NATIONAL UPDATES:
1. Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana Completes Nine
Years: Pradhan Mantri Matru
Vandana Yojana (PMMVY), a flagship maternity benefit scheme for
pregnant women and lactating mothers, has completed nine years, having been launched on 1 January 2017.The centrally sponsored scheme aims to
provide financial support to improve health and nutrition, especially for women
from socially and economically disadvantaged sections.Under PMMVY, beneficiaries receive ₹5,000 for the first
child and ₹6,000 for the second girl child, in instalments linked to pregnancy
registration and childbirth.The first instalment of ₹3,000 is provided
on pregnancy registration, while the second instalment of ₹2,000 is given after
childbirth, along with additional incentives under the Janani Suraksha Yojana. As
per the Ministry of Women and Child Development, over 4.5 crore women have been
enrolled, with more than ₹19,000 crore disbursed, supporting nutrition, medical
check-ups, and overall maternal health.
2. Goa to Get Third District Named ‘Kushavati’, Quepem to
Be Headquarters: Goa
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant announced that the state’s proposed third district will be named
‘Kushavati’, after a river flowing through the region, and it will
be developed as an aspirational district.The new district will comprise four
talukas—Dharbandora, Quepem, Sanguem and Canacona (currently in South Goa),
with Quepem town as its headquarters; interim administration will be managed by
South Goa district authorities.Kushavati district will be eligible for ₹15
crore additional central funding under the aspirational district programme,
with special infrastructure focus due to its 27% tribal population.
3. India’s First Vande Bharat Sleeper Train to Run
Between Guwahati and Howrah: India’s first Vande Bharat Sleeper Train will run
between Guwahati (Assam) and
Howrah (West Bengal), connecting the Northeast with eastern India.The sleeper train has been designed by the Integral Coach Factory (ICF)
and manufactured by BEML Ltd,
Bengaluru, marking a key collaboration in railway production.Under the
ICF–BEML collaboration, 10 rakes will be built by March 2026 (the first two
rakes are already ready), after which ICF will manufacture 50 more Vande Bharat
Sleeper Trains.
4. PM Modi Chairs 50th PRAGATI
Meeting, Reviews ₹40,000+ Crore Projects and Pushes Outcome-Oriented Governance: PM Narendra Modi chaired the 50th PRAGATI meeting in New Delhi,
reviewing five major infrastructure projects across Road, Railways, Power,
Water Resources and Coal sectors, spanning five states with a cost of ₹40,000+
crore.The PRAGATI ecosystem has accelerated projects worth over ₹85 lakh crore
in the last decade, resolving about 94% issues (2,958 out of 3,162) across 377
projects reviewed since 2014, significantly reducing delays and cost overruns.
INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:
1. Guinea Coup Leader Mamady Doumbouya Wins Presidential
Election: Mamady Doumbouya, the leader of Guinea’s 2021 military coup, has won the presidential election.Doumbouya
had taken power after overthrowing President Alpha Condé and later promised a
transition towards civilian rule in Guinea.His election victory marks a formal
consolidation of power, raising regional and international focus on democratic
governance and political stability in West Africa.
2. India’s Pharma at a Crossroads: How U.S.
Tariffs Could Reshape the ‘Pharmacy of the World’: India’s pharmaceutical
sector, long celebrated as the “pharmacy of the world”, is facing a defining
stress test. In September 2025, U.S. President “Donald Trump” announced a 100%
tariff on branded and patented pharmaceutical imports, effective October 1,
aimed at boosting domestic manufacturing. While generics have been spared for
now, the move has injected uncertainty into global supply chains — and into an
Indian industry that supplies nearly 40% of U.S. generic medicines and anchors
India’s export-led growth. The tariff targets branded
and patented pharmaceutical imports unless they are manufactured domestically
in the U.S. The stated objective is to revive local manufacturing and reduce
dependence on foreign suppliers. However, for India — whose pharma exports to
the U.S. touched nearly $9 billion in FY25 — the announcement has raised fears
of spillover effects, particularly if the tariff regime expands to generics in
a future escalation.Markets reacted immediately. Shares of major Indian
pharmaceutical companies fell sharply, wiping out significant market
capitalisation, reflecting investor anxiety over U.S. exposure, regulatory
uncertainty, and rising compliance costs.
3. Turkmenistan Legalises Crypto Mining and
Exchanges: Turkmenistan has formally legalised
cryptocurrency mining and exchange operations, marking a significant policy
shift in one of the world’s most tightly controlled economies. The new
legislation, signed on January 1, 2026, brings virtual assets under the
country’s civil law framework and introduces a regulated structure for
crypto-related activities. The law was signed by President Serdar
Berdimuhamedov and establishes official recognition of cryptocurrency mining
and trading. Under the legislation, cryptocurrencies are classified as virtual
assets and are governed by civil law. However, the government has clarified
that digital currencies will not be recognised as legal tender, currency, or
securities, limiting their role strictly to regulated asset transactions. A key
feature of the new law is the creation of a licensing regime for cryptocurrency
exchanges. These exchanges will operate under the supervision of Turkmenistan’s central bank, ensuring state
oversight in line with the country’s controlled financial system. Authorities
have stated that the framework is intended to improve transparency and
regulatory clarity, even as broader internet access and digital freedoms remain
tightly regulated.
