Prelims Current Affairs includes Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Jayanti (Parakram Diwas), Andhra Pradesh to Get New Spaceport at Hope Island, Saina Nehwal Retires from Competitive Badminton, Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana (SSY), Assam Launches Monthly Support Scheme for Research Scholars, National Paralympic Powerlifting Championship, Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development – 2025, Borax, Bharat Future City

IMPORTANT DAY

1. NETAJI SUBHASH CHANDRA BOSE JAYANTI (PARAKRAM DIWAS)

Observed on 23 January as Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Jayanti, also known as Parakram Diwas.

Aim : to honour the birth anniversary of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose.

ABOUT NETAJI SUBHASH CHANDRA BOSE

• Born On: 23 January 1897
• Birthplace: Cuttack, Odisha
• Freedom Struggle Role: One of the most prominent leaders of India’s freedom movement

ROLE IN INDIAN FREEDOM STRUGGLE

• Leader of the Indian National Army (INA), also called Azad Hind Fauj.
• Led an armed struggle against British rule from abroad during World War II.
• Gave the famous slogan: “Give me blood, and I will give you freedom.”

SPACE

2. ANDHRA PRADESH TO GET NEW SPACEPORT AT HOPE ISLAND

Current Context: The Government of Andhra Pradesh has announced plans to establish a new spaceport at Hope Island to support private space launches.

ABOUT HOPE ISLAND SPACEPORT

• Location: Hope Island, Andhra Pradesh
• Focus: Private and commercial launch missions

KEY FEATURES

• Part of Andhra Pradesh’s Space City initiative.
• Designed for small and medium-lift launch vehicles.
• Intended to complement existing national launch facilities.

INDIA’S SPACEPORT NETWORK

• Satish Dhawan Space Centre: Primary national launch facility.
• Kulasekharapatnam SSLV Complex: For small satellite launches.
• Hope Island Spaceport: For private and commercial launches.

SPORTS

3. SAINA NEHWAL RETIRES FROM COMPETITIVE BADMINTON

Current Context: Indian badminton star Saina Nehwal has announced her retirement due to chronic knee injuries.

MAJOR ACHIEVEMENTS

• Bronze medal at 2012 London Olympics (first Indian woman in badminton).
• World No.1 ranking in 2015.
• Winner of Indonesia Open Super Series (2009).

OTHER CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

• Silver medal – BWF World Championships 2015.
• Bronze medal – BWF World Championships 2017.
• Gold medal – Commonwealth Games 2018.

AWARDS AND LEGACY

• Padma Bhushan, Padma Shri, Khel Ratna, Arjuna Award.
• Inspired a generation of Indian badminton players, especially women.

SCHEME

4.  SUKANYA SAMRIDDHI YOJANA (SSY)

Current Context: The Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana (SSY) has completed 11 years since its launch under the Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao campaign.

ABOUT SUKANYA SAMRIDDHI YOJANA

• Launched On: 22 January 2015
• Campaign: Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao
• Objective: Promote welfare of the girl child and create a long-term savings corpus for education and future needs.

ELIGIBILITY

• Girl child below 10 years of age.
• Only one SSY account per girl child.
• Maximum two accounts allowed per family.

DEPOSIT DETAILS

• Minimum Annual Deposit: ₹250
• Maximum Annual Deposit: ₹1.5 lakh
• Deposit Period: 15 years
• ACCOUNT OPERATION : Account operated by guardian till the girl attains 18 years of age.

MATURITY AND WITHDRAWAL

• Maturity Period: 21 years from account opening.
• Partial Withdrawal: Up to 50% allowed for education after 18 years.

SCHEME

5. ASSAM LAUNCHES MONTHLY SUPPORT SCHEME FOR RESEARCH SCHOLARS

Current Context: Assam government has announced monthly financial assistance for research scholars under the Atal Vichal Agragami Assam scheme.

ABOUT ATAL VICHAL AGRAGAMI ASSAM SCHEME

• Launch Date: 11 February 2026
• Target Group: Research scholars in Assam

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

• ₹25,000 per month for regular research scholars.
• ₹40,000 per month for Divyang research scholars.
• COVERAGE : Applicable to universities and higher education institutions across Assam.

OBJECTIVES

• Reduce financial constraints for scholars.
• Promote quality and interdisciplinary research.
• Strengthen Assam’s academic and knowledge ecosystem.

SPORTS

6. NATIONAL PARALYMPIC POWERLIFTING CHAMPIONSHIP

Current Context: Uttarakhand hosted the National Paralympic Powerlifting Championship in January 2026, inaugurated by Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami.

ABOUT THE CHAMPIONSHIP

• Nature: National-level sporting event for para-athletes.
• Sport: Paralympic powerlifting.
• Objective: Promote inclusive sports and empower persons with disabilities.
• Aligns with Khelo India vision of inclusive sporting culture.

UTTARAKHAND EMERGING AS SPORTS HUB

• Known as “Khelbhoomi”.
• Host of the 38th National Games.
• Focus on sports infrastructure and athlete development.

AWARDS

7. INDIRA GANDHI PRIZE FOR PEACE, DISARMAMENT AND DEVELOPMENT – 2025

Current Context: The Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development for 2025 has been awarded to Graca Machel, a Mozambican rights humanitarian and activist.

ABOUT INDIRA GANDHI PEACE PRIZE

• Instituted In: 1985
• Administered By: Indira Gandhi Memorial Trust
• Nature: Annual international award

ELIGIBILITY

• Awarded to individuals or organizations.
• No distinction of nationality, race or religion.

AREAS OF RECOGNITION

• Promotion of international peace and disarmament.
• Racial equality and harmony among nations.
• Economic cooperation and new international economic order.
• Use of science and knowledge for human welfare.
• Expansion of freedom and enrichment of the human spirit.

HEALTH

8. BORAX

Current Context: A tragic incident in Tamil Nadu highlighted the dangers of consuming borax  also known as ‘venkaaram’ for weight loss.

ABOUT BORAX

• Chemical Name: Sodium tetraborate decahydrate.
• Chemical Formula: Na₂B₄O₇·10H₂O
• Nature: Powdery white mineral compound of boron, sodium and oxygen.

USES

• Glass and ceramic glazes.
• Metallurgy (flux and solvent).
• Welding and soldering.
• Fertilizer additive and water softener.
• Disinfectant and industrial cleaning.

OCCURRENCE

• Found naturally in evaporite deposits.
• Formed due to repeated evaporation of seasonal lakes.
• Also produced synthetically from boron compounds.

HEALTH HAZARDS

• Toxic if ingested.
• Can cause severe organ damage and death.
• Not approved for consumption or weight loss use.

MISCELLANEOUS

9. BHARAT FUTURE CITY

Current Context: The United Arab Emirates and Telangana have agreed to explore cooperation to develop Bharat Future City during World Economic Forum 2026.

ABOUT BHARAT FUTURE CITY

• Envisioned as India’s first net-zero greenfield smart city.
• Planned as a global urban and economic hub.
• Focus on sustainability, innovation and smart infrastructure.

SIGNIFICANCE

• Strengthens global investment engagement of Telangana.
• Promotes sustainable and future-ready urban development.

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