NATIONAL UPDATES:
1. Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) completing 25
years in 2025: Pradhan Mantri Gram
Sadak Yojana (PMGSY), launched on 25 December 2000, completed 25
years in 2025, emerging as one of India’s most impactful schemes for
all-weather rural road connectivity and inclusive development.Since its
inception, 8.25 lakh km of rural roads have been sanctioned, of which about
7.88 lakh km (≈95%) have been completed as of December 2025, significantly
integrating rural areas with markets and services.The scheme
is implemented by the Ministry of Rural Development in coordination with
State Governments and Union Territories.
2. PMGSY is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme with funding
60:40 for general states, 90:10 for North-Eastern
states, Himalayan states, J and K and UTs with legislatures and 100% central
funding for UTs without legislatures The scheme evolved through multiple
phases—PMGSY-I (universal access), PMGSY-II (road upgradation), RCPLWEA (LWE
areas), PMGSY-III (strategic rural links), and PMGSY-IV (2024-29) targeting
last-mile connectivity. PMGSY-IV aims to connect 25,000 unconnected habitations
with 62,500 km of roads, with a total outlay of ₹70,125 crore, focusing on
tribal areas, aspirational districts, and remote regions.
3. Ministry of Civil Aviation Grants NOCs to Three New
Airlines: The Ministry of Civil
Aviation has granted No Objection Certificates (NOCs) to three
new airlines—Shankh Air, Al Hind Air, and FlyExpress to enter the Indian
aviation market.These approvals mark a significant move to boost competition
and diversify India’s domestic airline sector, which has long been dominated by
a few major carriers.Shankh Air has already received its NOC and is preparing
to commence commercial operations in early 2026, with plans to connect regional
and underserved routes.Al Hind Air and FlyExpress recently secured their NOCs
and are also targeting operational launches in 2026, aiming to enhance
connectivity and offer more choices to flyers.
4. PDUNASS and IC Centre for Governance Partner to Embed
Ethical Leadership in EPFO Administration: The Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya National
Academy of Social Security (PDUNASS), the apex training institute of EPFO,
signed an MoU with the IC Centre for Governance (ICCfG) in New
Delhi to embed ethical leadership in social security administration.The
partnership aims to integrate moral integrity, ethical leadership, and technical
expertise among EPFO officers amid ongoing digital and Ease of Living
reforms.The collaboration supports Mission Karmayogi, shifting from rule-based
compliance to role-based ethical competence, with emphasis on transparency,
accountability, and empathy.A tiered annual training framework has been
introduced, including residential leadership programs for Group ‘A’ officers at
ICCfG and citizen-centric conduct training for Group ‘B’ officers at PDUNASS.
5. Government Appoints Three Senior Advocates as
Additional Solicitors General for Supreme Court: The Central Government has
appointed three Senior Advocates as Additional Solicitors General (ASGs)
to represent the Union of India before the Supreme Court of India.The
appointees are Devinder Pal Singh, Kanakamedala Ravindra Kumar, and Anil
Kaushik, all seasoned legal professionals with extensive litigation
experience.The appointments were approved by the Appointments Committee of the
Cabinet, and are typically for a three-year tenure or until further notice. Kanakamedala
Ravindra Kumar notably brings both parliamentary experience as a former Rajya
Sabha member (2018–2024) and legal expertise to his role as ASG
6. Indian Railways Completes 180 kmph Trial of Vande Bharat
Sleeper: Indian
Railways has achieved a major milestone in indigenous rail innovation with the
successful completion of the final high-speed trial of the Vande Bharat Sleeper
Train. Conducted under the supervision of the Commissioner of Railway Safety,
the trial marks a significant step towards introducing next-generation sleeper
services on India’s rail network. The final trial was carried out on the
Kota–Nagda section, where the indigenously designed and manufactured Vande
Bharat Sleeper Train attained a top speed of 180 kmph. Comprehensive technical
evaluations were undertaken, including ride stability, oscillation and
vibration behaviour, braking and emergency braking performance, and validation
of onboard safety systems. The Commissioner of Railway Safety declared the
trial fully satisfactory. Union Minister for Railways, Information &
Broadcasting, and Electronics & Information Technology “Ashwini Vaishnaw”
shared visuals of the successful trial. A notable highlight was the water-glass
stability demonstration, in which glasses filled with water remained steady
without spillage even at high speed, underscoring the superior suspension, ride
comfort, and technological robustness of the train.
INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:
1. Hurun India Rich List 2025: Jayshree Ullal Emerges as
Wealthiest Indian-Origin Tech Executive: Indian-origin billionaire Jayshree Ullal, CEO and
President of Arista Networks, topped the list of wealthiest tech
executives of Indian origin, surpassing Sundar Pichai and Satya Nadella.A
British-born Indian-origin leader, Ullal has been heading Arista Networks since
2008; earlier, she worked with Cisco Systems, AMD, and Fairchild Semiconductor,
and is based in Santa Clara, California.She studied at Convent of Jesus &
Mary, New Delhi, earned engineering degrees from San Francisco State University
and Santa Clara University, and received an Honorary Doctorate in Engineering
in 2025.With a net worth of $5.7 billion, Ullal ranks 713th globally; Arista
Networks reported $7 billion revenue in 2024, with her wealth rising steadily
amid the AI and software boom.
2. Bangladesh’s First Female Prime Minister Khaleda Zia
Dies at 80: Khaleda Zia,
Bangladesh’s first female Prime Minister and a key figure in the country’s
politics, passed away at the age of 80 after a prolonged illness, as
confirmed by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP).She served as Prime
Minister twice—first after winning the 1991 election and again during
2001–2006, with long-standing political rivalry against Sheikh Hasina shaping
Bangladesh’s political landscape.Her death comes ahead of the February
parliamentary elections, where the BNP is seen as the frontrunner; her son and
party’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman recently returned from 17 years in
self-exile and is considered a strong prime ministerial contender.
3. H-1B
Under Fire: How Trump’s Second Term Recast High-Skilled Immigration as a
Political Threat: When “Donald
Trump” won the 2024 U.S. presidential election promising a crackdown on illegal
immigration, few expected that one of the most intense battles of his second
term would be waged not at the southern border, but against America’s flagship
high-skilled visa programme. Nearly a year into his presidency, the H-1B visa —
long projected as a technocratic tool to attract global talent — has been
recast as a symbol of economic betrayal, corporate excess and cultural threat,
with Indian immigrants increasingly caught in the crossfire. For decades, the H-1B programme occupied a narrow
policy space. It was debated in terms of labour shortages, wage protections and
America’s need to remain globally competitive in science, technology and
innovation. While controversial, it was rarely central to mass politics.That
framing has now collapsed. Over the past year, the programme has been
reimagined in public discourse as a mechanism that displaces native-born
workers and advantages foreign professionals at the expense of American
livelihoods. This shift did not emerge overnight; it has been driven by
sustained political messaging, populist rhetoric and a deliberate effort to tie
economic insecurity to high-skilled immigration.
4. America
First, World Disrupted: How Trump’s 2025 Trade
Turn Reshaped Global Economics — and Pushed India and China Closer: The year 2025 is likely to
be remembered as a structural break in the post-war global order. From the day
he returned to the White House, U.S. President “Donald Trump” embarked on a series of decisions that
dismantled pillars of multilateral cooperation built over eight decades. By
withdrawing the United
States from the Paris Climate Agreement and
the World
Health Organization, Washington effectively
undercut prospects for coordinated global responses to climate change and
health emergencies. But it was Trump’s third move — the adoption of the America
First Trade Policy — that sent shockwaves through global economics and
geopolitics, altering alliances and accelerating the fragmentation of the world
trading system. Unveiled as a “foundation” to restore American economic and
national security dominance, the America First Trade Policy framed trade as an
extension of state power. Unlike previous administrations that balanced
protection with multilateral engagement, Trump’s approach rested almost
entirely on tariffs — famously described by him as “the most beautiful word in
the dictionary”. In April, the U.S. announced steep “reciprocal tariffs” on 57
countries, with implementation deferred by three months. The expectation was
clear: targeted countries, heavily dependent on access to the American market,
would rush to negotiate concessions. While short-term uncertainty raised the
cost of doing business globally, the deeper impact was structural, striking at
the heart of global value chains that had underpinned international production
and trade for three decades.
