NATIONAL UPDATES:
1. Ayush Ministry Partners with Zepto to Boost Online
Access to AYUSH Medicines and Wellness Products: The Ayush Ministry signed an MoU with
Zepto Limited via its Export Promotion Council to facilitate online access
to Ayush medicines and wellness products across India.The partnership aims to
strengthen digital discovery, ensure quality compliance, and build consumer
trust in traditional healthcare products. Zepto, a quick-commerce platform,
will help connect AYUSH manufacturers—especially MSMEs—to digital consumers,
improving last-mile access to trusted wellness products.
2. NITI Aayog Launches Reports to Boost Circular Economy
for ELVs, E-Waste, Tyres, and Lithium-ion Batteries: NITI Aayog launched three reports at the
Material Recycling Association of India (MRAI) during
the International Material Recycling Conference (IMRC) in Jaipur, focusing
on End-of-Life Vehicles (ELVs), Waste Tyres, E-waste, and Lithium-ion
Batteries.The reports highlight challenges in India’s circular economy and
provide recommendations for infrastructure development, sector formalisation,
strengthening the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) framework, and
boosting revenue potential.With the rise of electric vehicles and
digitalisation, India’s Lithium-ion battery demand is projected to surge from
29 GWh in 2025 to 248 GWh by 2035, while ELVs are expected to grow from 23
million in 2025 to 50 million by 2030. E-waste in India is expected to increase
from 6.19 MMT in 2024 to 14 MMT by 2030, highlighting the urgent need for
effective circular economy practices to manage resources sustainably.
3. Delhi
Man Critical After AI-Advised HIV Preventive Drug Use: A 45-year-old man from Delhi is in critical condition after
developing a rare and severe drug reaction following the unsupervised use of
HIV preventive medicines. The case has raised serious concerns over
self-medication, illegal over-the-counter drug sales, and growing dependence on
artificial intelligence platforms for medical advice without professional
consultation. According to doctors at Dr Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, the
patient consumed HIV post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) drugs after a high-risk
sexual encounter, based solely on advice generated by an AI chat platform. He
reportedly purchased a full 28-day course of antiretroviral medicines directly
from a local chemist without a prescription. After taking the drugs for seven
days, he developed extensive skin rashes and eye complications. His condition
deteriorated as he visited multiple healthcare facilities before being admitted
to RML Hospital in a critical state.
4. Gujarat
Launches Mukhyamantri Gramotthan Yojana: Gujarat has launched a major rural
development drive aimed at providing urban-level facilities in villages,
signalling a strategic push towards balanced and inclusive growth. The
initiative seeks to narrow the rural–urban divide by upgrading infrastructure
and public services in key rural centres across the state. The Mukhyamantri
Gramotthan Yojana was launched by Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel from Bhadran
in Anand district. The programme envisions transforming rural hubs into growth
centres with facilities comparable to urban areas, improving quality of life
and economic opportunities in villages. In the first phase, 114 villages that
function as Taluka headquarters will be developed with modern infrastructure.
Planned amenities include high-quality road networks, underground drainage
systems, solar-powered street lighting, and enhanced digital governance through
e-Gram services. These upgrades aim to improve connectivity, sanitation, energy
efficiency, and access to public services.
5. Indian Railways Launches First LNG-Diesel Dual-Fuel DEMU
Train: Indian Railways has achieved
a significant milestone in sustainable transport by operationalising the
country’s first LNG-Diesel dual-fuel Diesel Electric Multiple Unit (DEMU)
train. The initiative marks a decisive step towards reducing emissions and fuel
costs in rail operations, aligning with broader national clean energy goals.
The dual-fuel DEMU train has been operationalised at Sabarmati in Ahmedabad
under Indian Railways. The project involved converting the driving power cars
of a 1,400 horsepower DEMU train to operate on a dual-fuel system. Liquefied
Natural Gas (LNG) is used to substitute nearly 40 per cent of conventional
diesel consumption, without compromising performance or reliability. According
to the Divisional Railway Manager of Ahmedabad, Ved Prakash, the converted
power cars have successfully completed field trials covering more than 2,000
kilometres. Following these trials, the train has entered regular passenger
service and is operating smoothly without any technical or operational
challenges. This validates the feasibility of LNG-based propulsion in
day-to-day rail services.
INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:
1. India–EU Free Trade Agreement Concluded: A Strategic
Breakthrough in India’s Global Trade Engagement: PM Narendra Modi and European Commission President
H.E. Ms Ursula von der Leyen, jointly announced the conclusion of the
India–EU Free Trade Agreement at the 16th India–EU Summit, held during the
visit of the European leaders to India.The FTA comes after intense negotiations
since the re-launch of negotiations in 2022. India and the EU are the 4th and
2nd largest economies, comprising 25% of Global GDP, and account for one third
of global trade. India has secured unprecedented market access for more
than 99% of Indian exports by trade value to the EU that also bolsters the ‘Make
in India’ initiative.The European Union is India’s one of the largest trading
partner, with bilateral trade in goods and services growing steadily over the
years. In 2024–25, India’s bilateral trade in goods with the EU stood at INR
11.5 Lakh Crore (USD 136.54 billion) with exports worth INR 6.4 Lakh Crore (USD
75.85 billion) and imports amounting to INR 5.1 Lakh Crore (USD 60.68 billion).
