GK Update
 
  • Mobile Menu
HOME BUY MAGAZINEnew course icon
SSC Foundation Batch new course icon Mission UP Police new course icon Bank Foundation Batchnew course icon SSC-GS-SPECIAL RO/ARO Recorded Batch new course icon GS NCERT new course icon CTET ONLINE ALL COURSES
SSC CGL-Tier-I SSC CGL-Tier-II SSC-CGL-2023 TIER-2 new course icon UP Lekhpal All TEST SERIES
AIR NEWS CURRENT AFFAIRS CURRENT AFFAIRS MCQs GK UPDATES INFOGRAPHICS JOB ALERT PDF RESOURCES QUIZ VIDEOS
LOG IN SIGN UP
✕

Sign-Up IcanDon't Have an Account?


SIGN UP

 

Login Icon

Have an Account?


LOG IN
 
Facebook Login Ican
Facebook
Google Login Ican
Google
or
By clicking on Register, you are agreeing to our Terms & Conditions.
 
 
Follow Us On Facebook
Facebook
Google Login Ican
Google
 
or
 
 




GK Update

Fri 09 Jan, 2026

National News

 

Launch of District-Based Textile Transformation Initiative

  • The Ministry of Textiles has launched a District-Based Textile Transformation Initiative, with the primary objective of developing each district of India as an independent textile export hub.

Related Facts:

  • This initiative advances the vision of ‘One District, One Product’ (ODOP) by enhancing the income of local weavers and artisans, and supporting the achievement of the USD 100 billion textile export target by 2030.
  • Vision 2030: The initiative is part of the government’s broader goal to expand India’s textile industry to USD 350 billion by 2030 and achieve USD 100 billion in textile exports.

 

Digital portal called ‘Petal’ launched

  • The Ministry of Women and Child Development launched a digital portal called 'Pankhudi' to streamline and transparent the welfare schemes of women and children.

Related facts:

  • The portal aims to consolidate contributions and collaborations of NGOs, companies, CSR contributors, non-resident Indians, government agencies and individuals working in areas such as nutrition, health, early childhood care and education, child welfare, rehabilitation, women safety and empowerment.
  • The petal supports the ministry’s key missions, including Mission Enabled Anganwadi and Nutrition 2.0, Mission Vatsal and Mission Shakti.

 

Mascot 'Uday' Launch

  • The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) launched the official mascot of Aadhaar ‘Uday’ (Uday).
  • This mascot (musket) has been selected through a national design and naming competition held on the MyGov platform.

 

Launch of the National IED Data Management System (NIDMS)

  • Union Home and Cooperatives Minister Amit Shah launched the National IED Data Management System (NIDMS).
  • He described the system as an important step towards strengthening the anti-IED and internal security system.

Related facts:

  • Objective: Its main goal is to produce a centralized database of IED (Improvised Explosive Device) incidents occurring across the country, in order to understand and prevent the patterns of terrorist activities and explosive attacks.
  • Operation: This system will function under the ‘National Bomb Data Center’ (NBDC) of the National Security Guard (NSG)

 

Launch of port infrastructure and digital governance projects: Tamil Nadu

  • The Union government launched port infrastructure and digital governance projects worth Rs 235 crore in Tamil Nadu.

Related facts:

  • These projects aim to strengthen the maritime capacity of the state and advance India's ocean-based development strategy.
  • Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbanand Sonowal launched these projects while addressing the “Developed India, Developed Ports” program in Chennai.
  • Of the total outlay, Rs 129 crore 36 lakh has been allocated for projects of Chennai Port Authority and Rs 105 crore 64 lakh for initiatives of Kamarajar Pattan Limited

 

AYUSH is significantly recognized globally

  • India’s traditional system of medicine AYUSH (AYUSH – Ayurveda, Yoga, Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, Sova Rigpa and Homeopathy) has received significant global recognition.