OTHER UPDATES:
DEFENCE
1. DRDO
Conducts Successful Salvo Launch of Pralay Missiles : India strengthened its tactical missile
capabilities as the Defence Research and Development Organisation successfully
carried out a salvo launch of two indigenously developed Pralay missiles off
the coast of Odisha. The test, conducted on December 31,
2025, marked a key milestone in user evaluation trials and demonstrated the
system’s reliability under operational conditions. The salvo launch was
executed around 10:30 am from the Integrated Test Range at Chandipur in Odisha.
According to “Defence Research and Development Organisation”, both missiles
were fired in quick succession from the same launcher. They followed their
intended trajectories precisely and met all predefined flight objectives,
validating the missile’s performance parameters. Pralay is an indigenously
developed solid-propellant quasi-ballistic missile designed for high-precision
strikes. It features advanced guidance and navigation systems, enabling
accurate targeting of a wide range of objectives. Capable of carrying different
types of warheads, the missile forms an important component of India’s evolving
conventional deterrence architecture and enhances flexibility for the armed
forces.
2. Why
DRDO’s Successful 120-km Pinaka Rocket Test Is a Big Leap for India’s Artillery
Power: India has taken a
significant step in strengthening its long-range precision strike capability
with the successful maiden flight test
of the 120-km Pinaka Long Range Guided Rocket (LRGR). Conducted at Chandipur
in Odisha, the test showcased not just extended range, but
also high accuracy and manoeuvrability—features that modern battlefields
increasingly demand. On December 30, the Defence Research and Development
Organisation (Defence Research and Development Organisation) successfully
conducted the maiden flight trial of the Pinaka LRGR-120 at the Integrated Test
Range, Chandipur. Fired from an in-service Pinaka launcher, the rocket struck
its intended target at a maximum range of 120 km with what officials described
as “textbook precision”.Crucially, the trial validated all planned
in-flight manoeuvres. Multiple tracking instruments followed the rocket
throughout its trajectory, confirming guidance, navigation and control systems
under realistic operational conditions .The Pinaka system began as an unguided
multi-barrel rocket launcher designed for area saturation. Over time, it has
evolved into a precision-guided artillery platform. The LRGR-120 represents the
longest-range guided version tested so far, building upon earlier 60-km and
90-km guided variants.Unlike traditional rockets that rely on ballistic
trajectories, the LRGR incorporates guidance kits that allow mid-course
correction. This dramatically improves accuracy, reduces ammunition
expenditure, and enables engagement of high-value targets deep inside enemy
territory.
SPORTS
1. Ayush Mhatre Named India U19 Captain for ICC Men’s
World Cup 2026: Ayush Mhatre has
been named captain of India’s squad for the ICC Men’s Under-19 World Cup
2026, scheduled in Zimbabwe and Namibia from January 15 to February
6.Mhatre and vice-captain Vihaan Malhotra will miss the pre-tournament South
Africa tour (Jan 3–7) due to wrist injuries, with Vaibhav Sooryavanshi leading
the side in their absence.The India U19 World Cup squad features five-time
champions India in Group A alongside New Zealand, USA, and Bangladesh, with the
team opening against the USA on January 15 at Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo.
2. Surya Charishma Tamiri Clinches Women’s Singles Title
at 87th Senior National Badminton Championships: Surya Charishma Tamiri won the Women’s
Singles title at the 87th Senior National Badminton Championships in
Vijayawada, staging a comeback to defeat Tanvi Patri 17-21, 21-12,
21-14.Rithvik Sanjeevi S clinched the Men’s Singles title defeating Bharat
Raghav 21-16, 22-20, while A. Hariharan and Ruban Kumar won the Men’s Doubles
24-22, 21-17.Former champions Shikha Gautam and Ashwini Bhat K reclaimed the
Women’s Doubles title, and Sathwik Reddy K and Radhika Sharma won the Mixed
Doubles championship with a 21-9, 21-15 victory.
