1 Arijit Singh’s retirement from playback singing
On January 27th , singer and composer Arijit Singh announced his retirement from playback singing . He shared this information via an Instagram post. Arijit first appeared on the reality TV show Fame Gurukul in 2005. As a playback singer, he sang for the Telugu film “KD” in 2010. He made his Bollywood debut in 2011 with “Murder 2.” In 2013, Arijit received his first Filmfare Award for the song “Tum Hi Ho” from “Aashiqui 2.” In 2018, he received the Best Singer Award for “Binte Dil” from the film “Padmaavat” and in 2022 for “Kesariya” from “Brahmastra: Part One.” He was honored with the Padma Shri in 2025. Arijit has sung over 300 songs in Hindi, Bengali, Tamil, Telugu, Marathi, Gujarati, Malayalam, Kannada, and Punjabi. Arijit Singh was born on 25 April 1987 in Jiaganj, West Bengal.
2 India-EU summit follows signing of historic free trade agreement
A historic free trade agreement was signed following the India-EU summit in New Delhi between Prime Minister Narendra Modi , European Council President Antonio Costa , and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen . The talks resulted in agreements in several areas, including trade, security, defense partnership, mobility, disaster risk management, and green hydrogen. On January 27th , India and the European Union (EU) signed a free trade agreement (FTA) . It was announced during the 16th India-EU Summit after 18 years of negotiations . The India-EU free trade agreement will bring low or zero tariffs to the EU market on Indian textiles, leather, jewelry, pharmaceuticals, and fishery products. The deal will reduce the tax on European goods, such as BMWs and Mercedes-Benzes, from 110% to 10%. The EU is one of India’s largest trading partners, with bilateral trade in goods and services steadily growing over the past few years. India’s bilateral trade in goods with the EU is projected to reach ₹11.5 lakh crore (US$136.54 billion) in 2024-25, with exports at ₹6.4 lakh crore (US$75.85 billion) and imports at ₹5.1 lakh crore (US$60.68 billion). India-EU trade in services is projected to reach ₹7.2 lakh crore (US$83.10 billion) in 2024. India is the world’s fourth-largest economy , while the EU is the second-largest . Together, they account for about 25% of global GDP and nearly one-third of world trade . The EU becomes India’s 22nd FTA partner . The government has signed trade deals with Mauritius, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, EFTA, Oman, and Australia since 2014, and has announced a trade agreement with New Zealand. In 2025, India signed trade agreements with Oman and the UK and announced the conclusion of a trade agreement with New Zealand. After World War II, six European countries established the European Union in 1951 to foster peace and economic strength. Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands founded the European Union. Currently, the European Union has 27 member states.
3 PM Modi inaugurated IEW 2026
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday virtually inaugurated the fourth edition of the India Energy Week (IEW) 2026 Conclave . He described the India-European Union Free Trade Agreement as the mother of all deals and a shining example of synergy between the world’s two largest economies. At the invitation of India’s Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas, the Honourable Hardeep Singh Puri , Canada’s Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, the Honourable Timothy Hodgson, participated in India Energy Week 2026 (IEW’26) in Goa , marking the first high-level participation by a Canadian Cabinet Minister at the IEW. During the event, the two ministers held a bilateral meeting and launched a new India-Canada Ministerial Energy Dialogue. The IEW aims to enhance energy security, attract investment, and promote effective, scalable approaches to decarbonization that can be adopted by economies at different stages of development. The three-day event will feature delegations from the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Asia-Pacific region, reflecting IEW’s growing influence in global energy diplomacy. IEW expects more than 75,000 energy professionals from over 120 countries to attend.
4 IIT Guwahati develops new technology to monitor glacier hazards in the Eastern Himalayas
Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati have developed a new technique that can help predict glacier-related hazards in the Eastern Himalayan region . Using this technique, scientists have identified 492 locations where glacial lakes are likely to form in the future. This research, conducted using high-resolution Google Earth satellite imagery and digital elevation models , will help improve water resource management and disaster risk reduction in mountainous regions. The model developed in this research has helped understand the complex geological structure of the region and accurately predict potential risks, making predictions more reliable. This new system has identified areas where new lakes could form due to glacier melt. Special monitoring and timely preventive measures can be implemented in these areas. Professor Ajay Dashora, Assistant Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, IIT Guwahati, said that this technique will help develop early warning systems for severe disasters such as Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs). This will enable roads, hydroelectric projects and settlements to be developed in safer locations.
