiple development sectors. 
  • Agarwood Initiative: ₹80 crore agarwood value-chain project to enhance farmers’ income and agro-forestry. 
  • Green Economy Push: Approval of 22 engineered bamboo projects under the Green Gold initiative. 
• Strategic Importance: Supports Act East Policy and vision of a Developed Northeast, positioning Tripura as a regional tourism hub. 

Read More:  North Eastern Region,  Act East Policy,  Agro-forestry 

Scotland Replaces Bangladesh in ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026

Why in News?

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has officially confirmed that Scotland will replace Bangladesh in the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka.

Key Points: 

• Dispute:The crisis originated from the BCB's refusal to send its national team to India, citing security and safety concerns. 
• Security Assessment: The ICC conducted independent security assessments from both internal and external experts, which concluded there was "no credible or verifiable security threat" to the Bangladesh contingent in India.  
• Replacement: After several rounds of dialogue and a 24-hour deadline for Bangladesh to confirm participation, no affirmative response was received, prompting the ICC to replace them.  
• Scotland’s Inclusion:Scotland, ranked 14th in T20 International rankings, was the highest-ranked team that originally missed qualification.  
  • The ICC has slotted Scotland into Group C, where they will compete alongside England, West Indies, Italy, and Nepal. 
• Significance:The decision ensures the 20-team structure of the tournament remains intact without logistical disruptions. 
  • It underscores the ICC’s emphasis on ensuring tournament integrity and adherence to published schedules. 

Read More: ICC 

Sarbananda Sonowal Inaugurates Vizhinjam Seaport Capacity Augmentation Works

Why in News? 

Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, inaugurated the capacity augmentation works of the Vizhinjam International Seaport at Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.

Key Points: 

• Vizhinjam International Seaport:Located near Thiruvananthapuram, Vizhinjam is India’s first deep-water transshipment port, strategically positioned close to international shipping routes.  
• Fast-Tracked Timeline: Originally scheduled for completion by 2045, the development of subsequent phases was advanced by nearly 17 years through a supplementary agreement signed in 2024. The entire project is now targeted for completion by December 2028. 
• Massive Investment: The expansion involves an additional investment of approximately ₹16,000 crore, bringing the total project cost to nearly ₹30,000 crore. 
• Infrastructure Scaling: 
  • Berth Extension: The existing container berth will be extended to a continuous 2-kilometre length, making it the longest in India. 
  • Throughput Capacity: Total operational capacity will increase five-fold, from 1 million TEUs to 5.7 million TEUs per annum. 
  • Handling Capabilities: The port will be equipped to handle up to five mother vessels simultaneously and next-generation container ships of up to 28,000 TEUs. 
• Operational Success: Phase I, which commenced commercial operations on December 3, 2024, already demonstrated over 130% capacity utilisation, handling more than 1.43 million TEUs in a few weeks.  
• Strategic Significance:The expansion aligns with Maritime Vision 2030 and Amrit Kaal Vision 2047 priorities to develop world-class maritime infrastructure. 
  • It aims to reduce India’s dependence on foreign transshipment hubs such as Colombo.

Read More: Maritime Vision 2030, Amrit Kaal Vision 2047 

CSIR-CRRI and JSW Steel Partner to Build Steel Slag Roads in Tamil Nadu

Why in News? 

In a landmark initiative to turn industrial waste into valuable infrastructure, the Central Road Research Institute (CSIR-CRRI) has partnered with JSW Steel Limited, Salem Works, to construct roads using steel slag (By-product of steel manufacturing) in Tamil Nadu.

Key Points:

• Objective: To convert industrial by-products (waste) from steel manufacturing into high-quality aggregates for road construction. 
  • This is expected to result in durable, eco-friendly roads while significantly reducing the environmental footprint.  
• Technological Focus: The project utilizes the patented Steel Slag Road technology, developed by CSIR-CRRI, which has previously been successfully implemented in states like Gujarat, Jharkhand, and Arunachal Pradesh. 
• Valorisation Process: The collaboration focuses on the techno-economic conversion of Electric Optimization Furnace (EOF) and Ladle Refining Furnace (LRF) steel slag into processed aggregates for bituminous roads. 
• Demonstration Project: As part of the agreement, a demonstration road stretch will be constructed near Salem to validate field performance and durability. 
• Institutional Leadership: The MoA was signed in the presence of Dr. N. Kalaiselvi, Director General of CSIR and Secretary, DSIR, along with senior leadership from both organisations. 
• Promotes Circular Economy: Utilises industrial waste as a construction resource, advancing India’s resource efficiency and sustainable development goals. 
  • Environmental Benefits: Helps reduce carbon footprint and dependence on natural aggregates, thereby conserving natural resources and mitigating environmental degradation. 
• Regional Impact: This marks the first use of steel slag road technology in Tamil Nadu, potentially setting a precedent for wider adoption across Indian states.

Read More: Circular Economy, CSIR 

President Droupadi Murmu Conferred Padma Awards on 131 Individuals in 2026

Why in News?

On the eve of India's 77th Republic Day (2026), the President approved a total of 131 Padma Awards, including 5 Padma Vibhushan, 13 Padma Bhushan, and 113 Padma Shri.

Key Points: 

• Padma Vibhushan 2026:The Padma Vibhushan is awarded for exceptional and distinguished service. The 2026 recipients include: 
  • Dharmendra Singh Deol (posthumous) – Iconic film actor 
  • Justice (Retd) K.T. Thomas – Public Affairs 
  • N. Rajam – Classical Musician 
  • P. Narayanan – Literature and Education 
  • V.S. Achuthanandhan (posthumous) – Public Affairs  
• Padma Bhushan:Thirteen individuals received the Padma Bhushan for distinguished service of a high order:  
  • Arts: Ms. Alka Yagnik, Shri Mammootty, Shri Shatavadhani R. Ganesh, and Shri Piyush Pandey (Posthumous). 
  • Public Affairs: Shri Shibu Soren (Posthumous), Shri Bhagat Singh Koshyari, Shri Vellappally Natesan, and Shri V.K. Malhotra (Posthumous). 
  • Industry: Shri Uday Kotak (Trade & Industry). 
  • Sports:Shri Vijay Amritraj (Sports). 
  • Medicine: Shri Kallipatti Ramasamy Palaniswamy and Dr. Nori Dattatreyudu.  
• Padma Shri: Out of 113 recipients, several prominent achievers and "unsung heroes" were honoured:  
  • Sports: Rohit Sharma (Cricket), Harmanpreet Kaur (Cricket), and Savita Punia (Hockey). 
  • Education & Science: Former UGC chief Mamidala Jagadesh Kumar and IIT Madras director V. Kamakoti. 
  • Unsung Heroes: Anke Gowda (who built a library with 2 million books) and Armida Fernandez (founder of Asia's first human milk bank). 
• Diversity: The 2026 Padma list features: 
  • 19 women awardees 
  • 16 posthumous honours 
  • 6 foreign/NRI/PIO/OCI recipients 
• Significance:The awards underscore India’s recognition of contributions from both eminent figures and grassroots “unsung heroes” who have made significant impacts in society, culture, science, sports, and public life.

Read More: Padma Awards