• 27 Jan 2026

Odisha Imposes Complete Ban on Gutka and Tobacco

Why in News? 

The Odisha government has imposed a complete statewide ban on gutkha and all food products containing tobacco or nicotine, covering their manufacture, storage, sale, transport and distribution. 

Key Points 

• Issuing Authority: Odisha Government through Food Safety and Health Department. 
• Legal Basis: The ban is enforced under Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. 
  • Implemented by Food Safety Officials, Police and Tobacco Control Authorities. 
• Exempted Products: Cigarettes and bidis excluded, as they are not classified as food products under the FSS Act. 
• Earlier Ban Reference: Odisha first banned gutka in 2013. 
• Public Health Objective: To reduce oral cancer, tobacco addiction and smokeless tobacco consumption, especially among youth and vulnerable groups. 
• Penalty Provisions: Violations include seizure of products, fines and cancellation of licences under applicable laws. 
• Significance: The move marks a comprehensive state-level action against smokeless tobacco, reinforcing preventive healthcare policy beyond central tobacco regulation frameworks. 

Read More:  Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 

Operation Megaburu in Saranda Forests, Jharkhand

Why in News? 

The Jharkhand Police has launched Operation Megaburu in the Saranda forests of West Singhbhum district, Jharkhand. 

Key Points 

• Operation: Operation Megaburu is the joint counter-insurgency effort centred in the dense Saranda in Jharkhand. 
  • Operation initiated by Jharkhand Police, assisted by CRPF & CoBRA units. 
  • Maoist Leader Targeted: Patiram Manjhi aka Anal Da, bounty of Rs 2.35 crore. 
• Strategic importance of Saranda: Saranda forest was long considered one of the last major strongholds of Maoists in Jharkhand, making this operation strategically critical.  
• Nature: Anti-Maoist counter-insurgency operation. 
• Aim: Elimination of CPI (Maoist) armed cadres from Saranda forest region. 
  • To neutralise top Maoist leadership and break insurgent networks. 
• Significance: The operation was a major blow to Maoist “Red Terror” and a turning point for internal security in Jharkhand.  
  • Such operations will enable delivery of developmental projects in Maoist‑dominated areas.

Read More: Saranda forests 

Bihar DISCOMs Secure ‘A’ Grade in 14th National Power Sector Ranking

Why in News? 

Bihar’s North Bihar Power Distribution Company Limited (NBPDCL) and South Bihar Power Distribution Company Limited (SBPDCL) have been awarded ‘A’ grade in the 14th Integrated Rating and Ranking of Power Distribution Utilities. 

Key Points 

• Agencies: Power Finance Corporation (PFC) under the Ministry of Power conducted the 14th Integrated Rating and Ranking of DISCOMs. 
• Number of Utilities Assessed: The ranking covered 65 power distribution utilities across India. 
  • Parameters: Ratings are based on operational efficiency, governance, financial discipline, supply quality and customer service. 
• Improvement Noted: Both DISCOMs showed better performance compared to previous cycles. 
• Significance:  
  • Enhanced billing, collection, and energy distribution. 
  • Ensures reliable electricity supply and improved service standards. 
  • It can attract greater financial and technological investment. 
• Policy Alignment: Achievement aligns with GoI’s Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS) and national power sector reforms to improve DISCOM efficiency and service delivery. 

Read More: DISCOMs and RDSS 

49th International Kolkata Book Fair 2026

Why in News? 

The 49th International Kolkata Book Fair (IKBF) has commenced in Kolkata with Argentina named as the theme nation. 

Key Points 

• Inaugurated by: The fair was inaugurated by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, with the Argentine Ambassador to India, Mariano Agustín Caucino. 
• Theme Nation: Argentina designated as theme country for the 2026 edition. 
  • Argentina’s literature and culture showcased through dedicated pavilions and events. 
• Venue: Boimela Prangan, Salt Lake, Kolkata.  
• Organizer: West Bengal Government in partnership with literary and cultural bodies. 
• Literary Focus: Promotes authors, publishers, translations, panel discussions, book launches, and workshops. 
• International Participation: Several countries, including Germany, UK, France, Australia, Peru and Nepal, are participating.  
  • China is returning after 15 years. 
  • Ukraine is participating for the first time in recent editions. 
• Focus: Promotion of literature, reading culture, cultural exchange, and international literary diplomacy 

India’s First Private Satellite Manufacturing Facility in Gujarat

Why in News? 

India has marked a historic milestone in space manufacturing with the foundation of the country’s first private satellite and electro-optical payload manufacturing plant at Sanand, Gujarat. 

