GKToday Current Affairs 🎯 24 January, 2026

Overview of Current Affairs and Key Topics

Introduction to Today's Session

• The session begins with a greeting and an overview of the date, January 24th.

• The topics for discussion include Munna Island, Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana, Lamda Community, Indira Gandhi Parakram Day, Operation Trashi, Indo-Pacific Ocean Initiative, Bombala Irrigation Project, and current affairs related to Heaven Vern and Akats mission.

Review of Previous Day's Questions

• A review of questions from the previous day is initiated.

• The first question pertains to which city has been ranked as the world's safest city according to the 2026 Namo Global Safety Index.

• Abu Dhabi is identified as the safest city for ten consecutive years in this index.

Insights on Munna Island

Discovery and Significance

• Munna Island has recently gained attention due to researchers discovering the world's oldest rock art there.

• This ancient rock art features a human hand outline estimated to be between 67,000 to 80,000 years old.

Geographic Context

• Munna Island is part of Indonesia's Sulawesi province and is known for its rich culture and natural beauty.

• Indonesia consists of approximately 17,000 islands; key islands include Sumatra, Java, Bali, Lombok.

Geopolitical Insights on Indonesia

Capital City Information

• Jakarta is confirmed as the capital city of Indonesia located on Java island.

Future Developments

• A new capital named Nusantara is planned for implementation by 2045 on Borneo island.

Government Schemes: Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana

Overview of the Scheme

• Launched in 2015 by the Government of India aimed at empowering girl children through financial security.

Recent Highlights

• As of December 2025, over 4.53 crore accounts have been opened under this scheme with total deposits reaching ₹3.33 lakh crores.

Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana Overview

Introduction to Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana

• The Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana was launched on January 22, 2015, as part of the Government of India's initiative under the "Beti Bachao Beti Padhao" campaign.

• This scheme provides a low-risk saving option specifically for girl children, offering an interest rate of 8.2% per annum.

Purpose and Benefits

• The primary aim is to support parents in saving for their daughters' education and marriage expenses through this savings account.

• The scheme aligns with three main goals: Save Girl Child, Educate Girl Child, and Empower Girl Child.

Government Schemes Discussion

Related Government Initiatives

• Various government schemes are discussed including the National Agricultural Development Scheme managed by the Ministry of Agriculture.

• Other notable schemes mentioned include Prime Minister Matru Vandana Yojana and Dindayal Antyodaya Yojana related to rural employment.

Recent Developments

• A focus on current affairs relevant to competitive exams is emphasized, highlighting the importance of staying updated with daily quizzes and digest formats provided by educational apps.

Lambada Community Insights

Community Background

• The Lambada community has recently been in news due to Supreme Court reviews regarding their Scheduled Tribe status in Telangana.

• They are primarily found in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, historically linked to Rajasthan's Marwar region.

Cultural Significance

• Known as Sugalis or Banjara, they speak a language referred to as Lambadi or Ghor Boli.

Telangana State Profile

Key Information about Telangana

• Telangana was officially formed on June 2, 2014; its capital is Hyderabad which was previously part of Andhra Pradesh.

• Current Chief Minister is K. Chandrashekar Rao (KCR), while Vishwajit Kumar is noted as the Governor.

Comparison with Andhra Pradesh

• Andhra Pradesh's capital has shifted to Amaravati with Visakhapatnam being its largest city; N. Chandrababu Naidu serves as its Chief Minister.

Overview of Indian States and Their Formation

Andhra Pradesh's Statehood History

• Discussion on the geographical context of Andhra Pradesh, including its coastal line along the Bay of Bengal.

• The formation of Andhra Pradesh in 1953 as a Telugu-speaking region following protests led by Sri Ramulu after his death in 1952.

• The reorganization act in 1956 that merged Hyderabad into Andhra Pradesh, leading to the establishment of United Andhra Pradesh.

• Telangana was separated from Andhra Pradesh in 2014, marking significant changes in state boundaries.

Corrections on Other States' Formation

• Correction regarding Odisha's statehood year: it was established as a linguistic state in 1936.

• Punjab's official recognition under the Reorganization Act occurred in 1966, despite its initial establishment in 1950.

• Jharkhand gained statehood in 2000; Tamil Nadu and Karnataka were recognized as states in 1956. Uttarakhand also received statehood status in 2000.

Recent Awards and Recognitions

Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace

• Braka Meshkel from Mozambique is awarded the Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace Disarmament and Development for 2025.

• Former NSA Shiv Shankar Menon played a key role in deciding this award; he served as NSA from 2010 to 2014.

Previous Awardee Reference

• A reminder to recall who received the same award for the year 2024, prompting engagement with viewers.

Celebration of Parakram Diwas

Commemoration Details

• Parakram Diwas is celebrated from January 23 to January 25, honoring Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose’s birth anniversary (129th).

• Organized by the Ministry of Culture, Government of India; highlights Bose’s famous quote about freedom.

Historical Context

• Discussion on Bose leading the Indian National Army (INA), formed with Japanese support against British rule during India's independence movement.

Counter-Terrorism Operations

Operation Trashi One Overview

• Operation Trashi One is a counter-terrorism initiative conducted in Trashiwan district within Jammu & Kashmir.

Operational Details

• The operation commenced on its fourth day; involves collaboration between Indian Army, Jammu & Kashmir Police, and CRPF.

Spain Joins the Indo-Pacific Ocean Initiative

Overview of the Indo-Pacific Ocean Initiative

• Spain recently announced its membership in the Indo-Pacific Ocean Initiative (IPOI), collaborating with India's External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar in New Delhi.

• The IPOI, founded by India in 2019, aims to enhance maritime security and cooperation while boosting free and secure trade in the Indo-Pacific region.

Spain's Role and Geographic Context

• Spain is located in Southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula, with Madrid as its capital.

• The announcement marks a significant step for Spain as it becomes a new member of this strategic initiative.

Bamla Irrigation Project in Maharashtra

Details of the Bamla Irrigation Project

• The Bamla Irrigation Project is situated in Maharashtra's Vidarbha region, which has been facing severe drought conditions.

• This multi-purpose project aligns with two key initiatives:

• Prime Minister's Agricultural Irrigation Scheme launched by the Government of India in 2015.

• Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Program (AIBP), established in 1996 to improve irrigation methods.

Objectives and Progress

• The project aims to irrigate approximately 52,543 hectares of land, benefiting over 100 villages.

• Currently, about 95% of canal work has been completed under this initiative.

Current Affairs Related to Space Exploration

Introduction of Heaven One Commercial Space Station

• Heaven One is set to become the world's first commercial space station, developed by a U.S. company named Vast with support from NASA and private partners.

• It will facilitate short missions supporting microgravity research, orbital tourism, and space manufacturing alongside NASA’s existing International Space Station (ISS).

Japan's Akatsuki Mission Update

• Japan’s Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)'s Akatsuki mission has officially ended after losing contact for over a year; it was focused on studying Venus' environment.

• Launched in 2010, Akatsuki aimed to analyze Venus' atmosphere and volcanic activity before concluding operations in 2026.