Daily GK Update- 4th Jan, 2026

 

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. President Droupadi Murmu Launches ‘Skill The Nation’ AI Challenge to Prepare India’s Workforce for an AI-Driven Future: President Droupadi Murmu has launched the ‘Skill The Nation’ AI Challenge under the Skilling for AI Readiness (Soar) initiative of the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) and virtually inaugurated the IGNOU Regional Centre and Skill Centre at Rairangpur, Odisha.Artificial Intelligence is transforming economies, education and workplaces, and for a young country like India, it represents a major opportunity for inclusive social and economic change, not just a technological shift.India’s AI approach must be people-centric and inclusive, aiming to bridge social, economic and technological divides, particularly benefiting marginalised communities, while using AI to solve real-world problems.

 

2. MoSPI Unveils New Logo and Mascot ‘सांख्यिकी’ to Promote Data-Driven Governance and Public Trust: The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) unveiled a new logo and mascot to modernise its institutional identity and enhance public outreach, reinforcing the role of official statistics in policy formulation and nation-building.The new logo is based on the theme “Data for Development”, featuring the Ashoka Chakra symbolising truth and transparency, the Rupee symbol highlighting the role of data in economic planning, and numerical elements with an upward growth bar indicating progress through reliable statistics.The logo’s colour palette—saffron, white, green and deep blue— reflects India’s national colours and signifies growth, sustainability, stability and knowledge, aligning with data-driven governance and transparency.MoSPI also launched its new mascot “सांख्यिकी”, a citizen-centric character designed to simplify complex statistical concepts, promote participation in NSO surveys, and build public trust in official statistics through consistent and relatable engagement.

 

3. Sagarmala Finance Corporation Begins Lending Operations, Sanctions ₹4,300 Crore to Boost India’s Maritime Sector: Sagarmala Finance Corporation Limited (SMFCL), India’s first maritime-focused NBFC, has formally commenced lending operations by sanctioning loans worth around ₹4,300 crore, marking a major step towards strengthening India’s maritime finance ecosystem.The loan approvals were cleared at SMFCL’s 51st Board meeting (30 December 2025), in line with its board-approved strategy and AGM roadmap, which set a borrowing limit of ₹25,000 crore and a lending target of ₹8,000 crore, with the sanctioned amount to be disbursed within the current financial year. Of the sanctioned loans, ₹4,000 crore has been allocated to a greenfield port project, reflecting the Centre’s push for port-led development, while Dredging Corporation of India (₹150 crore) and Goa Shipyard (₹110 crore) received funding to support dredging operations and indigenous shipbuilding. Inaugurated on June 26, 2025, by Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, SMFCL has been designated as the nodal agency for the ₹25,000-crore Maritime Development Fund and aims to provide sector-specific financial solutions across ports, MSMEs, startups and shipbuilding, aligned with Amrit Kaal Vision 2047 and India’s blue economy goals.

 

4. 18-Year-Old Kaamya Karthikeyan Becomes Youngest Indian to Ski to the South Pole: Kaamya Karthikeyan, 18, became the youngest Indian and second-youngest woman in the world to ski to the South Pole, completing a 115 km expedition in Antarctica under extreme conditions, including -30°C temperatures, gale-force winds, and whiteouts.Daughter of Indian Navy officer S Karthikeyan and educator Lavanya Karthikeyan, Kaamya’s early exposure to discipline and outdoor pursuits shaped her into one of India’s most accomplished young adventurers.Before turning 18, Kaamya had completed the Seven Summits Challenge (Mount Everest, Aconcagua, Denali, Kilimanjaro, Elbrus, Vinson, Kosciuszko), becoming the youngest Indian and second-youngest woman to summit Everest from Nepal and achieving several other mountaineering milestones.

 

5. Ashika Group Gets SEBI Nod to Launch Ashika Mutual Fund: Ashika Group has received in-principle approval from SEBI to act as sponsor and establish Ashika Mutual Fund, allowing it to set up an Asset Management Company (AMC) and prepare for the launch of mutual fund schemes, subject to final regulatory clearances.The approval marks a key milestone in Ashika Group’s vision to build a future-ready asset management ecosystem, focused on disciplined investing, strong governance and long-term wealth creation.Ashika’s entry into the mutual fund space is backed by its diverse experience in capital markets and financial services, including retail and institutional broking, investment banking, research advisory, alternative assets, private equity and global family office services.The proposed fund house plans to offer a well-curated range of investment schemes catering to varied investor needs, supported by robust research, prudent risk management and a governance-first approach, with a focus on sustainable long-term investor value.

