Maruti Suzuki to build a Rs 35,000 crore manufacturing plant in Gujarat, creating about 12,000 jobs.
Maruti Suzuki will invest Rs 35,000 crore to build a new vehicle manufacturing plant at Khoraj GIDC on 1,750 acres in Ahmedabad district, projected to create around 12,000 jobs; the project follows an MoU with the Gujarat government signed at the Vibrant Summit 2024 and is supported by state-issued investment facilitation and land allocation.

Andaman and Nicobar Islands to be developed as a hub of blue economy with marine projects and biotech initiatives.
The Union Government plans to develop the Andaman and Nicobar Islands as a hub of the Blue Economy, leveraging the Deep Ocean Mission and targeted initiatives-open sea cage culture, seaweed cultivation, and a coral fish development project-to generate value addition, exports and livelihoods. Joint action under Bio E3 and a collaborative cluster among the Ministry of Earth Sciences, Department of Biotechnology and CSIR will support marine biotechnology, biodegradable marine products and cost effective production of medicinal compounds from marine biodiversity.

Karnataka attracts Rs 1.53 lakh crore in new industrial investment proposals; approvals to be processed by Karnataka Udyog Mitra.
Karnataka attracted Rs 1.53 lakh crore in new industrial investment proposals after the Global Investors' Meet, spanning manufacturing, renewable energy, data centres and global capability centres; proposals will be submitted to Karnataka Udyog Mitra for expeditious approval. Sectoral allocations include Rs 66,293 crore for manufacturing, Rs 20,913 crore for wind and solar, Rs 12,500 crore for GCCs and Rs 6,350 crore for data centres. Major proposed projects include engine and electronics manufacturing, pharmaceutical enzyme production, beverage manufacturing, aerospace components, wind turbine manufacture and large data centre and technology facilities by noted corporate investors.

Punjab: fence to be shifted closer to restore farmland access; state objects to Seeds Bill and SYL water sharing.
Centre agreed in principle to shift the security fence closer to the International Border to restore farmer access to land; the Union Home Minister said the proposal is under active consideration. The Punjab CM raised multiple agrarian and administrative grievances-objections to the Seeds Bill 2025 for reducing state representation and curtailing State Seed Committee powers, lack of compensation framework and mandatory multi-location testing for imported varieties, unresolved SYL water dispute asserting no surplus water to share, constrained foodgrain movement and storage, frozen Arthia Commission, and non-reimbursement of RDF and Mandi Fund-and sought prompt, time-bound resolution.

Maharashtra cabinet approves Atal Setu toll relief, police housing township, MUTP 2 funding, irrigation and mobility projects.
The cabinet extended a 50% toll concession on Atal Setu for one year, maintaining full toll exemption for electric vehicles and buses; approved a Mumbai Police Housing Township to provide 40,000-45,000 houses developed by the Maharashtra State Infrastructure Development Corporation over about 5 crore sq ft at an estimated Rs 20,000 crore with 30% state contribution and 70% debt; and cleared the revised financial plan for MUTP 2 with funding adjustments from suburban rail surcharge and commercial development of railway land.

Haryana and British Columbia explore cooperation in clean energy, trade, technology and skill development, seeking MoUs and pilot projects.
Haryana and British Columbia discussed cooperative initiatives in clean energy, trade, technology and skill development, prioritizing renewable energy, green hydrogen, energy storage and energy-efficient processes; explored IT services, AI platforms, agri-food value chains, cold-chain infrastructure, food safety and export promotion; and contemplated industry-linked skill training, academic exchange, regulated workforce mobility and pilot projects culminating in potential Memoranda of Understanding to formalize institutional arrangements.

Ramkatha event inaugurated by the Vice President promotes peace, harmony and outreach to marginalised communities.
Vice President C P Radhakrishnan inaugurated a nine day Ramkatha at Bharat Mandapam (January 17-25) with high profile attendees; organisers presented the programme as a public religious and cultural assembly aimed at promoting peace, harmony, nonviolence and compassion and extending Ramkatha traditions to marginalised communities.

Punjab named leader state in Export Preparedness Index; policy reforms and infrastructure upgrades boosted export readiness.
Punjab was named a leader state in the Export Preparedness Index 2024 for improvements across policy framework, business environment, export ecosystem and export performance, ranking second among landlocked states. The state's progress is attributed to sector-specific industrial policies, ease-of-doing-business reforms, institutional strengthening, MSME support, and infrastructure and connectivity upgrades addressing logistical constraints to enhance export readiness.

UCO Bank will seek SEBI extension as government unlikely to dilute stake; QIP and OFS capital-raising options planned.
UCO Bank will seek a SEBI extension on the minimum public shareholding requirement as the government likely will not dilute its stake to 25% by the August 1, 2026 deadline. The bank is evaluating capital-raising options-QIP and OFS-with the board approving a QIP up to Rs 2,700 crore and the government deciding any OFS size. Management reported improved profitability, margins and asset quality, maintained 12-14% credit growth guidance, and highlighted retail strength alongside a selectively pursued corporate loan pipeline.

University of Hyderabad students boycotted classes and marched to demand accountability for Rohith Vemula's death.
University of Hyderabad students held a campus boycott, memorial gathering and torch procession marking Rohith Vemula's tenth death anniversary, framing the event as resistance to caste discrimination and an assertion that Vemula's death signifies "institutional murder." The Ambedkar Students Association demanded accountability from the university, the Ministry of Education, and the state, contending that institutional and state responsibility has not been accepted and linking the commemoration to broader Dalit-Bahujan-Adivasi struggles for dignity.