2. 28 January – International Data Privacy Day: International Data Privacy Day is
observed every year on 28 January to raise awareness about the
importance of protecting personal and sensitive data online.Theme 2026
– Take Control of Your Data The day emphasizes digital privacy,
cybersecurity, and responsible data handling for individuals, businesses, and
governments.
3. India,
Canada Sign Energy Cooperation Statement at IEW 2026: India and Canada on Tuesday signed a Joint
Statement on Energy Cooperation on the sidelines of India Energy Week 2026
in Goa, reaffirming their intent to strengthen
bilateral collaboration across conventional and clean energy sectors. The
agreement signals renewed momentum in ties after both countries committed to
re-engaging at senior political and working levels. The Joint Statement was
signed following a bilateral meeting between India’s Union Minister for
Petroleum and Natural Gas and Canada’s Minister of Energy and Natural
Resources . This marked the first participation of a Canadian Cabinet Minister
at India Energy Week. The engagement followed directions from the Prime
Ministers of both countries during their interaction on the margins of
the G7
Summit held in Kananaskis,
Canada, in June 2025. Both sides formally launched the renewed India–Canada
Ministerial Energy Dialogue, underlining the importance of energy security,
supply diversification, and stable partnerships for long-term economic
growth.
4. Rare
Jumping Spider Recorded in India for First Time: Researchers have
documented a rare species of jumping spider in Assam, marking its first recorded presence in
India and adding a significant entry to the country’s biodiversity records. The
discovery highlights the ecological richness of southern Assam and underlines the scientific
importance of its forest ecosystems. The species, identified as “Colyttus
bilineatus”, was recorded by researchers from Assam University, Silchar. The
documentation was made at Loharbond in the Inner Line Reserved Forest of Cachar
district. This forested area lies close to the borders of Mizoram and Manipur and forms part of a biologically
sensitive landscape in the Barak Valley region. Jumping spiders belong to the
family Salticidae, known for their excellent vision and active hunting
behaviour. The recording of “Colyttus bilineatus” in India extends the known
geographical range of the species. Such findings are crucial for understanding
species distribution patterns and assessing the health of forest habitats in
the eastern Himalayan foothills and adjoining regions.
OTHER UPDATES:
DEFENCE
1. Adani and Embraer Sign MoU to Set Up India’s First
Commercial Aircraft Assembly Line: Adani Defence & Aerospace and Brazilian
aircraft maker Embraer signed an MoU to establish India’s first
commercial aircraft final assembly line (FAL).Embraer currently operates FALs
in the US (Melbourne and Jacksonville, Florida) for business jets and defence
aircraft, and will bring its expertise to India for commercial aircraft manufacturing.With
India’s civil aviation market rapidly expanding—800 aircraft in operation and
1,700 on order—Embraer is already in talks with airlines like Star Air, IndiGo,
and Air India for potential future sales and fleet expansion.
2. US
Approves $3.8 Billion Apache Helicopter Sale to Israel: The United States has cleared a major arms sale
to Israel, approving the transfer of 30 Apache
attack helicopters and related military
equipment worth nearly $3.8 billion. The decision comes amid a fragile
ceasefire in Gaza and reflects Washington’s continued strategic and military
backing of its key Middle
East ally. The US State
Department confirmed that the Apache helicopter sale forms part of a broader
$6.7 billion weapons package for Israel. Alongside the helicopters, the package
includes a separate $1.8 billion deal for joint light tactical vehicles. US
officials stated that the sale aligns with American national interests and
long-standing commitments to Israel’s defence preparedness and deterrence
capabilities. In an official statement, the State Department emphasised that
the United
States is committed to
ensuring Israel’s security and ability to defend itself against regional threats.
President Donald Trump has reiterated strong political support for Israel, with
his administration maintaining that robust military assistance is essential for
regional stability and US strategic interests in West Asia.
3. Pechora
Missile System Digitised, Boosting IAF Air Defence: Bengaluru-based defence
manufacturer has completed a major upgrade of the Indian Air Force’s Pechora surface-to-air missile
system, marking a significant step in India’s push to modernise ageing military
platforms through indigenous capability. The fully digitised upgrade is
expected to enhance the operational effectiveness of the and strengthen the
country’s layered air defence architecture. The Pechora system, inducted in the
1970s, has formed a critical part of India’s air defence network for nearly
five decades. While known for reliability, the Russian-origin system faced
obsolescence challenges due to rapid technological advances. To address this,
the IAF initiated a comprehensive upgrade programme to extend service life and
improve combat performance. Alpha Design Technologies emerged as the strategic
partner and signed a Rs 591.3 crore contract for the programme on September 25,
2020.
