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.

 

Daily GK Update- 3rd Jan, 2026

 

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.

 

Daily GK Update- 2nd Jan, 2026

 

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Army Hospital Creates History with India’s First 3D Flex Aqueous Angiography with iStent: India’s first 3D Flex Aqueous Angiography with iStent was successfully performed by the Ophthalmology Department at Army Hospital (Research & Referral), Delhi Cantt, marking a major milestone in glaucoma treatment.The procedure used a stand-mounted Spectralis imaging system and a 3D operating microscope, enabling real-time visualization of aqueous outflow pathways for highly precise, minimally invasive surgery.This breakthrough sets a new benchmark in glaucoma care in India, significantly improving surgical accuracy, patient outcomes, and positioning Armed Forces Medical Services among global leaders in ophthalmic innovation.

 

2. NTH and NHAI Sign MoU to Enhance Quality Assurance in National Highway Projects: National Test House (NTH) has signed an MoU with the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to strengthen quality control, inspection and third-party testing in national highway and infrastructure projects.Under the agreement, NTH will be empanelled as a recognised laboratory for NHAI, allowing highway construction and allied work samples to be sent for scientific testing and inspection.Established in 1912 and functioning under the Department of Consumer Affairs, NTH will also support NHAI through online test requests, digital payments, nodal officer coordination and expert participation in technical committees.

 

3. C R Patil Launches ‘Jal Seva Aankalan’ to Boost Community-Led Water Governance under Jal Jeevan Mission: Union Jal Shakti Minister C R Patil virtually launched Jal Seva Aankalan to strengthen service delivery and community ownership under the Jal Jeevan Mission.Jal Seva Aankalan is a Gram Panchayat-led digital assessment tool available on the Jal Jeevan Mission portal to evaluate drinking water service functionality at the village level.The initiative is designed as a community-owned self-assessment, reducing dependence on infrequent and costly third-party surveys, with all Har Ghar Jal Gram Panchayats required to complete it by 26 January next year.The tool will empower Gram Panchayats, strengthen democratic decision-making through Gram Sabhas, ensure transparency, and help identify service delivery gaps early for timely corrective action.

 

4. Karnataka Records First Sighting of Ultra-Rare ‘Sandalwood Leopard’: Karnataka has documented its first-ever sighting of an ultra-rare leopard colour morph, informally named the “Sandalwood Leopard”, marking only the second confirmed instance of this rare big cat in India. The discovery, made in the Vijayanagara district, has drawn national and global attention to the state’s rich and genetically diverse wildlife. The Sandalwood Leopard is distinguished by a pale reddish-pink coat with light-brown rosettes, a stark contrast to the typical tawny coat with black rosettes seen in Indian leopards. The female leopard, estimated to be around six to seven years old, was captured on camera traps during wildlife research surveys. In subsequent images, she was seen alongside a cub with a normal tawny coat, highlighting the rarity of the adult’s coloration.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Sheikh Khalifa Medical City Makes Global History with First Administration of ITVISMA Gene Therapy: Sheikh Khalifa Medical City, Abu Dhabi, has become the first hospital in the world to administer ITVISMA, a one-time gene therapy for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), marking a significant milestone in precision medicine.The therapy was administered under the supervision of the Department of Health, Abu Dhabi, after receiving regulatory approval, making the UAE the second country after the United States to authorise this advanced treatment.Developed by Novartis, ITVISMA targets the genetic root cause of SMA by replacing the defective SMN1 gene, enabling the production of the survival motor neuron (SMN) protein.As a single-dose gene therapy approved for patients aged two years and above, ITVISMA expands access beyond infant-only treatments and offers the potential for sustained motor improvement with reduced long-term treatment dependence.

 

2. Why did the US strike Venezuela and Captured President Nicolas Maduro?: In the early hours of January 3, the United States carried out what President “Donald Trump” described as a “large-scale” military strike on Venezuela, followed by the dramatic claim that Venezuelan President “Nicolás Maduro” and his wife had been captured and flown out of the country. While Washington has offered few operational details and Caracas has not confirmed the capture, the episode marks the most direct US military action against Venezuela in decades — and raises fundamental questions about legality, regional stability, and America’s evolving use of force in the Western Hemisphere. Explosions were reported across the Venezuelan capital “Caracas” around 2 am local time. Residents described low-flying aircraft, shaking buildings, and power outages in parts of the city. Smoke was seen rising from military installations, including the La Carlota airfield and the sprawling Fuerte Tiuna complex, both central to Venezuela’s defence infrastructure.Soon after, President Trump announced on social media that US forces had conducted a coordinated operation with American law-enforcement agencies and had “captured” Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. The Venezuelan government, while condemning what it called “extremely serious military aggression,” said it had no confirmation of the president’s whereabouts and demanded proof of life.

