🏛️ Polity & Governance

🔷 28th Commonwealth Speakers' Conference begins in New Delhi

India is hosting the 28th Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of the Commonwealth (CSPOC) from January 15 to 16, 2026.
The event was inaugurated by PM Narendra Modi at the historic Central Hall of Samvidhan Sadan.
Key Discussions: Using Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Parliaments and managing the impact of Social Media on democracy.
The conference is chaired by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, with representatives from over 60 countries.

💰 Economy & Banking

🔷 Wholesale Inflation (WPI) rises to 0.83% in December

The Ministry of Commerce and Industry released the Wholesale Price Index (WPI) data for December 2025.
Inflation increased to 0.83%, primarily due to rising costs in manufacturing, minerals, and textiles.
In contrast, the Retail Inflation (CPI) for the same period stood at 1.33%, showing a slight upward trend.
Fuel and Power prices continued to stay in the "deflation" zone, meaning prices were lower than last year.

🔬 Science & Technology

🔷 Tamil Nadu to establish India's First Sovereign AI Park

The Tamil Nadu government has partnered with Sarvam AI to build the country’s first Sovereign AI Park in Chennai.
The project involves an investment of ₹10,000 crore.
It will feature high-performance computing labs and dedicated research zones for training Indian AI models.
This move aims to make India a global leader in secure and indigenous AI technology.

🪖 Defence & Security

🔷 78th Army Day celebrated with first Public Parade in Jaipur

India celebrated the 78th Army Day on January 15, 2026.
New Location: For the first time, the main parade moved outside military areas to a public road (Mahal Road, Jaipur).
Theme 2026: "Year of Networking and Data Centricity", focusing on high-tech warfare.
Major Highlight: The debut of the Bhairav Battalion, a new "lean and mean" force for rapid offensive operations.
Equipment: Flypasts by AH-64E Apache and LCH Prachand helicopters were the main attractions.

🌐 International Relations & Agreements

🔷 India launches Logo and Theme for BRICS Presidency 2026

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar unveiled the identity for India’s upcoming leadership of BRICS.
Theme: "Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability."
Logo Design: Features a "Namaste" gesture inside a Lotus shape, with petals representing the vibrant colors of member nations.
Significance: 2026 marks 20 years since the founding of the BRICS group.

📢 PIB / Government Reports & Schemes

🔷 Maharashtra tops NITI Aayog’s Export Preparedness Index 2024

NITI Aayog released the 4th edition of the Export Preparedness Index (EPI) 2024.
Top Performers: Maharashtra secured the 1st rank among large states, followed by Tamil Nadu.
Himalayan States: Uttarakhand topped this category.
Objective: The index ranks states based on their export policy, business ecosystem, and export performance.

🔷 National Campaign for "Lakhpati Didis" launched

The Ministry of Rural Development launched a campaign to support 50 lakh women Self-Help Group (SHG) members.
It aims to train them to become "Lakhpati Didis" (earning at least ₹1 lakh annually) through non-farm businesses.
The program will train 50,000 Community Resource Persons to guide these women entrepreneurs.

🏅 Sports

🔷 Jallikattu Season begins in Madurai

The traditional bull-taming sport Jallikattu kicked off at Avaniyapuram, Madurai on January 15.
Winner Balakumar tamed 22 bulls to win the top prize (a car).
The events will continue at Palamedu (Jan 16) and Alanganallur (Jan 17).

📌 January 16, 2026 General Knowledge

National Startup Day: Celebrated today to mark the anniversary of the Startup India initiative launched in 2016. This year marks its 10th anniversary.
India’s First COVID-19 Vaccination Drive: On this day in 2021, India launched the world’s largest vaccination program against the coronavirus.
Birth Anniversary of Kabir (Regional): Some traditions celebrate the birth of the 15th-century mystic poet and saint Kabir Das around this time.
Establishment of religious tolerance: In 1605, the Mughal Emperor Akbar is noted for having promoted the philosophy of Sulh-i-kul (universal peace) around his final years.