1 President Draupadi Murmu announced 70 gallantry awards on the eve of 77th Republic Day.
President Draupadi Murmu announced gallantry awards for 70 armed forces personnel on the eve of the 77th Republic Day . Six of these awards will be given posthumously. Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, who created history by becoming the first Indian to visit the International Space Station, will be awarded the Ashok Chakra , the country’s highest peacetime gallantry award . Major Arshdeep Singh, Naib Subedar Doleshwar Subba Singh, and Group Captain Prashant Balakrishnan Nair will be awarded the Kirti Chakra . In addition, 13 Shaurya Chakras, one gallantry bar to the Sena Medal, 44 Sena Medals for Gallantry, six Naval Medals for Gallantry, and two Vayu Sena Medals for Gallantry will also be awarded to armed forces personnel. The President also approved 301 military medals for armed forces and other personnel. These include 30 Param Vishisht Seva Medals, four Uttam Yudh Seva Medals, 56 Ati Vishisht Seva Medals, nine Yudh Seva Medals, two Distinguished Bars to the Sena Medal, 43 Vishisht Seva Medals, eight Vishisht Nao Sena Medals, 14 Vishisht Vayu Sena Medals, and 135 Vishisht Seva Medals. On this occasion, the President approved 98 commendation certificates to the Armed Forces personnel, including five posthumous ones. These include 81 medals of the Indian Army, including 17 for Operation Rakshak, 11 for Operation Snow Leopard, 11 for Operation Hifazat, five for Operation Orchid, two for Operation Meghdoot, one for Operation Rhino, two for Operation Sindoor, and three for rescue operations. Four medals were awarded for casualty evacuation operations, one for Operation Sophan, and 24 for miscellaneous operations.
The President of India has approved the award of the Life Saving Medal Series of Awards – 2025 to 30 individuals, including six Sarvottam Jeevan Raksha Medals, six Uttam Jeevan Raksha Medals, and 18 Jeevan Raksha Medals . Six individuals have been awarded this award posthumously. Sarvottam Jeevan Raksha Medal :
- Shri Manohar Singh Chauhan (posthumous), Madhya Pradesh
- Shri Rajendra Prasad Mishra, Madhya Pradesh
- Shri P.S. Gowrishankar Raja (Posthumous), Tamil Nadu
- Naik Ashutosh Biswas (posthumous), Ministry of Defence
- Shri Deepak Kumar (Posthumous), Ministry of Defence
- Naib Subedar Manjeet (posthumous), Ministry of Defence
3 Government announces 131 Padma Awards for the year 2026
The President has approved the conferment of 131 Padma Awards for the year 2026. The list includes five Padma Vibhushans, thirteen Padma Bhushans, and 113 Padma Shris . Nineteen of the honorees are women, and 16 are posthumous.
Famous film actor Dharmendra Singh Deol has been awarded the Padma Vibhushan posthumously for his notable contribution in the field of arts . K.T. Thomas from Kerala for public service , N. Rajam from Uttar Pradesh for arts and P. Narayanan from Kerala for literature have been awarded the country ‘s second highest civilian honour. Former Kerala Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan has been awarded the Padma Vibhushan posthumously for his contribution in public service . Singer Alka Yagnik , former Uttarakhand Chief Minister Bhagat Singh Koshyari , Kalipatti Ramasamy Palanisamy from Tamil Nadu and actor Mammootty from Kerala are included in the list of Padma Bhushan awardees. Apart from these, Nori Dattatreyudu and Vijay Amritraj from Tamil Nadu, S.K.M. Mylanandan, Satavadhani R. Ganesh, Uday Kotak and Vellappally Natesan from Tamil Nadu have also received the Padma Vibhushan award. Piyush Pandey, V.K. Malhotra and Shibu Soren have been posthumously awarded the Padma Vibhushan. The government has released the list of Padma Shri awards, the fourth highest civilian honour. One hundred and thirteen individuals have been announced for Padma Shri awards for distinguished service in various fields, including art, social work, public service, medicine, and sports. The Padma Vibhushan award is given for exceptional and distinguished service, the Padma Bhushan for distinguished service, and the Padma Shri for distinguished service.