 

6. Tarun Garg Appointed as MD & CEO of Hyundai Motor India, Becomes First Indian to Lead HMIL: Hyundai Motor India Ltd (HMIL) appointed Tarun Garg as Managing Director & CEO, making him the first Indian national to head the company in its 29-year history.With over three decades of automotive experience, Tarun Garg aims to lead HMIL’s next phase of growth, focusing on sustainability, technological leadership, customer delight, and alignment with Hyundai’s vision of “Progress for Humanity.”

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. US Launches Strikes on Venezuela, Trump Claims Maduro Captured: The United States carried out what it described as a “large-scale strike” on Venezuela early Saturday, triggering explosions across the capital Caracas and plunging parts of the city into power outages. US President Donald Trump claimed that Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife had been captured and flown out of the country, an assertion that has intensified uncertainty over Venezuela’s political control. Multiple blasts were reported in Caracas during the early hours of January 3, accompanied by low-flying aircraft and visible smoke near military installations. Residents described buildings shaking as explosions echoed across the city. While the reported strike lasted less than half an hour, power outages were confirmed in several neighbourhoods, though traffic continued moving in parts of the capital. Casualty figures were not immediately available.

 

2. First Oral Pill for Thalassemia Anaemia Approved by US FDA: In a landmark development for global blood disorder care, the US Food and Drug Administration has approved the first-ever oral pill for treating anaemia in adults with thalassemia. Health experts have described the decision as a potential game changer that could significantly reduce dependence on lifelong blood transfusions for patients suffering from this inherited condition. The FDA has approved mitapivat, to be marketed under the brand name Aqvesme, for adults with alpha- or beta-thalassemia. It is the first medicine authorised for both transfusion-dependent and non-transfusion-dependent forms of the disease. Until now, thalassemia management has largely relied on regular blood transfusions and iron chelation therapy, often starting from early childhood.

 

3. Iran Appoints New Central Bank Chief Amid Economic Protests: Iran has appointed a new central bank governor as mounting economic pressure and a sharp currency collapse triggered widespread protests across the country. The leadership change comes amid public anger over soaring prices, inflation, and the rapid depreciation of the Iranian rial against the US dollar. President Masoud Pezeshkian’s Cabinet appointed Abdolnasser Hemmati as the new governor of the Central Bank of the Islamic Republic of Iran. The appointment was confirmed by Iran’s official news agency IRNA. Hemmati, a former economics minister, replaces Mohammad Reza Farzin, who resigned earlier this week amid escalating unrest. The leadership change follows a record fall in the Iranian rial, which traded at around 1.38 million rials per US dollar this week, compared with nearly 430,000 when Farzin assumed office in 2022. The rapid depreciation, combined with inflation estimated at around 40 per cent, has sharply increased the cost of food and daily essentials, intensifying pressure on households already affected by Western sanctions over Iran’s nuclear programme.

 

4. Paris Agreement at 10: Why developing countries are questioning the world’s climate compact: A decade after it came into force, the Paris Agreement is facing an unusual moment of introspection. Unlike its predecessor, the Kyoto Protocol, it is not under immediate threat of collapse. Yet questions about its effectiveness, fairness and long-term relevance are growing louder, particularly among developing countries. As the treaty completed ten years in November, the global climate conversation began to shift — from unquestioned acceptance of its architecture to open debate about whether it can still deliver meaningful results. The unease did not begin with the United States’ withdrawal from the Paris Agreement in early 2025, though that move reinforced doubts about global cooperation. For several developing countries, frustration has been building over a deeper imbalance. The treaty places binding procedural obligations on them — such as mandatory climate action plans and detailed greenhouse gas inventories — while failing to deliver the finance and technology support that were repeatedly promised.

OTHER UPDATES:

 

DEFENCE

 

1. Pralay Missile Strengthens India’s Tactical Strike Capability: India has taken a major leap in battlefield missile capability with the successful user trial of the indigenous Pralay missile. The Defence Research and Development Organisation validated the system through a salvo launch conducted on December 31, 2025, underscoring India’s growing self-reliance in advanced missile technology and reinforcing its regional deterrence posture.The trial was carried out by the Defence Research and Development Organisation from the Integrated Test Range at Chandipur in Odisha. Two Pralay missiles were fired in quick succession from the same launcher, both striking designated targets with high precision. Defence officials confirmed that the trial validated accuracy, reliability and operational readiness, with tracking systems and telemetry data from the Bay of Bengal confirming mission success.