Key Points 

• Facility Name: Palmnaro Electro-Optical Payload Facility, India’s first integrated private satellite and payload manufacturing plant by Azista Space Systems. 
  • Location: The manufacturing facility is located at Khoraj Industrial Estate, Sanand, Gujarat. 
• MoUs: The project involves MoUs worth over ₹500 crore with the Government of Gujarat, reflecting strong public-private partnership. 
• Strategic Sector Entry: Marks the private sector’s entry into advanced satellite manufacturing, a domain earlier led by ISRO and PSUs. 
• Global Competitiveness: The facility will enable India to compete in the global commercial satellite market, including Earth observation and defence applications. 
  • The facility will produce advanced payloads also useful for civil sectors (like agriculture, environment, disaster management).  
• Objective: The plant aims to indigenise electro-optical payloads, reduce import dependence, and strengthen domestic space supply chains. 
  • Boosts private sector participation in space manufacturing and supports Atmanirbhar Bharat vision.  

Read More:  ISRO, Atmanirbhar Bharat 

ICAR and BISA Launch ACASA-India and Review 15 Years of NICRA

Why in News?

The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and the Borlaug Institute for South Asia (BISA) jointly organized a high-level review workshop for the National Innovations in Climate Resilient Agriculture (NICRA) and the formal launch of the Atlas of Climate Adaptation in Indian Agriculture (ACASA–India).

Key Points: 

• Launch of ACASA–India (Digital Climate Atlas): A web-enabled digital platform designed to provide location-specific, data-driven adaptation planning. 
  • Developer: Developed by the ICAR-led National Agricultural Research and Extension System (NARES) in collaboration with BISA–CIMMYT. 
  • Functionality: It maps climate risks and identifies adaptation options for 15 crops and six livestock species at high resolution. 
• 15-Year Review of NICRA:Launched in 2011, NICRA is India’s flagship program to enhance agricultural resilience to climate change through technology demonstration and research. 
  • Implementation: Currently active in over 200 locations across 151 climate-vulnerable districts. 
• Achievements: So far, 11 climate-resilient crop varieties have been developed, and carbon footprints of various crops have been assessed to support future carbon credit systems. 
• Strategic Shift: Officials noted that NICRA has reached a "critical juncture" and requires a roadmap aligned with Viksit Bharat 2047, shifting from individual farms to broader landscape-level interventions. 
• Significance:The workshop underscores the importance of science-led responses to climate challenges in agriculture, promotes resilience building, and aligns with India’s food security and sustainability goals.  
  • It also highlights the role of digital tools in strengthening farmer adaptation strategies in a changing climate. 

Read More: Indian Council of Agricultural Research,National Innovations in Climate Resilient Agriculture 

NHA Organizes Federated Intelligence Hackathon for Healthcare at IIT Kanpur

Why in News? 

The National Health Authority (NHA), in collaboration with IIT Kanpur and the ICMR–National Institute for Research in Digital Health and Data Science (NIRDHDS), successfully concluded the Federated Intelligence Hackathon.

Key Points: 

• Aim of Event: The event was held as a pre-event to the India AI Impact Summit 2026 and aimed to accelerate the development of Digital Public Goods (DPGs) for Health Artificial Intelligence that are secure, scalable, privacy-preserving, and citizen-centric.  
• Focus:Promote federated AI models that enable privacy-preserving learning without centralising sensitive health data. 
• Objectives:Support development of benchmark-ready, reliable AI solutions tested on diverse, population-scale datasets to ensure trust, accuracy, and inclusion in health services. 
• Focus Areas (Healthcare Tracks):Participants competed across three critical diagnostic tracks:  
  • Bone Age Prediction: Using wrist X-rays for pediatric growth and endocrine assessment. 
  • Cataract Detection: Identifying cataracts from mobile phone images to improve rural screening. 
  • Diabetic Retinopathy: Detecting early signs of vision loss from fundus images.  
• Awards:Hackathon winners in different health AI categories received certificates and cash prizes totaling ₹12 lakh. 
• Benchmarking Platform: A key outcome was the development of a new benchmarking platform by IIT Kanpur and NHA to evaluate the efficacy of AI models while ensuring institutional control and data privacy. 
• Policy Alignment: Align AI innovations with India’s digital health architecture through Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Aarogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) and the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM). 

Read More: Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission,India AI Impact Summit 2026 

India Energy Week 2026 to Bring Global Energy Leadership Together in Goa

Why in News?

The 4th edition of India Energy Week (IEW) 2026, scheduled from 27–30 January 2026, will bring together global energy leaders, policymakers, industry stakeholders and investors in Goa to deliberate on energy security, sustainability and investment opportunities.

