General Awareness

DAYS AND EVENTS - December 2020

Dec 2020

Jan 20, 2026

86th All India Presiding Officers’ Conference opens in Lucknow

The 86th All India Presiding Officers’ Conference began in Lucknow with Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla flagging concerns about the declining duration of Assembly sessions. Birla stressed impartiality and the need for longer discussions to reflect the will of the people. The three‑day conference hosts presiding officers from 28 states, 3 Union Territories, and 6 Legislative Councils. Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel inaugurated the event, and the opening included greetings from Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The conference aims to discuss legislative procedures, time management, and reforms to strengthen state legislatures.

86th All India Presiding Officers’ Conference begins
Birla highlights shrinking assembly durations
Participants: 28 states, 3 UTs, 6 Councils
Inauguration by UP Governor; PM Modi’s greetings read
Focus on time management and reform in legislatures

Jan 19, 2026

Kokborok Day 2026 Observed on 19 January

Kokborok Day 2026, also known as Tripuri Language Day, is observed on 19 January in Tripura. The day celebrates the linguistic and cultural heritage of the Tripuri community and recognizes Kokborok as an official language of Tripura. The observance includes government and cultural programs in schools and public spaces, highlighting ongoing efforts to preserve and promote Kokborok in education and media. This year marks the 48th anniversary of Kokborok s official recognition and underscores language diversity within India.

Date: 19 January 2026
Occasion: Kokborok Day (Tripura language)
Significance: official language status anniversary
Activities: cultural programs and education initiatives
Theme: preservation of Kokborok language

Global Buddhist Summit II Scheduled for Delhi on January 24-25

New Delhi will host the second Global Buddhist Summit on 24 and 25 January 2026. The International Buddhist Confederation, with the Culture Ministry, will organize the event at Bharat Mandapam. The theme is Collective Wisdom, United Voice, and Mutual Coexistence. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to inaugurate the summit as Chief Guest, continuing the 2023 tradition. Delegates, including supreme patriarchs and senior monks, will discuss ethical leadership, social harmony, sustainable living, and entrepreneurship within Buddha Dhamma. NORBU, a neural language model for Buddhist texts, will be demonstrated to connect youth with Buddhist teachings in multiple languages.

Dates: 24–25 January 2026
Venue: Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi
Theme: collective wisdom and coexistence
Key participants: global Buddhist leaders
Innovation: NORBU language tool demonstration

Jan 18, 2026

Bharat Electricity Summit 2026 set for 19–22 March in New Delhi

Bharat Electricity Summit 2026 will be held from 19 to 22 March 2026 at Yashobhoomi, Dwarka, New Delhi. The global conference-cum-exhibition for the power and electricity sector was announced in New Delhi by Union Minister of Power and Housing & Urban Affairs Manohar Lal. The four‑day summit carries the theme Electrifying Growth. Empowering Sustainability. Connecting Globally. The Ministry of Power says the event will showcase India’s leadership in the global energy transition and discuss opportunities and challenges in the power sector. It will bring together government, industry, academia and civil society to deliberate on electricity futures, strengthen partnerships and foster cross‑sector dialogue. The programme features over 50 conference sessions, 500 exhibitors, 25,000 attendees, 1,000 delegates and 300 speakers.

Dates: 19–22 March 2026
Location: Yashobhoomi, Dwarka, New Delhi
Theme: Electrifying Growth. Empowering Sustainability. Connecting Globally
Participants: domestic and international policymakers, industry leaders, researchers
Format: high‑level sessions, pavilions, technology showcases
Attendance: 25,000+ attendees, 500 exhibitors, 1,000 delegates, 300 speakers

Jan 16, 2026

Ladakh suspends Chaddar trek as Zanskar river begins to unfreeze

The Ladakh UT administration suspended the popular Chaddar trek after a committee found the Zanskar River began to unfreeze, making the winter route hazardous. No trekking or related activities will be allowed during the suspension period. Officials will reassess conditions after January 20. The trek, a winter tourism draw, previously attracted hundreds of travelers. The ban prioritizes safety given extreme cold conditions with potential ice movement. While the suspension remains, BRO and SDRF teams monitor river conditions and coordinate alternative tourism options until a final decision is announced.

Chaddar trek suspended due to river unfroze; safety concerns.
No trekking allowed during suspension; reassessment after Jan 20.
Hundreds of travelers previously participated; current season affected.
Safety monitoring by BRO and SDRF; alternative activities considered.
Decision aims to protect tourists and river corridors.

Halda festival to pause tourism activity in Koksar and Sissu areas

Ahead of the Halda festival starting January 15, tourism activity will halt in Koksar, Sissu, and surrounding villages in Lahaul-Spiti for approximately 45 days. The ban aligns with traditional practices to respect local deities and ensure ceremonial quiet. Local panchayats approved the decision, with the district administration restricting vehicular movement to protect cultural traditions. The order permits essential services and BRO, ambulances, and police vehicles. Tourism stakeholders are urged to plan alternative itineraries, and authorities will review the situation in early March to determine if restrictions should continue.