4 Union Minister for Development of North Eastern Region Jyotiraditya Scindia laid the foundation stone of ‘Matabari Tourism Circuit’ constructed at a cost of Rs 450 crore in Dumbur.
On the last day of his visit to Tripura, Union Minister for Development of North Eastern Region and Communications, Jyotiraditya Scindia, laid the foundation stone for the ₹450 crore Matabari Tourism Circuit at Narkel Kunja on Dumbur Lake . Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha joined the event virtually, while Tourism Minister Sushanta Chowdhury was present at the venue. With the foundation stone ceremony, the Union Minister announced development projects worth ₹750 crore for Tripura during his three-day visit . The Matabari Tourism Circuit, being developed at a cost of ₹450 crore, will integrate the Tripura Sundari Temple, Chhabimura, and Dumbur Lake , positioning Tripura on the global map of spiritual and eco-tourism. Of the total project cost, ₹276 crore is being funded by the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region . The project will include floating jetties, eco-friendly resorts, modern tourism facilities, and experiences steeped in local culture, giving the Dumbur region a distinct international tourism identity.
5 Scotland to replace Bangladesh in T20 World Cup
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced that Scotland will replace Bangladesh in Group C of the T20 World Cup, scheduled to be held in India and Sri Lanka from February 7. ICC Chief Executive Officer Sanjog Gupta informed member boards of this decision in a letter. He explained that Bangladesh’s demand to play its scheduled matches outside India was not in accordance with ICC policy. The letter stated that there was no other option but to include Scotland.
National Tourism Day is celebrated every year on January 25th to recognize India’s natural beauty and raise awareness about the importance of tourism to the Indian economy. India is one of the top tourist attractions for visitors from around the world. Therefore, tourism in India is of great cultural and economic importance.
7 National Voters’ Day
National Voters’ Day is celebrated in India every year on January 25th . This year, the theme of the event is ” My India, My Vote ” and its slogan is ” Citizens at the Centre of Indian Democracy .” The Chief Election Commissioner is Shri Gyanesh Kumar, and the Election Commissioners are Dr. Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Dr. Vivek Joshi. The Election Commission of India was formed on January 25th, 1950 , one day before the Indian Constitution came into effect , as India was to become a republic on January 26th, 1950. To increase public participation in elections, the Government of India started celebrating the Election Commission’s founding day, January 25th, as National Voters’ Day in 2011. Since then, National Voters’ Day has been celebrated every year on January 25th.
8 International Customs Day
International Customs Day is observed every year on January 26th around the world . It celebrates the invisible system of global trade, security, and cooperation that connects people and businesses across borders. The day is dedicated to the joint efforts of customs to strengthen global supply chains, foster collaboration, effectively utilize technology, and place traditional and new partners at the center of change. International Customs Day, celebrated every year on January 26th, is a testament to the pivotal role of customs in shaping global trade and international cooperation. The day also commemorates the anniversary of the World Customs Organization (WCO) , an intergovernmental body dedicated to strengthening and enhancing the effectiveness of customs administrations globally.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has condoled the passing away of veteran journalist and renowned broadcaster Sir Mark Tully . Senior journalist and renowned broadcaster Mark Tully passed away today in New Delhi at the age of 90. Born on October 24, 1935, in Kolkata, Tully began his journalistic career with the BBC in the 1960s . Mr. Tully was a long-time correspondent in India and subsequently served as the BBC’s Bureau Chief in New Delhi for over two decades .
10 Former BCCI President Inderjit Singh Bindra passes away at the age of 84
Former Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) President Inderjit Singh Bindra has passed away at the age of 84. Bindra, a key figure in ushering in a new era of cricket marketing in India , served as BCCI President from 1993 to 1996. He also served as President of the Punjab Cricket Association for three consecutive decades, from 1978 to 2014. In 2015, the PCA Stadium in Mohali was renamed the IS Bindra Stadium to commemorate his contributions.