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
1. Swiggy Integrates AI Tools Like ChatGPT, Claude, and
Google Gemini for Grocery, Food, and Dining Orders: Swiggy now allows users to order
groceries, food, and make dining reservations through popular AI tools
like ChatGPT, Claude, and Google Gemini, with current transactions supporting
cash on delivery.Model Context Protocol (MCP) integration enables Swiggy Food,
Instamart, and Dineout to interact seamlessly with AI agents, acting as a
“universal connector” standardising API communication.Similar pilot projects
have been tested by BigBasket, allowing grocery purchases via ChatGPT using UPI
payments, where the AI agent checks the catalogue, presents options, and
completes the order with a single confirmation.
2. OpenAI
Retires GPT-4o, Makes GPT-5.2 New Professional Standard: OpenAI has announced that it will retire
GPT-4o and several related models on February 13, 2026, marking a significant
shift in its artificial intelligence roadmap. The transition positions GPT-5.2
as the default model for professional and creative users, reflecting the
company’s focus on consolidation, personalisation, and improved user control.
Since its launch, GPT-4o earned strong user loyalty for its conversational
warmth, casual tone, and perceived creativity. Writers, marketers, and
researchers widely preferred it for brainstorming, ideation, and narrative
tasks. Following earlier deprecation plans, GPT-4o was briefly restored after
widespread user feedback seeking more time to adapt. OpenAI acknowledged that
this feedback directly influenced the design priorities of subsequent GPT-5
updates. According to OpenAI, GPT-4o will be retired alongside GPT-4.1, GPT-4.1
mini, and o4-mini. The company stated that usage of these models has declined
sharply as newer systems became more capable. By retiring underused models,
OpenAI aims to focus development resources on fewer, more versatile systems
that meet the majority of user needs across professional and general use cases.
3. ONGC
Launches Pragya-AIX AI Platform for Upstream Operations: Oil
and Natural Gas Corporation has
taken a major step in its digital transformation journey with the go-live of
Pragya-AIX, an Artificial
Intelligence and Innovation
Exchange designed to embed AI into day-to-day operations. The initiative marks
a shift from experimental pilots to a fully functional AI ecosystem across the
company’s upstream activities. Pragya-AIX integrates more than 26 intelligent
applications into a single digital platform, enabling seamless deployment
across ONGC’s nationwide network of workcentres. Developed as a unified system,
it allows AI tools to function at scale, supporting operational teams with
real-time insights rather than isolated analytical outputs. This integration is
expected to improve coordination and reduce functional silos.
BANKING AND FINANCE
1. PFRDA Launches NPS Swasthya Pension Scheme As Proof Of
Concept For Medical Expenses: The Pension Fund Regulatory and Development
Authority (PFRDA) has notified the launch of the ‘NPS Swasthya Pension
Scheme’ as a Proof of Concept (PoC) under its Regulatory Sandbox Framework.This
innovative sector-specific scheme is designed to integrate health-related
financial support with the existing National Pension System (NPS) architecture.
It allows Indian citizens to voluntarily contribute toward a dedicated fund
intended exclusively for out-patient (OPD) and in-patient (IPD) medical
expenses.The PoC will be managed by Pension Funds (PFs) in collaboration with
FinTechs and Health Benefit Administrators (HBAs) to test operational and
technological feasibility.
2. Contribution and Fund Management Mechanics: Corpus Transfers: Subscribers over 40 years of
age (excluding Government sector employees) can transfer up to 30% of their
self or employee contributions from their Common Scheme Account to the Swasthya
Account.Investment Strategy: Contributions will be managed by PFs according to
Multiple Scheme Framework (MSF) investment guidelines.Mandatory Dual Accounts:
Every subscriber must hold a Common Scheme Account alongside the Swasthya
Pension Scheme Account.
3. Withdrawal and Claim Settlement Protocols: Partial Withdrawals: Subscribers can withdraw
up to 25% of their own contributions for medical needs once the corpus reaches
a minimum of ₹50,000. There is no minimum waiting period or limit on the number
of withdrawals. Premature Exit: If a single medical instance exceeds 70%
of the Swasthya corpus, a 100% lump sum exit is permitted for treatment. Direct
Settlement: Payments are remitted directly to the HBA, TPA, or hospital
based on valid invoices, with any surplus returning to the subscriber’s Common
Scheme Account.
AWARDS AND HONOURS
1. President Murmu honors 30 individuals with Jeevan Raksha Padak Awards: President Droupadi Murmu has approved the conferment of the Jeevan Raksha Padak Series of Awards-2025 on 30 persons. This includes the Sarvottam Jeevan Raksha Padak to six persons, the Uttam Jeevan Raksha Padak to six persons, and the Jeevan Raksha Padak to 18 persons. Six of the awardees are being honoured posthumously. Jeevan Raksha Padak Series of Awards is given to individuals for meritorious acts of human nature in saving the life of a person. The awards are given in three categories, namely, Sarvottam Jeevan Raksha Padak, Uttam Jeevan Raksha Padak and Jeevan Raksha Padak. Persons of all walks of life are eligible for these awards. The award can also be conferred posthumously.
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