Tourism halt in Koksar and Sissu for Halda festival (Jan 15 start).
Ban lasts about 45 days to honour local deities.
Vehicular movement restricted; essential services allowed.
Panchayats approved the decision; review in March.
Plans advised for alternative routes and activities.

Magh Mela 2026: Major pilgrim rush on Makar Sankranti

Magh Mela 2026 witnessed a massive influx of pilgrims as devotees crowded the Ganga and Sangam at Allahabad during Makar Sankranti. Officials reported that more than 3.6 million people had bathed by late morning, signaling the festival’s significance in faith and culture. Organizers highlighted safety measures and public facilities to handle large crowds, including sanitation and medical support. The event showcases India’s enduring religious traditions and draws participants from across the country, reinforcing regional tourism and cultural exchange. Local authorities continue to monitor crowd dynamics to ensure orderly conduct throughout the festival period.

Magh Mela attracted over 3.6 million pilgrims by late morning.
Festival coincides with Makar Sankranti celebrations.
Authorities emphasize safety, sanitation, and medical support.
Event underscores cultural and religious traditions in India.
Crowd management plans in place for ongoing festival.

President Murmu addresses Guru Nanak Dev University convocation in Amritsar

President Droupadi Murmu addressed the 50th convocation of Guru Nanak Dev University in Amritsar. She urged students to view education as both livelihood and service to society, and she emphasized contributing to uplift those left behind in development. The President is scheduled to confer degrees to students of Dr. BR Ambedkar National Institute of Technology, Jalandhar, at its 21st convocation. She will also inaugurate a High-mast National Flag and two Centres of Excellence for Cyber Security and 5G and Beyond at the institute. The address reflected the government’s focus on inclusive growth through higher education.

Murmu spoke at 50th convocation of Guru Nanak Dev University.
Convocation included degrees for Dr BR Ambedkar National Institute of Technology, Jalandhar.
Inaugurations included Cyber Security and 5G Centres of Excellence.
Education seen as a means to livelihood and societal service.
Event aligns with broader higher-education expansion goals.

Jan 15, 2026

Arjun Ram Meghwal to preside over National Youth Parliament prize distribution

The Prize Distribution Function of the 26th National Youth Parliament Competition for Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas will be held on January 15, 2026, in New Delhi. Minister of State for Law and Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Arjun Ram Meghwal will preside over the event, distributing prizes to top Vidyalayas. The competition, organized by the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs for 29 years, aims to foster self-discipline, debate skills, leadership, and democratic values among students. The 2024-25 edition involved 88 Vidyalayas across eight regions. The ceremony will feature a repeat performance of a student program by the winning Navodaya Vidyalaya, highlighting the scheme’s long-term impact on youth education.

Prize distribution for 26th National Youth Parliament
Date: 15 January 2026; venue: New Delhi
Meghwal to preside over function
Involves 88 Vidyalayas; aims to nurture leadership and debate

Indian Army Day 2026 celebrated with Jaipur public parade

India marked its 78th Army Day on January 15, 2026, with a public parade in Jaipur for the first time outside a cantonment area since 2023. Lieutenant General KM Cariappa, who became India's first Commander-in-Chief in 1949, is honored on Army Day for shaping post-independence defence leadership. The Jaipur parade showcased the Indian Army’s discipline, technology, and operational capabilities, and included a local and national audience. Expectation of gallantry award announcements and tributes to veterans accompanied the celebrations. Schools and institutions nationwide organized events to highlight the Army’s role in national security, reflecting ongoing emphasis on defence-there and public engagement.

Army Day 2026 observed on January 15
Main parade held in Jaipur; first outside Delhi/cantonments
Commemorates Lieutenant General KM Cariappa’s 1949 leadership
Gallantry awards announced; veterans honoured
Nationwide events emphasize defence and public engagement

Share on

TCY Analytics (View Subscription Plans)

Subscribe to GK Updates

I want to receive

GK Tags

August GK, July GK, June GK, INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS, ENVIRONMENT, BUSINESS AND ECONOMY, SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY, SPORTS, NATIONAL AFFAIRS, DEFENCE, PERSONS IN NEWS, DAYS AND EVENTS, AWARDS AND HONOURS, GOVERNMENT POLICIES AND SCHEMES, GENDER/ HEALTH/ EDUCATION, ART AND CULTURE, BOOKS AND AUTHORS, TOURISM AND HOTEL INDUSTRY AWARENESS, ART AND CULTURE, LAW AND CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS

Start Discussion

On any topic

Take Tests

Compiled from GK updates

Login

Sign Up

Forgot Password

Download TCY App

Unlock All Services And Enjoy The Premium Benefits

US$ 10

US$ 13

US$ 15

US$ 17

US$ 19

US$ 20

US$ 21

US$ 22

US$ 23

US$ 24

US$ 25

US$ 26