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GK Update

Fri 16 Jan, 2026

National News

Export of AYUSH and Herbal Products in 2024–25

  • According to the Ministry of Health, India’s exports of AYUSH and herbal products have exceeded USD 68.80 crore during the financial year 2024–25.

Related Facts:

  • Export Value: In 2024–25, the total export of AYUSH and herbal products reached USD 68.889 crore (approximately USD 689 million).
  • Growth Rate: This represents a 6.11% increase compared to USD 64.92 crore in the previous financial year (2023–24).
  • Key Institution:The AYUSH Export Promotion Council (AYUSHEXCIL) has played a significant role in this export growth. The council recently celebrated its fourth foundation anniversary.
  • Trade Agreements: India’s traditional systems of medicine have received formal recognition under bilateral trade agreements with Oman (CEPA) and New Zealand (FTA), enhancing access to international markets.
  • Quality Mark: The ‘AYUSH Quality Mark’, launched by the Prime Minister, is helping to ensure the credibility and quality of these products at the global level.

 

Chief Guests at the 77th Republic Day Celebrations

  • The President of the European Council, António Luís Santos da Costa, and the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, will be the Chief Guests at India’s 77th Republic Day celebrations.

Related Facts:

 

  • State Visit: At the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, both leaders will be on a state visit to India from 25 to 27 January 2026.
  • India–EU Summit: During their visit, they will co-chair the 16th India–European Union Summit on 27 January.
  • Historical Significance: This is the first time that the holders of these two top European Union positions have been jointly invited as Chief Guests for India’s Republic Day, reflecting the strengthening strategic and economic ties between India and the EU, including FTA negotiations.
  • Parade Theme: The theme of the 2026 Republic Day Parade is “150 Years of Vande Mataram.”

 

International news

Deputy Prime Minister of Poland on a Visit to India

  • Poland’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Radosław Sikorski, is on a three-day visit to India.
  • Mr. Sikorski will participate in the Jaipur Literature Festival being held in Jaipur, Rajasthan.
  • He will also meet India’s External Affairs Minister, Dr. S. Jaishankar, in New Delhi.

About Poland:

  • Capital: Warsaw
  • Official Language: Polish
  • Currency: Polish Złoty (PLN)
  • Coastline: Bordered by the Baltic Sea to the north
  • Neighbouring Countries: Germany, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Ukraine, Belarus, Lithuania, and Russia (Kaliningrad region)
  • Cuisine: Pierogi (a type of dumpling) is the most famous traditional dish of Poland

 

Signing of a Joint Declaration of Intent

  • India and Germany have signed a Joint Declaration of Intent (JDI) on telecommunications cooperation.
  • According to the Ministry of Communications, both sides have agreed to regularly exchange information and to enhance cooperation in emerging and future technologies.

About Germany:

 

  • Capital: Berlin
  • Currency: Euro (EUR)
  • Neighbouring Countries:
  • Denmark to the north; Poland and the Czech Republic to the east; Austria and Switzerland to the south; France, Luxembourg, Belgium, and the Netherlands to the west
  • Natural Landscape: Plains and the Baltic Sea/North Sea coasts in the north, and the Alps mountain range in the south
  • Major Rivers: Rhine, Danube, and Elbe, which are considered the lifelines of the country
  • Nickname:Germany is often referred to as the “Powerhouse of Europe.”

 

Economy and Banking

India’s Merchandise Exports in December 2025

  • In December 2025, India’s merchandise exports increased by 1.87% year-on-year to USD 38.51 billion, compared to USD 37.80 billion in December 2024.

Related Facts:

 

  • Trade Deficit: Merchandise imports in December 2025 rose by 8.8% to USD 63.55 billion, resulting in a trade deficit of USD 25.04 billion.
  • Key Export Drivers: The growth in exports was mainly driven by electronic goods (7.8% growth), engineering goods, pharmaceuticals, marine products, and cereals.
  • Cumulative Performance (April–December 2025):
  • During the first nine months of the current financial year, total merchandise exports reached USD 330.29 billion, registering a 2.44% growth.
  • Overall Export Target: According to Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal, India’s total exports of goods and services are expected to exceed USD 850 billion in the 2025–26 financial year.
  • Global Context: Despite global economic uncertainties and tariffs imposed by the United States on certain products, India’s export sector has shown strong resilience.

 

BPCL and IOCL Achieve Significant Success

  • Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) and Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL), through their joint venture Bharat-URR Energy Free Zone, have achieved a significant success in Abu Dhabi.