OTHER UPDATES:
DEFENCE
1. Defence Contracts Boost Armed Forces
Modernisation: The Ministry of Defence has
signed defence procurement contracts worth ₹4,666 crore, reinforcing India’s
drive towards modernisation and operational readiness. The agreements cover the
induction of Close Quarter Battle (CQB) Carbines for frontline troops and
Heavyweight Torpedoes for submarines, reflecting a dual focus on land and
maritime combat capabilities. Under the first contract, over 4.25 lakh CQB
Carbines, valued at ₹2,770 crore, will be inducted into the Indian Army and the
Indian Navy. The weapons will be supplied by Bharat Forge Ltd and PLR Systems
Pvt Ltd. These indigenously developed carbines are intended to replace ageing small
arms and enhance infantry lethality in close-combat scenarios, including urban
and counter-terrorism operations. The CQB
Carbine features a compact build, high rate of fire, and improved accuracy,
making it suitable for confined-space engagements. Its induction marks a
significant milestone under the Aatmanirbhar
Bharat and Make in India initiatives. The programme also
highlights deeper collaboration between the government and private industry,
with positive spillover effects for employment generation, MSMEs, and the
domestic defence manufacturing ecosystem.
SPORTS
1. Deepti Sharma Becomes Highest Wicket-Taker in Women’s
T20Is: Deepti Sharma became the highest
wicket-taker in women’s T20Is, overtaking Australia’s Megan Schutt by
claiming her 152nd wicket during the final T20I against Sri Lanka in
Thiruvananthapuram.She created history by becoming the first Indian cricketer
(men or women) to take 150 T20I wickets and the first player globally to score
1,000 runs and take 150 wickets in T20Is.India defeated Sri Lanka by 15 runs to
complete a 5–0 series whitewash, with Harmanpreet Kaur’s half-century and
Deepti Sharma’s economical spell contributing to the win.
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
1. New Social Security Rules to Redefine
Benefits for Gig Workers: The Centre has released a draft of new Social Security
Code rules that could significantly reshape welfare coverage for gig and
platform workers across India. Issued under the Labour Codes framework for
public consultation, the proposal lays down minimum engagement thresholds and
compliance obligations that will directly impact workers associated with food
delivery, quick commerce and ride-hailing platforms. Under the draft rules, gig
and platform workers will be eligible for social security benefits only if they
are engaged for at least 90 days with an aggregator in a financial year. In
cases where a worker is associated with multiple aggregators, the eligibility
threshold rises to 120 days. Importantly, the rules clarify that engagement
begins from the day a worker starts earning income, irrespective of the amount
earned.
2. Assam to Procure Proton Therapy Machine
for Public Cancer Care: Assam is set to become the first state
in India to introduce proton therapy for cancer treatment within the public
health system. The state government has decided to procure a high-end proton
therapy machine at an estimated cost of ₹500 crore, marking a major advancement
in specialised oncology care and positioning Assam as an emerging destination for
medical tourism in eastern India. Announcing the decision, Assam Chief Minister
Himanta Biswa Sarma said a tender has already been floated for the procurement.
At present, proton therapy facilities in India are available only in the
private sector, notably with Tata Memorial Centre and Apollo Hospitals in
Chennai. No government-run healthcare institution in the country currently
offers this advanced radiotherapy technology, making Assam’s move a national
first.
BANKING AND FINANCE
1. UPI Transactions Surge 29% in December, Digital
Payments Maintain Strong Growth Momentum: UPI transactions rose 29% year-on-year in December, reaching 63 billion
transactions, while the transaction value increased 20% to around
₹28 lakh crore, as per NPCI data.On a month-on-month basis, UPI showed steady
growth, with the average daily transaction value rising to ₹90,217 crore in
December from ₹87,721 crore in November 2025.The average daily UPI transaction
count increased to 698 million in December, compared to 682 million in the
previous month, reflecting higher digital payment adoption.IMPS transactions
also recorded growth, with the transaction value reaching ₹6.62 lakh crore (up
10% YoY) and volume increasing to 380 million, alongside a rise in average
daily transaction value.
2. Gross GST Collections Rise 6.1% in December: Gross GST collections in December 2025 rose 6.1% year-on-year to about ₹75 lakh crore, with CGST and SGST recording growth, while IGST declined compared to the same month last year.From April to December 2025–26, gross GST collections increased by 8.6% to around ₹16.5 lakh crore, with all major components—CGST, SGST, and IGST—showing growth, reflecting stronger economic activity and improved compliance.GST revenues have shown a steady upward trend over the years, rising from ₹11.37 lakh crore in 2020–21 to ₹20.18 lakh crore in 2023–24, with 2024–25 marking the highest-ever gross collection of ₹22.08 lakh crore.
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