All 12 Polity & Governance updates published in January 2026, grouped into 4 subtopics. Each one carries the exam-relevant facts and its GK Bytes; open an update for the complete note with static GK.
The Budget Session began on 28 January with President Droupadi Murmu's address to a joint sitting of both Houses; it was scheduled in two phases (28 Jan-13 Feb and 9 Mar-2 Apr) with 30 sittings.
The Budget Session began on 28 January with the President's Address; the first half ran to 13 February, featuring the presentation and general discussion of the Union Budget.
The Ministry of Coal released draft amendments removing area limits on reconnaissance, exploration and mining licences, and codifying central power to auction exploration licences.
The Ministry of Agriculture released the draft Bill for comments; it proposes to replace the Insecticides Act, 1968 and create a Central Pesticides Board and a Registration Committee.
UGC circulated a uniform mental-health policy for higher education institutions (aligned with NEP 2020), requiring support centres, a 1:500 faculty-mentor ratio and linkage with the Tele-MANAS helpline.
UGC notified the 'Promotion of Equity in Higher Education Institutions' (Anti-Discrimination) Regulations, mandating Equity Committees and Equal Opportunity Centres. Amid campus protests, the Supreme Court stayed implementation around 29 January.
The Beating Retreat ceremony, marking the formal conclusion of Republic Day celebrations, was held at Vijay Chowk, New Delhi, on 29 January.
Thirty tableaux rolled down Kartavya Path - 17 from States/UTs and 13 from Ministries/Departments/Services - with highlights from Assam (terracotta), Kerala (Water Metro), Odisha ('Soil to Silicon') and Nagaland (Hornbill Festival).
The parade centred on 'Svatantrata Ka Mantra - Vande Mataram' (marking 150 years of the national song, composed by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay in 1875) and 'Samriddhi Ka Mantra - Aatmanirbhar Bharat'.
For the first time, two EU leaders were joint chief guests at the 77th Republic Day - European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa - who visited India (25-27 January) to co-chair the 16th India-EU Summit.
The Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports notified the National Sports Governance (National Sports Bodies) Rules, 2026 under the National Sports Governance Act, 2025, covering eligibility, disqualification and 'Sportspersons of Outstanding Merit' appointments.
PM Modi marked a decade of the Startup India initiative (launched 16 Jan 2016) at Bharat Mandapam; DPIIT-recognised startups grew to over 2.09 lakh by December 2025, creating over 21 lakh jobs.