Key Points:

• Largest Energy Platform: Organised under the patronage of the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, the event is expected to emerge as one of the world’s largest energy platforms. 
• Theme: "Energizing Growth, Securing Economies, and Enriching Lives." 
• Primary Objectives: The platform focuses on three critical pillars: Energy Security, Catalysing Investment, and Practical Decarbonisation Pathways. 
• Unique Position: Unlike many global forums, IEW 2026 deliberates on the entire energy spectrum, including fossil fuels, biofuels, hydrogen, and nuclear energy. 
• Exhibition:The exhibition features 11 zones, with new additions focusing on Nuclear Energy and Sustainable Aviation Fuel.  
• Innovation Zones:Initiatives like Avinya 2026 and the Hackathon Challenge 2026 encourage startup participation and innovation, while a Make in India pavilion promotes indigenization. 
• Significance:Encourages foreign direct investment and technology deployment in energy sectors. 
  • Supports India’s broader goals of energy security, clean energy transition and economic growth.

Humanoid Robot ‘ASC ARJUN’ Deployed at Visakhapatnam Railway Station

Why in News? 

Indian Railways has deployed a humanoid robot named ‘ASC ARJUN’ at Visakhapatnam Railway Station, Andhra Pradesh. 

Key Points 

• First-of-Its-Kind Initiative: This marks the first deployment of a humanoid robot on the Indian Railways network as part of innovation-led passenger service enhancement. 
• Indigenous Technology: ASC ARJUN has been developed by Railway Protection Force (RPF), Visakhapatnam, using indigenous technology. 
• Role and Function: Assists RPF personnel in station operations, especially during peak passenger hours. 
  • Security and Surveillance Features: It is equipped with a Face Recognition System (FRS) for intrusion detection, AI-based crowd monitoring, and connects in real time to RPF control rooms.  
  • Passenger Assistance: The robot can make automated public announcements in English, Hindi and Telugu. 
• Autonomous Patrols: ASC ARJUN has semi-autonomous navigation with obstacle avoidance capabilities. 
  • Enabling 24×7 platform patrolling and optimized manpower use. 
  • Emergency Response Systems: It includes fire and smoke detection systems to aid timely response in case of emergencies. 
• Interactive Design: The robot interacts with passengers using friendly gestures, such as “Namaste,” and provides real-time information and assistance.  
• Significance: It signifies Indian Railways’ focus on technology adoption for safer, secure, and more passenger-friendly stations.  

Read More: Face Recognition System (FRS), AI, 

Subhash Chandra Bose Aapda Prabandhan Puraskar 2026

Why in News?

The Government of India has selected the Sikkim State Disaster Management Authority (SSDMA) in the Institutional Category and Lt Col. Seeta Ashok Shelke in the Individual Category for the Subhash Chandra Bose Aapda Prabandhan Puraskar 2026.

Key Points:

• Subhash Chandra Bose Aapda Prabandhan Puraskar: To honor Indian nationals and institutions that have demonstrated exceptional courage and dedication in disaster management (Prevention, Mitigation, Preparation, Rescue, and Rehabilitation). 
• Announcement: Every year on January 23 (Parakram Diwas). 
• Prize Money: 
  • Institutional: A certificate and ₹51 Lakh (the money must be used by the institution for disaster management activities). 
  • Individual: A certificate and ₹5 Lakh. 
• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). 
• Institutional Category: Sikkim State Disaster Management Authority (SSDMA) has been recognized for its pioneering work in the Himalayan ecosystem, focusing on community-centered disaster resilience. 
• Key Achievement (Aapda Mitra): The authority has successfully trained and deployed 1,185 Aapda Mitras (community volunteers) across all Gram Panchayats.  
  • These volunteers act as first responders during landslides and floods, common in the high-altitude terrain. 
• Operational Success: The SSDMA was instrumental in managing the 2023 Teesta Flash Floods and the 2016 Mantam Landslide, using real-time coordination to rescue over 2,500 people and minimize loss of life in difficult geographical conditions. 
• Individual Category: Lieutenant Colonel Seeta Ashok Shelke gained national acclaim for her leadership during the 2024 Wayanad (Kerala) Landslides.  
  • Under her command, the Army's engineering wing constructed a 190-foot-long Bailey Bridge at Chooralmala in record time under heavy rain and unstable terrain. 
• Significance:The dual recognition at the national level highlights the importance of institutional preparedness and individual heroism in effective disaster management. 

Read More: Parakram Diwas, Subhash Chandra Bose