 

2. Operation Milap Helps Trace 1,303 Missing Persons in Delhi’s Southwest: Delhi Police have traced 1,303 missing persons in the southwest district over the past year under Operation Milap, reflecting sustained efforts to reunite families and strengthen public trust in policing. The traced individuals include 434 children and 869 adults, with focused action continuing through December 2025. Operation Milap, run by the Delhi Police, is aimed at tracing missing persons through coordinated district-level efforts. In December alone, police teams traced 102 missing persons, comprising 35 children and 67 adults. Officials said the results underline consistent follow-up, inter-station coordination, and community-based intelligence gathering. According to DCP (Southwest) Amit Goel, local informers and systematic checks of hospital and police station records played a key role. Police teams also displayed photographs of missing individuals at transport hubs such as bus terminals, railway stations, auto stands and e-rickshaw points, helping generate timely leads from the public.

 

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

 

1. PM Modi Inaugurates Exhibition of Sacred Piprahwa Buddha Relics: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday inaugurated a grand international exhibition of sacred relics of Lord Buddha in New Delhi, marking a landmark moment in India’s cultural and spiritual heritage preservation. The exhibition has drawn wide attention from historians, scholars, and Buddhist followers from India and abroad. Titled ““The Light & the Lotus: Relics of the Awakened One””, the exhibition showcases the sacred Piprahwa relics of Gautama Buddha that have been reunited after 127 years. These gem relics were repatriated to India and are being displayed alongside archaeological materials recovered during excavations conducted in 1898 and later between 1971 and 1975 at the Piprahwa site.

 

2. India’s First Government AI Clinic Launched at GIMS Greater Noida: India has marked a major milestone in public healthcare with the inauguration of its first government hospital-based Artificial Intelligence (AI) clinic at the Government Institute of Medical Sciences. The initiative signals a shift towards technology-driven healthcare delivery in the government sector, aimed at improving clinical outcomes, efficiency, and patient safety. The AI clinic was inaugurated online by the Additional Director General of Health Services, Government of India. It has been established under the GIMS Centre for Medical Innovation and is designed to integrate AI solutions directly into clinical practice within a public hospital setting. The initiative is being viewed as a significant achievement for both Uttar Pradesh and the national healthcare ecosystem. The primary objective of the clinic is to provide a real-world clinical environment for AI-based healthcare startups to develop, test, and validate their solutions. By embedding innovation within a functioning government hospital, the clinic aims to bridge the gap between technological development and on-ground medical application, ensuring that AI tools are practical, safe, and clinically relevant.

 

3. India Develops 3D-Printed Automatic Weather Stations Under Mission Mausam: Indian scientists have achieved a technological milestone by developing indigenously manufactured Automatic Weather Stations (AWS) using 3D-printing technology. The first batch of these next-generation stations will be deployed in Delhi from February 2026, marking a major step towards strengthening India’s weather observation and forecasting network. The initiative is being led by the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology under the Ministry of Earth Sciences as part of Mission Mausam, a ₹2,000 crore national programme aimed at upgrading meteorological infrastructure. Mission Mausam focuses on eliminating data gaps in weather observations, especially in urban and climate-sensitive regions, to improve forecast accuracy.Unlike conventional systems, the new AWS units are fully manufactured domestically using 3D-printing technology under the Make in India initiative. These stations automatically record parameters such as temperature, wind speed, humidity, and rainfall, and transmit data in real time. The use of 3D printing significantly reduces production costs, allows flexible geometric design, and enables faster large-scale deployment. All units are solar-powered, making them suitable for remote and urban locations alike.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. 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.

 

2. Andhra Pradesh Tops India’s Investment Chart in FY26: Andhra Pradesh has emerged as India’s leading investment destination in FY26, capturing the largest share of proposed investments in the country. The state accounted for 25.3 per cent of total proposed investments during the first nine months of the fiscal year, reflecting a strong shift in industrial momentum towards eastern and southern India. According to a report by Bank of Baroda, Andhra Pradesh led all states in attracting proposed capital during the first three quarters of FY26. Odisha followed with a 13.1 per cent share, while Maharashtra stood third at 12.8 per cent. Together, these three states accounted for 51.2 per cent of all proposed investments nationwide. Overall investment announcements during this period rose by 11.5 per cent year-on-year to ₹26.6 lakh crore.