 

3. India–Australia Trade at Zero Tariffs: Why ECTA Is Quietly Redrawing the Indo-Pacific Economic Map: As of January 1, 2026, every Indian product entering Australia does so without paying a single rupee in tariff. No carve-outs, no fine print. Three years after the Australia-India Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA) came into force, Australia has fully eliminated tariffs on Indian exports — offering Indian businesses unfettered access to a nearly $2-trillion economy. In a world where trade barriers are rising, this stands out as a rare, consequential success story. The most striking outcome of “Australia-India Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement” is that Australia has now removed tariffs on 100% of Indian goods exports. This includes textiles, engineering goods, pharmaceuticals, automobiles, gems and jewellery, agricultural products, and processed foods.In return, India has progressively reduced or eliminated duties on a wide range of Australian exports — particularly coal, critical minerals, metals, wine, and certain agricultural products — creating a two-way flow that benefits both economies.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

DEFENCE

 

1. Rakesh Aggarwal Assigned Additional Charge as Interim DG of NIA Following Sadanand Date’s Repatriation: The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has assigned the additional charge of NIA Director General to Rakesh Aggarwal following the premature repatriation of the incumbent DG, Sadanand Vasant Date, to his parent cadre.Rakesh Aggarwal, a 1994-batch Himachal Pradesh cadre IPS officer and current Special Director General of NIA, will hold the interim charge until a regular DG is appointed or further orders are issued.

 

2. Lav Aggarwal Appointed DG of DGFT Amid Key Bureaucratic Reshuffle: Lav Aggarwal has been appointed as Director General of the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), approved by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet as part of a bureaucratic reshuffle.Rabindra Kumar Agarwal, currently Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Cooperation, has been appointed as Chairman & Managing Director of the Food Corporation of India (FCI), replacing Ashutosh Agnihotri, who is now Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.Srikant Nagulapalli, Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Power, has been appointed as Director General of Hydrocarbons in the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas.Nidhi Pandey, currently Joint Secretary in the Department of Atomic Energy, will now serve as Additional Secretary, Department of Atomic Energy, taking over a key administrative role.

 

3. MoD Signs ₹4,666 Crore Defence Contracts for CQB Carbines and Heavy Weight Torpedoes: The Ministry of Defence (MoD) signed defence procurement contracts worth ₹4,666 crore for the acquisition of Close Quarter Battle (CQB) Carbines and Heavy Weight Torpedoes, in the presence of Defence Secretary Shri Rajesh Kumar Singh at South Block, New Delhi.This move aligns with the ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative, aiming to replace legacy weapon systems and equip Indian soldiers with modern, world-class combat capabilities.A contract worth around ₹1,896 crore was signed with WASS Submarine Systems S.R.L., Italy, for the procurement and integration of 48 Heavy Weight Torpedoes for the Kalvari Class (P-75) submarines of the Indian Navy, significantly boosting their combat strength.In FY 2025-26, the MoD has signed capital acquisition contracts worth ₹1,82,492 crore, reflecting a major push towards modernisation of the Indian Armed Forces.

 

4. India Successfully Conducts Salvo Launch of Indigenous ‘Pralay’ Ballistic Missiles off Odisha Coast: India successfully conducted a salvo launch of two indigenously developed ‘Pralay’ missiles off the Odisha coast as part of user evaluation trials.The test was carried out by DRDO and witnessed by officials from the Indian Army, Indian Air Force, and industry partners involved in development and production.‘Pralay’ is a surface-to-surface, short-range ballistic missile with a strike range of 150–500 km, capable of carrying multiple warhead types and equipped with advanced guidance systems for high precision.

 

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

 

1. Delhi Govt Partners with IIT Kanpur to Launch AI-Based Unified Grievance Redressal System: The Delhi government, in partnership with IIT Kanpur, will launch an AI-based Unified Grievance Redressal System to ensure faster complaint resolution and real-time monitoring.The system will integrate multiple grievance portals—including PGMS, LG Listening Post, and the Centralised Public Grievance Redress and Monitoring System—into a single unified dashboard for smarter analysis and quicker action.Advanced AI features like semantic search, root cause analysis, automatic grievance routing, and digitisation of complaint documents will enhance efficiency, accuracy, and accountability in handling public grievances.IIT Kanpur will manage system integration, cybersecurity audits, and portal maintenance, aiming to improve transparency, efficiency, and performance-based evaluation of departments and regions in grievance resolution.

