Current Affairs 28 January 2026

Neolithic relics discovered at Lakkundi, Karnataka

Recent excavations at Lakkundi village in Gadag district, Karnataka, have unearthed relics dating back to the Neolithic period, strengthening the State’s proposal to include Lakkundi in the UNESCO World Heritage Sites list. The excavation began on January 16, 2026, at the premises of the Kote Veerabhadreshwar temple.

Historically known as Lokkigundi, Lakkundi was once called the “village of a hundred wells and temples” and flourished during the 11th–12th centuries under the Kalyana Chalukyas. It was also the Karmabhoomi of Queen Attimabbe, a Jain philanthropist renowned for building temples, basadis, and wells.

Key highlights:

• Over 1,050 historical relics collected from village households.
• 13 inscriptions identified and preserved.
• 7 ASI-protected monuments and 16 State-protected temple structures (with more proposed).
• The Karnataka Government, with INTACH, is preparing a proposal to place Lakkundi and nearby monuments on UNESCO’s tentative list.

Gallantry & Service Awards – Republic Day 2026

On the eve of Republic Day 2026, President Droupadi Murmu approved the conferment of Gallantry and Distinguished Service Awards to personnel of the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force for exceptional courage in operations and sustained distinguished service.

A major highlight this year is Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla (Indian Air Force) being awarded the Ashok Chakra, India’s highest peacetime gallantry award, for his historic space mission to the International Space Station (ISS) in June 2025.

These awards also recognise contributions in major operations such as Operation Rakshak, Meghdoot, Snow Leopard, Orchid, and Hifazat, along with rescue and evacuation missions.

Veteran Journalist Mark Tully Passes Away

Veteran journalist, author, and former BBC India bureau chief Mark Tully passed away in New Delhi at the age of 90. He served as the Chief of Bureau of the BBC in India for 22 years, becoming one of the most trusted foreign voices interpreting India for the world.

Mark Tully reported on some of the most defining moments of modern Indian history, including the 1965 India–Pakistan War, 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War, Emergency of 1975, and the Punjab insurgency.

India Energy Week 2026

• The event was held in Goa with participation from representatives of nearly 125 countries, highlighting India’s growing global role in the energy sector.
• India Energy Week has emerged as a global platform for dialogue and action on energy security and sustainability.
• India is currently among the top five exporters of petroleum products, exporting to over 150 countries.
• The Prime Minister highlighted a major India–EU Free Trade Agreement, calling it the “mother of all deals”, covering nearly 25% of global GDP and one-third of global trade.
• India aims to raise oil and gas investments to $100 billion by the end of the decade and expand exploration to 1 million sq. km under the Samudra Manthan Mission.
• India currently ranks second globally in refining capacity (about 260 MMT per annum) and aims to become number one, crossing 300 MMT soon.
• Indian Oil Corporation Limited became the first Indian company to receive International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC) Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) certification for SAF production at its Panipat Refinery.

International Data Privacy Day 2026

• International Data Privacy Day is observed every year on 28 January to raise awareness about protection of personal data and privacy in the digital age.
• It was designated in 2006 by the Council of Europe to commemorate the signing of Convention 108, the world’s first legally binding international treaty on data protection.
• India is the world’s 3rd-largest digitalised economy, with digital platforms deeply embedded in governance, finance, healthcare, and citizen services.
• Key Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) platforms include Aadhaar, UPI, MyGov, eSanjeevani, and paperless governance systems.
• India’s data protection framework is anchored in:
  • Information Technology Act, 2000
  • IT (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021
  • Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act, 2023
  • Digital Personal Data Protection Rules, 2025

Disclaimer: This article is prepared for competitive exam preparation using publicly available information.