4.5/5
Current Affairs 28th January 2026
Titles of Indian Cities
-
Gateway of India – Mumbai
-
Manchester of India – Ahmedabad
-
City of Lakes – Srinagar
-
Heart of India – Madhya Pradesh
-
Land of Temples – Tamil Nadu
-
Orange Capital of India – Nagpur
1. Ashwini Kumar Tewari took Charge as SBI MD
-
Extended Tenure for Stability: The Government of India reappointed him for a second term that will last until December 31, 2027, or until his superannuation. This move is designed to ensure leadership continuity within India's largest public sector bank.
-
Strategic Portfolio: In his current capacity, he oversees Corporate Banking and Subsidiaries. This includes handling the bank's large corporate credit business as well as non-bank arms like SBI Card, Mutual Funds, and Life/General Insurance.
-
Veteran Background: A career banker who joined SBI in 1991 as a Probationary Officer, he previously served as the MD & CEO of SBI Cards and was the Country Head for SBI's US Operations. He is credited with driving significant technology refreshes and digital partnerships (like GPay and Paytm) during his career.
Footnotes: SBI's Chairman: C. Sreenivasulu Setty, HQ: Mumbai, Estd: 1955
2. Sikkim Police Conferred with President’s Police Colour Award 2026
-
Elite Milestone: Sikkim has become the 15th state in India and only the 3rd in the Northeast (following Assam and Manipur) to receive this rare distinction, commonly known as the "Nishaan."
-
Recognition of Excellence: The award honors the force’s sustained excellence in maintaining one of India's most peaceful law-and-order environments, its effective disaster response (specifically during the 2023 Glacial Lake Outburst Flood), and its role in securing strategically sensitive international borders.
-
Symbolic Uniform Change: All 6,500 personnel of the Sikkim Police are now entitled to wear a special emblem (insignia) on the left sleeve of their uniform. A ceremonial flag, measuring 3'9" by 3' with golden fringes, will be formally presented during a special "Alankaran Parade" later this year.
Footnotes: Sikkim's CM: Prem Singh Tamang, Governor: Om Prakash Mathur, Capital: Gangtok
3. MP Governor Mangubhai Patel Declares 2026 as ‘Year of Agriculture’
-
Financial Commitment & "Samriddh Kisan" Vision: Under the tagline "Prosperous Farmer – Prosperous State," the Governor highlighted a massive jump in the state's agriculture budget—from ₹600 crore in 2002-03 to over ₹27,000 crore in 2024-25—to drive the state toward becoming a global agricultural hub.
-
10-Point Development Model: The initiative is built on a multifaceted model focusing on 10 core activities, including technology transfer (drones and hydroponics), natural farming, digital transparency in markets, and expanding e-Mandi systems across 259 markets to benefit over 40 lakh registered farmers.
-
"Milk Capital" & Irrigation Push: A primary goal is to make MP the "Milk Capital of India" by increasing its share in national milk production from 9% to 20% through the Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Kamdhenu Scheme. Additionally, three major river-linking projects (including Ken-Betwa) aim to irrigate 1.6 million hectares across 25 districts.
Footnotes: MP's Governor: Mangubhai C. Patel, CM: Mohan Yadav, Capital: Bhopal
4. Military Quantum Mission Policy Framework released
-
Civil-Military Fusion: The framework breaks the "lab-only" cycle by creating dedicated governing bodies that include experts from the government, academia, and private deep-tech startups. This is designed to fast-track the transition of quantum tools from research to active battlefield deployment.
-
Tri-Service Jointness: For the first time, a unified policy ensures that the Army, Navy, and Air Force adopt standardized quantum protocols from the start. This "jointness" is critical for the operational success of India's upcoming Integrated Theatre Commands.
-
Alignment with National Goals: The MQM is strategically aligned with the ₹6,003 crore National Quantum Mission (NQM). It ensures that the Armed Forces are not just passive users but active stakeholders in India's broader push for Atmanirbharta (self-reliance) in critical emerging technologies.