 

2. Gujarat CM Approves Establishment of Indian AI Research Organisation (IAIRO) to Boost AI R&D: Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel granted in-principle approval for the establishment of the Indian AI Research Organisation (IAIRO) to boost AI research and development in the state.The facility will be set up as a public-private partnership (PPP) through collaboration between the State government, Central government, and Indian Pharmaceutical Alliance (IPA), with operations based in GIFT City, Gandhinagar, as a Section 8 non-profit entity.The estimated budget for the first five years is ₹300 crore, equally contributed by the State, Centre, and private partner, with IPA contributing ₹25 crore in 2025–26; the alliance includes 23 leading pharmaceutical companies such as Cipla, Sun Pharma, and Torrent Pharmaceuticals.IAIRO will function as a multidisciplinary AI hub, focusing on advanced R&D, AI product development, academic-industry-government collaboration, intellectual property creation, capacity building, and policy-oriented research, supporting sectors like healthcare, education, and agriculture.

 

3. How Climate Change Is Intensifying India’s Lead Poisoning Crisis: Lead exposure remains one of the most under-recognised public health emergencies in India — and climate change is quietly making it worse. While the phase-out of leaded petrol and incremental regulation have reduced some risks, there is still no safe level of lead in the human body. Even minimal exposure can irreversibly damage children’s brains, impair learning, and increase the risk of cardiovascular disease later in life. As climate extremes intensify, they are disturbing old reservoirs of lead in soil, water, housing and waste, compounding a crisis that already affects millions of Indians. The consequences extend far beyond individual health. Lead exposure undermines educational outcomes, reduces lifetime earnings, and erodes long-term economic productivity — costs that accumulate silently across generations.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. Government Retains Interest Rates on Small Savings Schemes for 8th Straight Quarter: The government has kept interest rates unchanged for 12 small savings schemes, including PPF and Sukanya Samriddhi, for the March quarter, marking the 8th consecutive quarter with no rate revision.This decision comes despite a 125 basis points cut in the repo rate by the RBI over the past year, bringing the policy rate down to 5.25% during the ongoing easing cycle.As per the Department of Economic Affairs, PPF will continue to offer 7.1% interest, while Sukanya Samriddhi accounts will earn 8.2% during the March quarter.Collections from small savings schemes help finance the Centre’s fiscal deficit; the government plans to raise ₹3.43 lakh crore in FY26 from the National Small Savings Fund as it targets reducing the fiscal deficit to 4.4% of GDP.

 

2. ATM Numbers Decline in FY25 as Digitisation Rises, Bank Branch Network Continues to Expand: RBI Report: According to the RBI’s Trend and Progress of Banking in India for FY25, the total number of ATMs declined moderately to 2,51,057 as of March 31, 2025, primarily due to the increased digitisation of payments, which reduced customer dependence on cash transactions.Both public and private sector banks reduced their ATM networks, with private banks’ ATMs falling to 77,117 and public sector banks’ ATMs declining to 1,33,544, largely because of the closure of offsite ATMs.In contrast, independently-run white label ATMs increased to 36,216, while ATM distribution showed that PSBs had a balanced rural–urban spread, whereas private and foreign banks were concentrated in urban and metropolitan areas.Despite digital alternatives, bank branches continued to expand, rising by 2.8% to 1.64 lakh branches, with PSBs leading new openings, particularly in rural and semi-urban centres, reflecting a continued focus on financial inclusion.

 

3. India Post and SIDBI Sign MoU to Verify Informal Micro Enterprises on Udyam Assist Platform: The Department of Posts and SIDBI have signed an MoU to conduct Contact Point Verification (CPV) of informal micro enterprises registered on the Udyam Assist Platform, aiming to enhance data integrity, formalisation, and access to institutional credit.Under the collaboration, India Post will leverage its nationwide network of over 1.64 lakh post offices and trained field workforce to carry out on-ground, geo-tagged verification of enterprise details using a SIDBI-developed CPV mobile application.SIDBI, the principal financial institution for MSME development, will provide the digital platform, backend infrastructure, operational guidelines, and training, with the MoU valid for two years (Dec 31, 2025–Dec 30, 2027) and provisions for extension, data security, and compliance.

 

 

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. Amit Shah Inaugurates ₹227 Crore Redeveloped Batadrava Than Honouring Srimanta Sankardeva in Assam: Union Home Minister Amit Shah inaugurated the ₹227 crore redeveloped Batadrava Than, the birthplace of Vaishnavite saint Srimanta Sankardeva, in Assam’s Nagaon district.The decision to redevelop the site, named as Mahapurush Srimanta Sankardeva Abhirbhav Kshetra, was first proposed in the 2021-22 State budget. project has been designed not only make the historic site a major tourist attraction but also to reflect the life, ideals, and artistic heritage associated with Mahapurush Sankardeva and the broader cultural traditions of the State.