Relevant Facts:

 

  • Location of Discovery: The oil reserves were discovered in Onshore Block 1 of Abu Dhabi. This block covers an area of ​​6,162 square kilometers.
  • Concession: In 2019, Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) awarded the exploration rights for this block to a consortium of Indian companies (with a 50-50% stake held by IOCL and BPCL).
  • Type of Reserves: Two separate oil-bearing zones have been identified during the exploration. According to initial estimates, this discovery is commercially viable and significant for India's energy security.
  • Significance: This is the first time that Indian public sector companies have discovered oil in an exploration block in Abu Dhabi. This discovery reflects the deepening strategic energy ties between India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

 

RBI Issues Guidelines

  • The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has recently issued guidelines to strengthen the customer grievance redressal mechanism for banks and eligible NBFCs.
  • Under these guidelines, it has been made mandatory to automatically transfer unresolved or partially resolved complaints to the Internal Ombudsman (IO).

About the Reserve Bank of India (RBI):

 

  • Establishment: Established on 1 April 1935 under the RBI Act, 1934
  • Nationalisation: 1949
  • First Governor: Sir Osborne Smith (1935–1937)
  • First Indian Governor:
  • C. D. Deshmukh (1943–1949)
  • Headquarters: Mumbai, Maharashtra

 

Availability of Fertilizers

  • The central government has ensured a record level of fertilizer availability to meet the agricultural needs of farmers in a timely manner during the year 2024-25.
  • The Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers stated that against the estimated national requirement of approximately 152.5 crore bags of fertilizers, the government has ensured the availability of approximately 176.79 crore bags.

Books and authors

 

Release of Two Important Books

  • Minister of State for Science and Technology, Dr. Jitendra Singh, released two new books in New Delhi.

Related Facts:

 

  • Gen V Bano: This book aims to inspire India’s “Generation V” (Viksit Bharat Generation) to actively contribute to nation-building.
  • Mahatma: This book focuses on the ideals of Mahatma Gandhi and their relevance in modern India.
  • Occasion: The books were released during the NAMO Pustak Mahotsav, which seeks to promote a reading culture and connect Indian literature with the youth.
  • Special Feature: The NAMO Pustak Mahotsav is the first-of-its-kind event in the country.

 

Honors and Awards

26th National Youth Parliament Competition

  • In the 26th National Youth Parliament Competition, PM SHRI School Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya, Suratgarh (Rajasthan) secured the first position.

Related Facts:

 

  • Organizer: The competition is organized by the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs, Government of India.
  • Objective:To strengthen the roots of democracy among youth, develop discipline, foster tolerance towards others’ viewpoints, and familiarize students with the functioning of Parliament.
  • Achievement: After successfully clearing several regional and national-level stages, JNV Suratgarh outperformed schools from across the country and won the prestigious Nehru Running Shield along with the winner’s trophy.
  • Award Ceremony:The winning team was honoured at a special ceremony held in New Delhi.
  • Youth Parliament Programme:The Youth Parliament programme was launched in 1966 to educate the country’s future generation about legislative procedures and parliamentary etiquette.

 

 

Indian Banks' Association

  • Karnataka Bank has performed brilliantly at the 21st Annual Banking Technology Awards organized by the Indian Banks' Association (IBA) in January 2026.
  • Karnataka Bank has been declared the winner in the 'Best Fintech & DPI Adoption' category.
  • Best Tech Talent: Runner-up.
  • Special Mention: The bank received special commendation in the 'Best Technology Bank', 'Best Digital Financial Inclusion', and 'Best Digital Sales' categories.
  • Basis: This award was given for the bank's effective use of Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) and its efforts to improve banking services through fintech solutions.
  • Management: Mr. Raghavendra S. Bhat, Managing Director and CEO of Karnataka Bank, stated that these awards are a testament to the bank's commitment to technological innovation.
  • Note: At the same ceremony, Bank of Baroda, a public sector bank, was chosen as the winner in four categories, including 'Best AI & ML Adoption' and 'Best IT Risk Management'.

 

Important Days

 

'National Startup Day'

  • National Startup Day is celebrated annually on January 16th to commemorate the Startup India initiative, which was launched in 2016.

Related Facts:

  • Historical Background: Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the 'Startup India' initiative on January 16, 2016. On its 6th anniversary, in 2022, January 16th was officially declared as National Startup Day.
  • Objective: To promote the country's startup ecosystem, encourage innovation, and foster a spirit of entrepreneurship among the youth.
  • Nodal Agency: The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry manages this initiative.
  • 2026 Context: The Startup India initiative completed 10 years in 2026. India currently has the world's third-largest startup ecosystem.
  • National Startup Awards: Awards are presented annually on this day to honor exceptional startups and their solutions.

 

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