• 19 Jan 2026

2nd Rangewide Dolphin Estimation launched from Bijnor

Why in News? 

The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has launched the Second Rangewide Estimation of Riverine and Estuarine Dolphins, flagged off from Bijnor in Uttar Pradesh.. 

Key Points 

• Purpose: To generate updated scientific data on population, distribution, habitat status, and threats of riverine and estuarine dolphins for evidence-based conservation planning. 
• Project Dolphin Initiative: The survey is conducted under Project Dolphin, launched in 2020. 
• Implementing Agency: The estimation is coordinated by the Wildlife Institute of India (WII), Dehradun, in collaboration with State Forest Departments. 
• Geographical Coverage: Phase-I covers the main stem of the Ganga from Bijnor to Ganga Sagar and the Indus River. 
  • Phase-II includes the Brahmaputra, Ganga tributaries, Sundarbans delta, and Odisha coast. 
• Species Covered: The survey includes Ganges River Dolphin, Indus River Dolphin, and Irrawaddy Dolphin. 
• Previous Estimation Data: The first nationwide dolphin estimation (2021–23) recorded 6,327 riverine dolphins, with Uttar Pradesh and Bihar reporting the highest populations. 
• Conservation Significance: The estimation will support river ecosystem conservation, pollution control, and sustainable river management policies aligned with biodiversity commitments. 

Read More: Project Dolphin, Sundarbans, Gangetic Dolphins, River System 

Odisha to Become First State to Plan Chronic Kidney Disease Registry

Why in News? 

Odisha is set to become the first state in India to plan a Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) registry for systematic data collection and analysis. 

Key Points 

• Timeline: Rolled out by March 31, 2026. 
• Objective: The registry will collect and analyse data on prevalence, causes, and progression of Chronic Kidney Disease. 
• State Task Force: A 12‑member task force headed by the Chief Secretary. 
  • A 17‑member technical team including experts from AIIMS, ICMR, pollution control, geology, drinking water, and Panchayati Raj has also been formed for this project. 
• Public health focus: CKD is a major non-communicable disease, and the registry will support early diagnosis and policy-based intervention. 
• Data-driven healthcare planning: Registry data will aid in resource allocation, treatment planning, and preventive strategies. 
  • Identification of hotspots: The state plans block-level surveys to locate CKD-affected regions for targeted healthcare action. 
  • Patient monitoring: The registry will track demographics, comorbidities, and treatment outcomes of CKD patients. 
  • Trend analysis: Data will help identify high-risk populations and progression patterns for effective intervention. 
• Infrastructure planning: Insights from the registry will guide the establishment of dialysis centers and kidney care facilities. 
• Awareness campaigns: Block-level data will enable targeted awareness and preventive programs in high-prevalence areas. 

CKD (Chronic Kidney Disease): 

• Definition: CKD is a progressive loss of kidney function over time, impairing the organ’s ability to filter waste, balance fluids, and maintain electrolytes. 
• Causes: Common causes include diabetes, high blood pressure, glomerulonephritis, and prolonged kidney infections. 
• Symptoms: Early CKD often has no symptoms; later stages may cause fatigue, swelling, nausea, and decreased urine output. 

Kabaddi Champions League Trophy Tour Begins from Haryana

Why in News? 

The Kabaddi Champions League (KCL) has launched its first‑ever Trophy Tour, beginning from Rindhana in Haryana 

Key Points 

• Trophy Tour launch date: The Trophy Tour began on January 16, 2026, from Rindhana in Haryana. 
  •  The tour will visit Panipat, Karnal, Hisar, Bhiwani, Rohtak, Gurugram, Faridabad, and end in Sonipat. 
• Purpose: The tour aims to take the symbol of the league’s pride and passion directly to fans and communities across Haryana, recognising the state’s deep connection with kabaddi. 
• Inaugural league: The inaugural season of the Kabaddi Champions League will be held from January 25 to February 7, 2026 at the Sports University of Haryana, Rai (Sonipat). 
  • Format: It features eight franchises. 
• Cultural importance: Haryana is a major kabaddi heartland, known for producing talented players and a strong grassroots culture of the sport.

North East Regional IndiaSkills Inaugurated in Assam

Why in News? 

The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship organised the North East Regional IndiaSkills Competition 2025–26 in Assam. 

Key Points 

• Venue: The competition was held in January 2026 at Gauhati University, Assam. 
• Inauguration: The event was inaugurated by Jayant Chaudhary, Minister of State for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship. 
• First regional event: This was the first IndiaSkills Regional Competition conducted exclusively for the North Eastern Region of India. 
• Implementing agency: The National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) served as the knowledge partner and implementing agency for IndiaSkills Competition 2025–26. 
• Skill categories: Competitors participated across 26 different skill categories. 
• Objective: The competition aimed to identify, nurture, and benchmark India’s best vocational talent, creating pathways from grassroots to national and international platforms. 

Read More: National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) 

Kerala Leads Personal Electric Vehicle Adoption in 2025

Why in News? 

Kerala has emerged as a leading state in India for personal electric vehicle (EV) adoption in 2025. 

Key Points 

• Kerala’s EV leadership: Kerala recorded one of the highest personal EV adoption rates in India in 2025. 
• Personal EVs lead adoption: Around 93.4% of EVs in Kerala were personal vehicles (two‑ and four‑wheelers), indicating strong consumer demand. 
  • Vehicle Registration Surge: Kerala saw a 12.8 % increase in total vehicle registrations in 2025.  
  • EV Sales Numbers: Around 80,261 EVs were sold in Kerala in 2025. 
• Charging infrastructure: Kerala has widespread EV charging infrastructure, including public and private stations. 
• Policy timeline: Kerala’s EV policy (2019) laid the foundation for early adoption, charging network, and incentives.  
  • Government support: State subsidies, tax benefits, and reduced registration fees encouraged consumers to adopt EVs. 

Read More: Electric vehicle (EV) 

PM-SETU Industry Workshop in Pune

Why in News? 

The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) organised a major industry consultation workshop under PM-SETU in Pune, Maharashtra. 

Key Points 

• Purpose: The workshop aimed to mobilise industry participation and build awareness about the industry-led implementation framework of the PM-SETU initiative. 
• Scheme: PM-SETU (Pradhan Mantri Skilling and Employability Transformation through Upgraded ITIs). 
  • It is a flagship initiative aimed at modernising government ITIs through a hub-and-spoke model to make India’s workforce future ready and globally competitive. 
• PM-SETU Focus: It aims to modernise 1,000 government ITIs using a hub-and-spoke model for skill training. 
  • Implementation Approach: The scheme envisions 200 hub ITIs with advanced infrastructure and 800 spoke ITIs extending training reach across districts. 
• Significance: The workshop emphasised industry-led implementation to align skills with real-world labour market needs.