5. Rohit Sharma named brand ambassador for 2026 Men’s T20 WC
-
Historic "Active Player" Milestone: Rohit is the first active cricketer to be appointed as an official ICC ambassador for a major tournament. While he retired from T20 Internationals after leading India to the 2024 title, he remains active in Test and ODI formats.
-
Legacy as a Two-Time Winner: His selection honors his unique career trajectory; he is one of the very few players to have won the T20 World Cup twice—first as a youngster in the inaugural 2007 edition and then as captain in 2024.
-
Key Promotional Role: As the face of the tournament, he is leading major campaigns (like JioStar's "History Repeat Karenge, History Defeat Karenge"), leveraging his massive global influence to drive fan engagement for the event scheduled from February 7 to March 8, 2026.
6. GMDC appoints Shri Sandeep Kumar IAS as Director
-
Strategic Transition: Shri Sandeep Kumar, a 2002-batch IAS officer of the Gujarat cadre, replaces Ms. Arti Kanwar, IAS on the GMDC Board. This change follows his recent appointment as the Secretary (Economic Affairs) within the Finance Department of the Government of Gujarat.
-
Vast Administrative Expertise: With over 20 years of experience, Shri Kumar brings deep expertise across critical sectors including Agriculture, Home, and Power. His background in energy and power distribution is particularly valuable for GMDC, which operates in both the mining and power sectors.
-
Corporate Governance Alignment: The appointment was made through a circular resolution by the Board of Directors and is subject to shareholder approval. His dual role—managing the state's economic affairs while serving on the GMDC Board—is intended to align the corporation's strategic goals with the broader economic objectives of the Gujarat government.
Footnotes: GMDC's MD: Roopwant Singh, HQ: Vastrapur, Estd: 1963
7. Dharmendra Singh Deol awarded Padma Vibhushan 2026
-
Posthumous Recognition: The award was conferred posthumously, following the passing of the "He-Man" of Indian cinema on November 24, 2025. This recognition serves as a final tribute to his massive influence on Indian culture and his career spanning over six decades.
-
Versatile Cinematic Legacy: Dharmendra was honored in the field of Art (Cinema) for his extraordinary range across more than 300 films. The citation highlights his rare ability to excel in diverse genres—from the iconic action of Sholay and the sensitivity of Bandini to the comic brilliance of ChupkeChupke and his modern-day resurgence in Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani.
-
Top-Tier Honor: This is an elevation of his previous honors; he was already a recipient of the Padma Bhushan in 2012. For 2026, he is one of only five recipients of the Padma Vibhushan, joining other distinguished figures like former Supreme Court judge K.T. Thomas and classical violinist N. Rajam.
8. Veteran Journalist & Padma Awardee Mark Tully passed away
-
The "Voice of India": Tully served as the BBC’s New Delhi bureau chief for over 20 years (1972–1993). His calm and authoritative voice became the most trusted source of news for millions across the subcontinent, particularly during times of crisis when state-run media was censored, such as the 1971 Bangladesh War and the 1975 Emergency (during which he was briefly expelled).
-
Witness to History: He provided definitive coverage of India’s most turbulent modern chapters, including the Bhopal Gas Tragedy, Operation Blue Star, the assassinations of Indira and Rajiv Gandhi, and the Babri Masjid demolition. His deep empathy and "ear to the ground" approach earned him respect from both common citizens and top political leaders.
-
Highly Decorated Author: A prolific writer, he authored influential books like No Full Stops in India and Amritsar: Mrs Gandhi's Last Battle. For his immense contributions to journalism and Indo-British relations, he was knighted in the UK (2002) and received two of India's highest civilian honors: the Padma Shri (1992) and the Padma Bhushan (2005).
WHAT HAPPENED TODAY?
International Data Privacy Day: 28thJanuary
-
Focus: On the theme "Take Control of Your Data" by actively managing digital rights and permissions.
-
Organizations: Shift to "Privacy by Design" to embed data protection into the core of AI and new technologies.
0 like |
0 comment
