Prelims Current Affairs includes National Geographic Day, Birth Anniversary of Lala Lajpat Rai, ASC Arjun Humanoid Robot, Gandak River, Subhash Chandra Bose Aapda Prabandhan Puraskar 2026, Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) Scheme &Pm Svanidhi Credit Card

IMPORTANT DAY

1. NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC DAY

Observed on 27 January

• Purpose: Promote geographical knowledge and exploration
• Significance: Celebrates over a century of scientific journalism and research

IMPORTANT DAY                                                                                   

2. BIRTH ANNIVERSARY OF LALA LAJPAT RAI

The birth anniversary of Lala Lajpat Rai is observed on 28 January.

ABOUT LALA LAJPAT RAI

• Born On: 28 January 1865
• Birthplace: Punjab
• Title: Punjab Kesari (Lion of Punjab)
• Contribution: Prominent freedom fighter and nationalist leader
• Institutions Founded: Punjab National Bank
• Death: 17 November 1928 due to injuries
• Named Institution: Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Hisar (Haryana)

SCIENCE AND TECH.

3. ASC ARJUN HUMANOID ROBOT

Current Context: Indian Railways introduced humanoid robot “ASC ARJUN” at Visakhapatnam Railway Station.

ABOUT ASC ARJUN

• Introduced By: Indian Railways
• Developed At: Visakhapatnam
• Technology: Indigenous

OPERATIONAL ROLE

• Works with Railway Protection Force (RPF)
• Assists during heavy passenger movement

KEY FEATURES

• Face Recognition System (FRS)
• AI-based crowd monitoring
• Real-time alerts to RPF control room
• Multilingual announcements (English, Hindi, Telugu)
• Semi-autonomous navigation with obstacle avoidance
• Fire and smoke detection
• 24×7 platform patrolling

PASSENGER INTERACTION

• Performs ‘Namaste’ gesture
• Salutes RPF personnel
• Provides passenger assistance

GEOGRAPHY

4. GANDAK RIVER

Current Context: Gandak River has emerged as the second major river after Chambal with the highest number of gharials.

ABOUT GANDAK RIVER

• Other Names: Narayani, Gandaki
• Type: Left-bank tributary of Ganga
• Mentioned In: Mahabharata
• Originates north of Dhaulagiri Mountain in Tibet (7,620 m)
• Joins Ganga near Patna (Vaishali district)
• LENGTH: Total: 700 km, India: Over 300 km
• Kali Gandaki Gorge – one of the deepest river gorges in the world
• TRIBUTARIES: Daraudi, Seti, Madi, Marsyandi, Budhi Gandaki

PROTECTED AREAS

• Chitwan National Park (Nepal)
• Valmiki Tiger Reserve (India)

ABOUT GHARIAL

• Scientific Name: Gavialis gangeticus
• Type: Freshwater crocodile

DISTRIBUTION

• Earlier: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Myanmar
• Now: Fragmented populations in Nepal and northern India
• INDIA’S GHARIAL RESERVES: Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan
• IUCN: Critically Endangered

AWARDS

5. SUBHASH CHANDRA BOSE AAPDA PRABANDHAN PURASKAR 2026

Current Context: SSDMA (Institutional Category) and Lt Col Seeta Ashok Shelke (Individual Category) selected.

ABOUT THE AWARD

• Nature: Annual disaster management award
• Announced On: 23 January (Netaji’s birth anniversary)

ELIGIBILITY

• Indian individuals and institutions only
• Disaster management related work in India

AWARD DETAILS

• Institution: Certificate + ₹51 lakh
• Individual: Certificate + ₹5 lakh

SCHEME

6. BETI BACHAO BETI PADHAO (BBBP) SCHEME

Current Context: Recently, Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) scheme completed 11 years.

ABOUT BBBP

• Launched: 2015
• Nature: Centrally Sponsored Scheme
• Component: SAMBAL sub-scheme under Mission Shakti

AIM

• Address declining child sex ratio
• Promote education and empowerment of girls

OBJECTIVES

• Prevent gender-based discrimination
• Improve Child Sex Ratio
• Promote girls’ education
• Encourage participation of girls
• Strengthen existing welfare schemes

IMPLEMENTATION

• Ministries of Women & Child Development
• Health & Family Welfare
• Education
• Added partners since 2021-22:
• Skill Development & Entrepreneurship
• Minority Affairs

ECONOMY

7. PM SVANIDHI CREDIT CARD

Current Context: Prime Minister launched PM SVANidhi Credit Card for street vendors.

ABOUT PM SVANIDHI CREDIT CARD

• Card Type: RuPay retail credit card
• Credit Limit: ₹30,000
• Facility: Revolving credit

ELIGIBILITY

• Vendors who repaid 2nd tranche
• Eligible for 3rd tranche loan

PM SVANIDHI SCHEME

• Launched: 2020
• Type: Central Sector Scheme
• Objective: Affordable working capital loans post-COVID

IMPLEMENTATION

• Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs
• Department of Financial Services

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