5 Uniform Civil Code Amendment Ordinance 2026 comes into force in Uttarakhand.
The Uttarakhand government has promulgated the Uniform Civil Code (Amendment) Ordinance, 2026. Following the Governor’s approval, the ordinance became effective immediately. According to the Chief Minister’s Office, the Governor of Uttarakhand issued this ordinance under Article 213 of the Constitution of India. This ordinance makes procedural, administrative, and penal reforms to various provisions of the UCC Act, 2024 , to ensure its effective, transparent, and smooth implementation. Before the UCC was implemented, marriage registrations were conducted under the Uttarakhand Compulsory Marriage Registration Act, 2010. The entire process was offline. However, under the UCC, almost 100% of marriage registrations are now conducted online. As a result, as of January 19th, a total of 474,447 marriage registrations have been completed in less than a year since the UCC came into effect.
6 Embraer and Adani sign MoU on aviation manufacturing
Brazilian aerospace manufacturer Embraer has signed a memorandum of understanding with Adani Aerospace & Defence to explore aircraft manufacturing , including a potential final assembly line, as well as an aviation ecosystem that includes MRO and pilot training. According to a joint statement, the partnership aims to establish the country’s first final assembly line for commercial aircraft, followed by a phased increase in indigenization. However, no timeline or location for the proposed facilities has been disclosed.
7 Government approves Rs 200 crore smart fishing harbour at Mayabunder in Andaman
The government has approved the development of a smart and integrated fishing harbour at Mayabunder in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands at a cost of ₹200 crore . The Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying stated that the project will be funded with 100% central assistance under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana . The harbour will provide safe and secure facilities for 430 fishing vessels and land 9,900 tonnes of fish per year. It will integrate sustainable fisheries management, increased fish handling capacity, improved operational safety, energy-efficient systems, and digital traceability. This will help create employment, increase stakeholder incomes, strengthen livelihoods, and combat illegal and unauthorised fishing.
8 Ministry of Communications signs MoU with SSL to provide capital market services
The Ministry of Communications signed an agreement with Stock Holding Services Limited (SSL) to provide regulated capital market services to citizens across the country . The Ministry stated that this partnership seeks to leverage India Post ‘s reach and credibility to enhance citizen participation in organized and regulated capital markets. Select post offices will provide digital services through an official platform, such as on-boarding links and QR codes, allowing citizens to access SSL services. These services include opening demat and trading accounts, investing in mutual funds, participating in IPOs, and other approved investment products. Under this agreement, SSL, with the support of the Department of Posts, will conduct investor education and financial literacy programs, especially for citizens in rural and semi-urban areas and first-time investors, to empower them to participate in the financial markets.
9 Rang Mahotsav at National School of Drama inaugurated by Culture and Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat in New Delhi
Culture and Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat inaugurated the 25th Bharat Rang Mahotsav 2026 at the National School of Drama in New Delhi . National School of Drama Director Chittaranjan Tripathi praised the enthusiasm of the new artists participating in the festival. He said that every year, new artists present their theatrical art, ideas, and knowledge to the public at the Rang Mahotsav. The Bharat Rang Mahotsav will continue until February 20th next month . The Brazilian theatre production ” Pasado Presente Genturo ” is set to make its international debut in 2026. This production will represent Brazil at two major global theatre festivals – the 25th Bharat Rang Mahotsav in India and the 5th GITIS Fest in Russia.