US Congressional delegation reassures Denmark and Greenland amid presidential threats to use tariffs over Greenland.
A bipartisan US Congressional delegation sought to reassure Denmark and Greenland after a presidential threat to impose tariffs to secure a US takeover of Greenland, emphasising de-escalation, respect for Denmark as a NATO ally, and denial of current security threats; diplomatic talks yielded a working group with divergent public descriptions and reinforced Danish insistence that Greenland's future is for Denmark and Greenland to decide, highlighting tensions over territorial sovereignty, alliance trust, and the use of trade policy as coercion.

MBA Wallah reports multiple 99+ CAT 2025 percentiles, while disclaiming no guaranteed ranks and requiring score verification.
MBA Wallah reported multiple 99+ percentiles in CAT 2025, attributing results to structured preparation, flexible online delivery, and mentorship. The release includes a clear disclaimer that results vary by individual effort and background, that the organisation does not guarantee specific ranks or percentiles, and that student-reported scores are subject to verification with official CAT scorecards; it also discloses the press-release distribution arrangement and limits editorial responsibility.

Educational infrastructure delivered under AI-led single-point accountability with Digital Twin, QASCON quality audits, and escrow-backed timelines.
AI-led execution model provides single-point accountability from design to handover with contractual, digitally tracked timelines and delay accountability. Projects use Digital Twin (BIM), real-time dashboards, and stage-wise financial tracking to ensure visibility and early design validation. Quality is enforced via a registered Quality Assessment System (QASCON ) with multi-level audits and digitised checkpoints. The offering is represented as compliant with National Building Code standards to reduce rework and expedite statutory approvals, supported by escrow payment protection and audit-backed governance to deliver institutional projects on time and within budget.

Meena Subramanian receives Kovai Subri Muruga Gana Award for lifetime contribution to Carnatic music and pedagogy.
Meena Subramanian was conferred the Kovai Subri Muruga Gana Award by Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Coimbatore Kendra, recognising her lifetime contribution to Carnatic music, including her performance career, propagation of the MLV bani in Coimbatore and Kongunadu, pedagogical role in building a large student community, production of devotional and scholarly musical features, and work as an All India Radio 'A'-grade artiste and staff artiste.

Inclusive education: RMSD highlights empowerment, vocational training and assistive technology for visually impaired girls at annual celebration.
Ranga Rao Memorial School for Differently Abled, a free residential school for visually impaired girls, marked its 37th Annual Day emphasizing holistic education, vocational training, emotional support, and accessibility. Directorate officials endorsed the school's model of dignity and independence. A technology-enabled skit highlighted practical use of assistive tools, illustrating how assistive technology and vocational instruction advance resilience, social participation, and pathways to autonomy for differently abled students.

Foreign news roundup: US lawmakers push for lower Indian pulse tariffs and China reduces US debt holdings.
A foreign-news roundup emphasizes trade and security developments: US lawmakers urging tariff reductions on Indian pulses as a trade priority for American producers; enforcement action in the US for illegal export of controlled aviation parts to Russia; China's reduction of US Treasury holdings in favor of gold and overseas equities; and parallel items on a US presidential claim regarding India-Pakistan hostilities, appointment to a Gaza redevelopment board, an Indian naval port call in Singapore, communal violence in Bangladesh, and Pakistani counterterror operations in Balochistan.

Wings India 2026 at Hyderabad's Begumpet Airport will showcase aviation manufacturing, services, innovation and sustainable solutions.
Wings India 2026 will be a four-day exhibition at Hyderabad's Begumpet Airport beginning January 28, featuring an international exhibition, static and flying displays, aerobatic shows, a high-level international conference, CEO roundtables, B2B/B2G meetings, an aviation job fair and awards ceremony to promote India's aviation manufacturing, services, innovation, safety and sustainability. Ministerial-level foreign delegations and official delegations from over 20 countries will attend, and the conference will run 13 thematic sessions plus a Global CEOs Forum and Ministerial Plenary on topics including airports, aircraft leasing, helicopters, airlines, women in aviation and MRO.

Gen Z mental health crisis: digital overstimulation, identity loss, and meditation as a path to inner balance.
Mental health crisis among Generation Z manifests as increased anxiety, depression, insomnia, stress illnesses and identity confusion driven by academic and economic pressures, excessive screen exposure, and social media based external validation. Performative online identities impair authentic selfhood while lifestyle factors - disrupted sleep, sedentary routines, poor diet, and chronic mental fatigue - create a mind-body disconnect. Professor Amod Sachan recommends meditation and emotional awareness to restore inner balance, strengthen resilience, and prioritize inner fulfilment over external markers of success.

Focus Netralaya empanelment enables cashless eye care for ECHS beneficiaries in Moradabad and Bareilly divisions.
Focus Netralaya has been empanelled with the Regional Centre of the Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS), enabling cashless eye care and eye surgery for ECHS beneficiaries in the Moradabad and Bareilly divisions in accordance with government rules. The NABH-accredited super-specialty hospital provides cataract, glaucoma, retina, dry eye and laser treatments, uses AI-based diagnostic and surgical technology, and is already empanelled under several government and insurance schemes.

Manush Shah wins WTT Feeder Vadodara, rises to world singles No. 58 and secures historic mixed doubles qualification.
Manush Shah won the WTT Feeder event in Vadodara, achieved a career-best world singles ranking of 58, and, alongside Diya Chitale, became part of the first Indian mixed doubles pair to qualify for the World Table Tennis Finals; he also won the Senior National Championship and holds world rankings of 58 in singles, 9 in mixed doubles, and 6 in men's doubles.