Prelims Current Affairs includes National Girl Child Day, International Day of Education, National Voters Day, National Tourism Day, Himachal Pradesh Statehood Day, Republic Day, International Customs Day, Agarwood Value Chain Development Scheme, Granth Kutir

IMPORTANT DAY

1. NATIONAL GIRL CHILD DAY

Observed every year on 24 January

Aim :  to highlight challenges faced by girls in India and promote their rights and welfare.

• Purpose: Promote awareness about gender inequality and discrimination
• Focus Areas: Education, nutrition, health care, legal rights, and safety of girl children

IMPORTANT DAY

2. INTERNATIONAL DAY OF EDUCATION

Observed annually on 24 January

• Objective: Promote access to inclusive, equitable, and quality education
• Focus: Transformative education actions at global level
• Theme : The power of youth in co-creating education.

IMPORTANT DAY

3. NATIONAL VOTERS DAY

Celebrated on 25 January

• Aim : to encourage youth participation in the democratic process.
• Theme : “My India, My Vote”.
• Also Known As: Rashtriya Matdata Diwas
• First Celebrated: 2011
• Significance: Marks the Foundation Day of the Election Commission of India

IMPORTANT DAY

4.  NATIONAL TOURISM DAY

Observed annually on 25 January.

• Aim : to raise awareness about tourism’s contribution to the nation’s economy and social fabric.
• Established on January 25, 1982

IMPORTANT DAY

5. HIMACHAL PRADESH STATEHOOD DAY

Current Context: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 25 January 2026 extended greetings to the people of Himachal Pradesh on Statehood Day, acknowledging the State’s journey of cultural richness, resilience, and development.

ABOUT HIMACHAL PRADESH STATEHOOD DAY

• Observed On: 25 January
• Significance: Marks the day Himachal Pradesh attained full statehood
• Year of Statehood: 1971
• Status: 18th State of the Indian Union

HISTORICAL EVOLUTION OF HIMACHAL PRADESH

• Initial Integration (1948): Over 30 princely states including Chamba, Mandi, and Sirmaur were merged in April 1948.
• This consolidation is commemorated annually as Himachal Day (15 April)
• Chief Commissioner’s Province: Formed on 15 April 1948
• Part C State: Became a Part C State on 26 January 1950 after implementation of the Constitution. Part C States included former Chief Commissioner’s provinces and some princely states
• Union Territory Phase: Became a Union Territory on 1 November 1956 after the State Reorganisation Commission’s recommendation
• Territorial Expansion: Kangra and other hill areas of Punjab merged with Himachal Pradesh on 1 November 1966.
• Statehood Act:
• The State of Himachal Pradesh Act, 1970 was passed on 18 December 1970
• Full statehood granted on 25 January 1971.

IMPORTANT DAY

6. REPUBLIC DAY

Current Context: India celebrates Republic Day on 26 January every year to commemorate the adoption and enforcement of the Constitution of India, marking the country’s transformation into a sovereign democratic republic.

ABOUT REPUBLIC DAY

• Constitution Adopted: 26 November 1949
• Came into Effect: 26 January 1950
• Replaced: Government of India Act, 1935
• Significance: Establishment of India as a sovereign, democratic republic
• Celebrations: Grand Republic Day Parade at Rajpath (Kartavya Path), New Delhi

REPUBLIC DAY 2026 – THEME

• OVERALL NATIONAL VISION
• Viksit Bharat (Developed India)
• Bharat – Loktantra ki Matruka (India – The Mother of Democracy)

REPUBLIC DAY 2026 – CHIEF GUESTS

• Ursula von der Leyen: President, European Commission
• António Costa: President, European Council

THEME OF REPUBLIC DAY 2026 TABLEAUX

TWO CORE THEMES

• Swatantrata ka Mantra: Vande Mataram
• Marks 150 years of the national song “Vande Mataram”
• Symbolises India’s freedom struggle and emotional unity
• Samriddhi ka Mantra: Aatmanirbhar Bharat
• Highlights progress through self-reliance
• Focus on education, infrastructure, digital governance, defence, culture
• Together, these themes blend history, patriotism, development and diversity into a unified national narrative.

STATE & UNION TERRITORY TABLEAUX (17)

REGIONAL DIVERSITY AND DEVELOPMENT

• Assam: Asharikandi – Terracotta Craft Village
• Chhattisgarh: The Mantra of Freedom – Vande Mataram
• Gujarat: Swadeshi & Self-Reliance inspired by Freedom Movement
• Himachal Pradesh: Dev Bhoomi, Veer Bhoomi
• Jammu & Kashmir: Handicrafts and Folk Dances
• Kerala: Water Metro & 100% Digital Literacy
• Maharashtra: Ganeshotsav – Symbol of Aatmanirbharta
• Manipur: From Agricultural Fields to International Markets
• Nagaland: Hornbill Festival – Culture, Tourism & Self-Reliance
• Odisha: Soil to Silicon – Tradition with Innovation
• Puducherry: Craft Heritage and Auroville’s Vision
• Rajasthan: Bikaner Gold Art – Usta Art
• Tamil Nadu: Mantra of Prosperity – Self-Reliant India
• Uttar Pradesh: Culture of Bundelkhand
• West Bengal: Role in India’s Freedom Movement
• Madhya Pradesh: Punyashlok Lokmata Devi Ahilyabai Holkar
• Punjab: 350th Martyrdom Year of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji

IMPORTANT DAY

7. INTERNATIONAL CUSTOMS DAY

Observed on 26 January

• Aim : to recognise the role of customs organisations globally.
• Focus: Border security, trade facilitation, and enforcement challenges
• Organised By: World Customs Organisation

SCHEME

8. AGARWOOD VALUE CHAIN DEVELOPMENT SCHEME

Current Context: The Union Minister for Development of North Eastern Region laid the foundation stone for the ₹80 crore Agarwood Value Chain Development Scheme.

ABOUT AGARWOOD

• Botanical Name: Aquilaria malaccensis
• Family: Thymelaeaceae
• Other Names: Oud, Gaharu, Agar
• Status: World’s most valuable incense wood

RESIN FORMATION

• Resin is produced as a defence mechanism
• Triggered by infection from mold species Phaeoacremonium (Phialophora parasitica)

DISTRIBUTION

• South Asia Himalayan foothills, Southeast Asia, Papua New Guinea rainforests.
• India: Assam, Tripura, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Mizoram, Manipur
• USES : Incense and religious use, Medicinal purposes, Essential oil and perfume industry

POLICY AND PROGRAMME

9. GRANTH KUTIR

Current Context: The President of India inaugurated Granth Kutir at Rashtrapati Bhavan.

• ABOUT GRANTH KUTIR
• Location: Rashtrapati Bhavan
• Nature: Manuscripts and classical literature repository
• LANGUAGES COVERED : Tamil, Sanskrit, Kannada, Telugu, Malayalam, Odia, Marathi, Pali, Prakrit, Assamese, Bengali.

COLLECTION

• Around 2,300 books
• Covers epics, philosophy, linguistics, history, governance, science
• Includes the Constitution of India in classical languages
• OBJECTIVE : Promote awareness of India’s literary and cultural heritage

COLLABORATION

• Central and State governments
• Universities and research institutions
• Cultural organisations and individual donors

MISSION LINKAGE

• Supports Gyan Bharatam Mission
• Mission focuses on survey, documentation, conservation and digitisation of manuscripts.

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