10 French Parliament passes bill banning social media for children under 15
The French Parliament has approved a bill banning social media for children under th10 e age of 15. The bill passed by a vote of 130 to 21. The bill will come into effect from the start of the next academic year in September. French President Emmanuel Macron had requested the bill’s early passage. It will now be discussed in the Senate. The bill is modeled after the European Union’s Digital Services Act, which imposes stricter rules to keep internet users safe online. Previously, the UK had also discussed possible restrictions on children’s social media use. In December last year, Australia became the first country to ban social media for children under the age of 16.
11 OCA President Randhir Singh retires
On January 26th , Randhir Singh retired as President of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) . Former Indian sports administrator Ranvir Singh retired prematurely due to health reasons. Randhir Singh retired two years before his tenure due to health reasons. He was scheduled to serve until 2028. Randhir was the first Indian to become OCA President in September 2024. Randhir served as General Secretary of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) from 1987-2012. He was a member of the International Olympic Committee from 2001-2004 and was part of the organization team for the 2010 Commonwealth Games . Randhir has played in the Olympics five times , including Mexico 1968, Munich 1972, Montreal 1976, Moscow 1980, and Los Angeles 1984. Randhir won gold in trap shooting at the 1978 Asian Games . He also won bronze in individual shooting and silver in group shooting in 1982. The OCA elected Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani as president at its General Assembly in Tashkent on January 26, 2026.
12 Don Bradman’s ‘Baggy Green Cap’ auctioned for Rs 2.92 crore
On January 27th , the late Australian cricketer Sir Don Bradman ‘s ” Baggy Green ” cap was auctioned for ₹29 million (US$460,000), equivalent to approximately ₹29.2 million (approximately ₹29.2 million). Bradman wore the cap during the first Test series against independent India in 1947-48 . Bradman gifted it to Indian team opening bowler Shriranga Sohni after the series . The Sohni family preserved Bradman’s cap for nearly 75 years, and it has now been auctioned. Indian cricketer Shriranga Sohni bowled the first ball of the first Test match of the 1947-48 series. After the match, Bradman gave his cap to Sohni as a memento. The cap is engraved with the names of both players. Until now, the record for the most expensive Baggy Green cap is held by Australian spinner Shane Warne. This cap was auctioned for Rs 5.90 crore.
13 Vedanta Kalinga Lancers beat Ranchi Royals 3-2 to win the Men’s Hockey India League title.
The Vedanta Kalinga Lancers won the Men’s Hockey India League (HIL) title after defeating the Ranchi Royals 3-2 in a thrilling final . The match was played at the Kalinga Hockey Stadium on Monday . The Hockey India League (HIL) announced a prize money of ₹3 crore for the champions, ₹2 crore for the runners-up, ₹2 crore for the runners-up, and ₹1 crore for the third-placed Hyderabad Hurricanes. HIL GC was awarded the Fairplay Award. Tamil Nadu Dragons goalkeeper Prince Deep Singh won the Best Goalkeeper of the Tournament award. GC’s Talem Priyobarta won the Emerging Player of the Tournament award. Both players received ₹10 lakh each. Ranchi Royals captain Tom Boon, with 19 goals, was named the tournament’s top scorer and received ₹10 lakh. Amandeep Lakra of the Hyderabad Hurricanes was named Player of the Tournament, receiving ₹20 lakh.
14 International Data Privacy Day
Data Privacy Day is observed internationally every year on January 28th . It aims to raise awareness about the importance of protecting personal data and privacy in the digital age . It is also known as Data Protection Day. The day was established in 2006 to commemorate the signing of Convention 108 by the Council of Europe, the world’s first legally binding international treaty on data protection.
15 Dr. Gnanasundaram, who gave voice to the Tamil epic Kambaramayanam, passes away
Dr. Gnanasundaram, former Vice President of the Central Institute of Classical Tamil and a Tamil scholar, passed away on January 26. He was 84 years old. Dr. Gnanasundaram lent his voice to the Tamil epic poem ” Kambaramayanam ” composed by Kambar . In 2025, the Tamil Nadu government awarded Dr. Gnanasundaram the Ilakkiya Mamani Award for his contributions to Tamil letters . Dr. Gnanasundaram also served as Deputy Director of the Central Institute of Classical Tamil Studies .