Penguin Awareness Day is observed on January 20th to raise awareness about the decline in penguin populations.

• Many penguin species face significant population declines, such as the little penguin near Perth, Australia, which has decreased by 94% since 2007.
• Climate change, particularly rising temperatures and reduced sea ice, impacts penguin breeding and feeding.

Kokborok Day is observed on January 19th in Tripura to celebrate the official recognition of the Kokborok language in 1979.

• Kokborok, also called Tripuri, is the indigenous language of Tripura, spoken by the Tripuri people.
• The day is marked by cultural programs and literary activities that highlight the heritage of the Tripuri community.
• Kokborok has been taught in schools across Tripura since the 1980s, with higher education institutions offering related courses.

India successfully docked two satellites in space, becoming the fourth country to achieve this feat.

• The mission, called Space Docking Experiment (SpaDeX), was conducted by ISRO.
• The satellites, weighing 220 kg each, were launched on December 30, 2024, and docked on January 16, 2025.
• This docking was done with high precision, demonstrating India’s growing space capabilities.
• The mission’s goal was to showcase autonomous rendezvous and docking for future satellite servicing and space station operations.
• The docking process brought the satellites within 3 meters of each other, allowing them to function as a single unit.
• This achievement enables India to join the S., Russia, and China in the group of nations capable of in-space satellite docking.

Recently, the Gangasagar Mela, held at Sagar Island in West Bengal, attracted lakhs of devotees who took a dip in the confluence of the Ganges River and the Bay of Bengal on Makar Sankranti.

• Gangasagar Mela takes place annually at Sagar Island, where the Ganges River meets the Bay of Bengal.
• The mela involves taking a dip in the waters at sunrise, particularly on Makar Sankranti.
• The Kapil Muni Temple is a key pilgrimage site during the mela.

It is the second-largest human gathering after Kumbh Mela, attracting millions of devotees each year.

India has successfully tested its first indigenous micro-missile system, Bhargavastra, designed to counter swarm drones.

• The system can detect small incoming drones from distances over 6 kilometers.
• It is designed for rapid deployment on mobile platforms, allowing quick adaptation to various operational scenarios.
• Bhargavastra can simultaneously detect, track, and engage up to 64 targets, making it highly effective against large drone attacks.
• It uses guided micro munitions to precisely neutralize identified drone threats.

Fifteen Indian fishermen from Kanniyakumari, Tamil Nadu, were reportedly detained by the British Navy near Diego Garcia Island for allegedly crossing into restricted waters.

• Diego Garcia is the largest and southernmost island of the Chagos Archipelago, located in the central Indian Ocean.
• It is part of the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT), established in 1965 when the UK separated it from Mauritius.
• The island hosts a significant U.S. military base, serving strategic roles in surveillance, refueling, and operations across the Middle East, Asia, and Africa.
• The island was discovered by Portuguese explorers in the early 1500s and remained uninhabited until the French began using it as a leper colony and for coconut plantations in the late 18th century.

The Union Minister has approved 56 new watershed development projects under the Watershed Development Component of Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana 2.0 (PMKSY-WDC 2.0).

• Implemented by the Department of Land Resources (DoLR) under the Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD).
• Projects will cover 10 states: Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Assam, Nagaland, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Sikkim.
• Each project will cover around 5,000 hectares, with smaller areas in hilly regions.
• PMKSY-WDC 2.0 is a continuation of the Watershed Development Component of PMKSY 1.0, implemented from 2021 to 2026.
• The Integrated Watershed Management Programme (IWMP) started in 2009-10 and was merged with PMKSY as WDC in 2015-16.

India developed the world’s most powerful hydrogen-powered train engine with a capacity of 1,200 horsepower, using indigenous technology.

• The first trial of this engine will occur on the Jind-Sonipat route in Haryana.
• Only four countries—Germany, France, Sweden, and China—have hydrogen train engines, producing 500-600 horsepower.
• Hydrogen is abundant and clean, emitting only water as a byproduct when used in fuel cells.
• Types of hydrogen include green (produced via renewable energy), blue (from natural gas with carbon capture), grey (from natural gas without carbon capture), and pink (via nuclear-powered electrolysis).
• India’s Green Hydrogen Policy (2022) aims to make it a leading global producer and supplier of green hydrogen.
• The National Green Hydrogen Mission (2023) targets establishing India as a global hub for green hydrogen production and export.
• The SIGHT Programme offers incentives for manufacturing electrolysers and green hydrogen production.

The Centre has issued operational guidelines for implementing the PM-Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana under the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy.

• The guidelines cover components such as Central Financial Assistance and the Payment Security Mechanism.
• The scheme includes two models for installing rooftop solar (RTS) plants: Renewable Energy Service Company (RESCO) Model and Utility-Led Aggregation (ULA) Model.
• The PM-Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana was approved by the Government of India on February 29, 2024.
• It aims to increase solar rooftop capacity and empower households to generate their own electricity.
• The scheme has a financial outlay of ₹75,021 crore and will be implemented until March 31, 2027.
• Residential consumers are eligible for a subsidy of up to 40% to reduce the upfront cost of rooftop solar installations.
• The scheme is managed by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy.

Union Minister of Commerce & Industry, Shri Piyush  inaugurated the National Turmeric Board in New Delhi.

• The headquarters of the Board has been set up at
• The NTB is an executive body, not a statutory body.
• Members include representatives from the Ministry of AYUSH, Department of Pharmaceuticals, Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, and Department of Commerce.
• India is the largest producer, consumer, and exporter of turmeric.
• India contributes 70% to global production and 62% to global trade.
• Major turmeric-producing states are Maharashtra, Telangana, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu.
• Varieties with GI tags include Erode Turmeric (Tamil Nadu), Lakadong Turmeric (Meghalaya), and Kandhamal Haldi (Odisha).