3. Magnus Carlsen and Aleksandra Goryachkina Clinch World
Rapid Chess Championship: Magnus
Carlsen and Aleksandra Goryachkina won the World Rapid Chess
Championship, with Carlsen taking the open section and Goryachkina
triumphing in the women’s section after tie-breaks.India’s Arjun Erigaisi and
Koneru Humpy won bronze in the open and women’s sections, respectively, while
other Indian players like B. Savitha Shri (4th), R. Vaishali (5th), and Divya
Deshmukh (8th) also performed strongly.In the open event, Carlsen scored 10.5
points, Vladislav Artemiev was second, and Arjun Erigaisi scored 9.5 points for
third place, while other Indian players like Aravindh Chithambaram (16th),
Nihal Sarin (19th), and R. Praggnanandhaa (28th) also participated.
4. Bhutan’s Sonam Yeshey Creates History with Record
8-Wicket Haul in Men’s T20 International: Bhutan spinner Sonam Yeshey created history
by becoming the first bowler to take an eight-wicket haul in a men’s T20
International, setting a new world record.The 22-year-old left-arm spinner
achieved the feat during the third T20I against Myanmar at Gelephu Mindfulness
City, Bhutan, on December 26.Sonam Yeshey returned sensational figures of 8
wickets for just 7 runs, bowling Myanmar out for 45 while defending Bhutan’s
total of 127/9.Earlier, the best bowling figures in T20Is were 7/8 by
Malaysia’s Syazrul Idrus (2023), while only a few bowlers, including Ali
Dawood, Colin Ackermann and Taskin Ahmed, have taken seven wickets in T20
matches.
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
1. Param Rudra Supercomputer Launched at IIT-Patna: IIT-Patna inaugurated the PARAM Rudra
supercomputer, marking Bihar’s first high-performance computing
facility installed under the National Supercomputing Mission (NSM).The
launch ceremony was presided over by Amitesh Kumar Sinha, Additional Secretary,
Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), highlighting the
government’s push for advanced research infrastructure.PARAM Rudra is an
indigenously developed supercomputer, operating at high computational capacity
and designed to support cutting-edge research across disciplines including AI,
data science, quantum computing, material design, and fluid mechanics.Under the
National Supercomputing Mission, 37 supercomputers have already been
deployed across India with a combined capacity of 39 petaFLOPS, supporting over
12,000 researchers.
2. Scientists
Turn Drug-Resistant Cancer Mutations into Treatment Target: An international team of
researchers has unveiled a promising new strategy to combat cancers that stop
responding to conventional therapies. Led by Israel’s “Weizmann Institute of
Science”, the study shows how mutations that make tumours drug-resistant can be
repurposed as a therapeutic advantage, potentially opening a new front in
cancer immunotherapy. One of the most persistent problems in cancer care arises
when initially effective drugs lose their impact. In many metastatic cancers,
tumour cells mutate over time, enabling them to evade targeted therapies and
continue growing. This phenomenon of acquired drug resistance is a major reason
why long-term cancer control remains elusive, even with advanced treatments.
The study, published in “Cancer Discovery”, introduces a computational tool
named SpotNeoMet. This tool identifies therapy-resistant mutations that recur
across many patients. These mutations produce small protein fragments, known as
neo-antigens, which appear only on cancer cells. Because these neo-antigens are
shared among multiple patients, they present an opportunity for developing
broadly applicable immunotherapies rather than highly individualised
treatments.
BANKING AND FINANCE
1. IRDAI Imposes ₹1 Crore Penalty on Reliance General Insurance
for Regulatory Violations: The Insurance
Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) has imposed a ₹1
crore penalty on Reliance General Insurance Company for violations related
to outsourcing norms, commission payments, and corporate governance
guidelines.One major violation involved engaging an individual agent of another
insurer for advertising and publishing services, which breached regulatory
norms governing insurer–agent relationships.
2. Aryaman Finance (India) Ltd Gets RBI Nod to Operate as Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC): Aryaman Finance (India) Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of Aryaman Financial Services Ltd (AFSL), has received a Certificate of Registration (CoR) from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to commence operations as a Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC).AFSL is a Mumbai-based SEBI-registered Category-I merchant banker, engaged in activities such as lead management, syndication of IPOs/FPOs/Rights Issues/QIPs, PIPE deals, VC funding, and other fund-raising activities.The CoR allows the WOS to operate as a Type II NBFC (Non-Deposit taking – Investment and Credit Company), enabling it to provide credit and investment services without accepting public deposits.
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