Prelims Current Affairs includes Indian Army Day, Argentina , Zanskar River, Urban Cooperative Banks (UCBs), India’s First Solar-Powered Atm Van, Rare Samurai Martial Arts Honour and Rajasthan’s First Fully Organic Village

IMPORTANT DAY

1. INDIAN ARMY DAY

Observed every year on 15 January

Aim : to mark the first Indian takeover of the Indian Army’s command.

ABOUT INDIAN ARMY DAY

• Historical Significance: On this day in 1949, Field Marshal K. M. Cariappa became the first Indian Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army.
• Transition of Command: He took over from General Sir Francis Butcher, the last British Commander-in-Chief.

INTERNATIONAL

2. ARGENTINA

Current Context: Raging wildfires in Argentina’s Patagonia region have affected nearly 12,000 hectares of scrubland and forests.

ABOUT ARGENTINA

• Location: Southern part of South America.
• Capital: Buenos Aires.
• Land Borders: Chile, Bolivia, Paraguay, Brazil and Uruguay.
• Maritime Boundaries: South Atlantic Ocean (east) and Drake Passage (south).
• Terrain: Andes Mountains, Pampas plains, Patagonian plateau and Gran Chaco.
• Major Rivers: Paraná, Paraguay and Uruguay.
• Highest Peak: Cerro Aconcagua.
• Natural Resources: Lithium, petroleum, fertile pampas, copper, iron ore.

GEOGRAPHY

3. ZANSKAR RIVER

Current Context: The Chadar Trek on the frozen Zanskar River has been deferred due to inadequate ice formation.

ABOUT ZANSKAR RIVER

• Region: Union Territory of Ladakh.
• River Type: Left-bank tributary of the Indus River.
• Drainage Area: Zanskar Valley of the north-western Himalayas.
• Main Branches:
• Doda River (near Pansi-La Pass).
• Tsarap and Kargyag Rivers (from Baralacha La and Shingo La).
• Confluence: Joins Indus River near Nimmu at ~3,100 metres.

ECONOMY

4. URBAN COOPERATIVE BANKS (UCBs)

Current Context: The Reserve Bank of India has proposed resuming issuance of licenses for Urban Cooperative Banks after nearly two decades.

ABOUT URBAN COOPERATIVE BANKS

• Definition: Primary cooperative banks operating in urban and semi-urban areas.
• First Cooperative Law: Cooperative Credit Societies Act, 1904.
• First UCB: Anyonya Sahakari Mandali, Baroda (1889).

FUNCTIONS

• Housing finance and personal loans.
• MSME credit and deposit services.
• Banking support to small traders and industries.

REGULATION

• Banking Regulation: Regulated by RBI under Banking Regulation Act, 1949.
• Registration & Management: Governed by State Cooperative Acts or Multi-State Cooperative Societies Act, 2002.
• Licensing Powers: RBI under Sections 22 and 23 of Banking Regulation Act.

ECONOMY

5. INDIA’S FIRST SOLAR-POWERED ATM VAN

Current Context: Tripura Gramin Bank launched India’s first fully solar-powered ATM van in January 2026.

ABOUT ‘TGB ON WHEELS’

• Bank: Tripura Gramin Bank.
• Type: Fully solar-powered mobile ATM van.
• Energy Source: 100 percent solar energy.

OBJECTIVES

• Provide uninterrupted banking in remote and rural areas.
• Ensure services during power outages.
• Promote eco-friendly banking and financial inclusion.

BACKGROUND

• Initial Launch: Mobile ATM concept introduced in July 2023.
• Upgradation: Converted to fully solar-powered model in 2026.

AWARD

6. RARE SAMURAI MARTIAL ARTS HONOUR

Current Context: Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan has been inducted into Kenjutsu, a rare Japanese samurai martial art.

ABOUT KENJUTSU

• Origin: Classical Japanese samurai swordsmanship.
• Focus: Discipline, precision, mental balance and ethics.
• Access: Traditionally limited to Japan.

SIGNIFICANCE

• Pawan Kalyan became the first Indian inducted into Kenjutsu.
• Recognition is granted only in exceptional global cases.
• Highlights India’s growing cultural presence globally.

SAMURAI MARTIAL ARTS

• Includes Kenjutsu, Kendo and Budo.
• Emphasises honour, discipline and mastery of mind and body.

STATE IN NEWS

7. RAJASTHAN’S FIRST FULLY ORGANIC VILLAGE

Current Context: Bamanwas Kankar Panchayat has become Rajasthan’s first fully organic village body.

ABOUT BAMANWAS KANKAR PANCHAYAT

• State:
• Coverage: Seven hamlets.
• Status: Fully organic agricultural practices.

KEY FEATURES

• Complete ban on chemical fertilisers and pesticides.
• Use of compost, crop rotation and biological pest control.
• Strong community participation and monitoring.

SIGNIFICANCE

• Promotes sustainable agriculture in arid regions.
• Enhances soil health and long-term productivity.
• Strengthens farmer livelihoods and food safety.

ORGANIC FARMING IN INDIA

• Promoted under Integrated Nutrient Management.
• Certification through PGS-India and NPOP.
• Sikkim is India’s first fully organic state.

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