Related facts:

  • OMAN: India and Oman have signed a bilateral agreement in the health sector to enhance cooperation to regulate and validate the AYUSH system and drugs in Oman.
  • New Zealand: New Zealand has also shown interest in integrating Ayush practices into its health systems through educational and research collaboration with India, giving the system official recognition there
  • Exports of Ayush and herbal products registered 6.11 percent growth, increasing from US$649.2 million in 2023-24 to $688.89 million in 2024-25

 

Launch of "Sing, Dance and Lead: Leadership Lessons from the Life of Srila Prabhupada"

  • Vice President CP Radhakrishnan released the book “Sing, Dance and Lead: Leadership Lessons from the Life of Shrila Prabhupada” written by author Hindol Sengupta.
  • This book offers leadership insights from the life and teachings of AC Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, founder of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON).

 

State News

 

Avian influenza confirmed: Kerala

  • Avian influenza (H5N1) has been confirmed in Ambalappuzha North, Ambalappuzha South, Karuwatta and Pallipad panchayats in Kerala's Alappuzha district.

Avian influenza (H5N1) :

  • Avian influenza, commonly referred to as ‘bird flu’
  • is a highly contagious viral disease that primarily affects birds. H5N1 is considered its most dangerous strain (type).

 

Inauguration of Electric Vehicle (EV) Production Plant

  • Defense Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated a state-of-the-art electric vehicle (EV) production plant in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh on January 9, 2026.

 

Economy and Banking News

 

Proposal to limit PAT to 75%

  • The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) issued draft guidelines, proposing to limit banks’ dividend payments to 75% of net profit (PAT).
  • The move was taken to strengthen the capital adequacy of banks and ensure financial stability.

Related facts:

  • According to the draft, scheduled commercial banks will have to distribute only a maximum of 75% of annual profits as dividends, including interim dividends.
  • This threshold has been kept at 80% for Regional Rural Banks (RRBs) and Local Regional Banks. Bank boards of directors must conduct capital planning and risk assessment before dividends.
  • Comments from stakeholders on the draft have been invited until Feb. 5, and the new rules will take effect from fiscal year 2026-27.

 

International News

 

The US withdrew its membership from international organizations

  • US President Donald Trump signed a memorandum withdrawing from 66 international organizations and treaties, including 31 UN bodies, citing his national interests.

 

Report & Index

 

'World Economic Situation and Prospects Report 2026'

  • The United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA) has released the ‘World Economic Situation and Prospects (World Economic Situation and Prospects 2026) Report 2026’, which focuses on forecasts for the global economy.

According to the report:

  • India’s GDP growth is projected to remain at 6.6% and 6.7% in 2027
  • The growth rate of the global economy is forecast to decline to 2.7% in 2026, marginally lower than 2025’s 2.8%

 

Important day

 

Overseas Indian Day

  • Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas is celebrated every year on 9th January to commemorate Mahatma Gandhi's return to India from South Africa in 1915.

Mahatma Gandhi's visit to South Africa:

  • Purpose: Gandhiji, who was a young barrister (lawyer) of 23 years at the time, had gone to Durban (South Africa) to assist an Indian businessman, Seth Abdullah, in his legal case.
  • Duration: They originally went for only one year, but stayed there for about 21 years (from 1893 to 1914) due to their experiences of racial discrimination
  • Pietermaritzburg Incident: On 7 June 1893, he was forced out of a first-class train compartment at Pietermaritzburg station during his journey from Durban to Pretoria
  • Indian Opinion: He started this newspaper in 1904 to raise the problems of the Indian community.
  • Phoenix Farm: He established a community living place near Durban in 1904, where he practiced simple living and community works.
  • Tolstoy Farm (Tolstoy Farm): Established in 1910 near Johannesburg, this farm served as a self-sustaining community for satyagrahis

 

Today News

More Links

Download Galaxy App

Latest Courses

Download Galaxy App