National News

Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal Launches Port Infrastructure Projects Worth Rs.235 Crores in Tamil Nadu

• Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal from the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways inaugurated comprehensive port infrastructure and digital governance projects valued at Rs.235 crores at Chennai Port Authority and Kamarajar Port Limited in Chennai on January 8, 2026, as part of the “Viksit Bharat, Viksit Ports” programme, marking a significant milestone in India’s maritime infrastructure development.
• The investment encompasses Rs.129.36 crores allocated for Chennai Port projects, including strengthening 850 metres of coastal revetment with climate-resilient designs (Rs.33.28 crores), construction of a new firefighting pump house at the Oil Dock Area meeting OISD safety norms (Rs.43 crores), modernization of Chennai Port Hospital (Rs.8.08 crores), and implementation of SAP-based Enterprise Business System integrating finance, operations, HR, assets and customer services (Rs.45 crores).
• Kamarajar Port Limited received Rs.105.64 crores for critical infrastructure upgrades, primarily focusing on the rehabilitation of 202 metres of Northern Breakwater Head using 3,055 tetrapods damaged by past cyclones at an investment of Rs.105 crores to ensure navigational safety and uninterrupted port operations, along with construction of a new boundary wall near Northern Port Access Road worth Rs.1.39 crores.
• The Minister also launched the e-Port Clearance Portal under the One Nation-One Port Process (ONOP) initiative, enabling seamless online submission and issuance of Port Clearance certificates, and presented a cheque worth Rs.18 lakh to the Royal Madras Yacht Club for providing sailing training to 20 students from Chennai Port School, demonstrating the government’s commitment to youth development in maritime sectors.

Science and Technology News

Telecommunication Engineering Centre Signs Strategic MoU with IIT Kanpur for Next-Generation Technology Research

• The Telecommunication Engineering Centre (TEC), serving as the technical arm of the Department of Telecommunication under the Ministry of Communications, formalized a comprehensive Memorandum of Understanding with Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur on January 9, 2026, aimed at driving collaborative research, rigorous testing, and international standardization in next-generation telecommunications technologies.
• The partnership will focus on critical emerging areas including 6G architecture and technologies with contributions to pre-standardization and standardization in global forums, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning applications in telecommunications for network automation, optimization and intelligent management systems, and Non-Terrestrial Networks encompassing satellite communications, High-Altitude Platform Systems (HAPS), and seamless integration with terrestrial network infrastructure.
• In a parallel development, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), operating under the Ministry of Communications, granted authorization to RANext Technologies as India’s Digital Connectivity Rating Agency (DCRA), empowering the organization to assess and rate the quality of digital connectivity infrastructure in buildings and properties across the nation.
• RANext Technologies will comprehensively evaluate properties on critical connectivity parameters including fibre infrastructure standards, in-building mobile connectivity quality, broadband and Wi-Fi performance inside premises, and readiness for future smart technologies such as Internet of Things (IoT) devices, establishing a benchmark rating system to guide consumers and property developers in making informed decisions about digital infrastructure investments.

National News

Union Home Minister Amit Shah Inaugurates National IED Data Management System to Strengthen Counter-Terrorism Capabilities

• Union Minister Amit Shah, heading the Ministry of Home Affairs and Ministry of Cooperation, inaugurated the National Improvised Explosive Device (IED) Data Management System (NIDMS) of the National Security Guard through video conferencing in New Delhi in January 2026, with the digital platform physically located at the NSG garrison in Manesar, Gurugram, Haryana, designed to revolutionize India’s counter-terrorism and counter-IED capabilities.
• The NIDMS represents a secure, national-level digital platform developed by the National Bomb Data Centre (NBDC) of the NSG, serving as a comprehensive central repository containing detailed information on all bomb explosion incidents recorded in India from 1999 to the present, embodying the government’s vision of ‘One Nation, One Data Repository’ for enhanced national security coordination.
• The Artificial Intelligence-enabled platform utilizes advanced data analytics to systematically identify patterns, trends, signature linkages, and modus operandi related to explosives and circuits used in IED attacks, facilitating data-driven investigation and evidence-based prosecution while enabling post-blast investigations across multiple agencies with unprecedented efficiency and accuracy.
• The system provides authorized access to critical law enforcement and intelligence agencies including the National Investigation Agency (NIA), Anti-Terrorism Squads (ATS), State Police Forces, Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), and other central investigation agencies, while being integrated with the Interoperable Criminal Justice System-2 (ICJS-2) under the ‘One Data–One Entry’ principle, linking seamlessly with CCTNS, e-Courts, e-Prisons, e-Prosecution, e-Forensics, and the National Automated Fingerprint Identification System (NAFIS).

Summit and Conference News

Office of Principal Scientific Adviser Partners with Observer Research Foundation for Raisina Science Diplomacy Initiative 2026

• The Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India (OPSA) and the Observer Research Foundation (ORF) announced a strategic partnership on January 8, 2026, during a meeting at OPSA’s office in New Delhi to launch the inaugural edition of the Raisina Science Diplomacy Initiative (SDI) 2026, with Professor Ajay Kumar Sood, Principal Scientific Adviser, and Dr. Samir Saran, President of ORF, formalizing this collaboration.
• The Raisina SDI, scheduled to be held from March 5-7, 2026, in New Delhi alongside the prestigious Raisina Dialogue, will establish a dedicated platform to explore the critical intersection of science, technology, and diplomacy in contemporary global affairs, addressing how scientific cooperation can thrive in an increasingly multipolar world order.
• The initiative will focus on comprehensive thematic areas encompassing science and technology diplomacy, emerging and disruptive technologies, scientific cooperation frameworks in a multipolar geopolitical environment, and critical issues such as technology control regimes, research security protocols, fair participation in global standards development, and regulatory harmonization across international boundaries.
• The SDI platform will convene an elite gathering of scientists, diplomats, policymakers, and industry leaders from around the world, facilitating high-level sessions and expert roundtables designed to forge new partnerships, establish collaborative research frameworks, and develop policy recommendations that bridge the gap between scientific innovation and diplomatic strategy in addressing global challenges.

National News

Ministry of Women and Child Development Launches PANKHUDI Digital Portal to Strengthen CSR Partnerships

• Union Minister Annapurna Devi from the Ministry of Women and Child Development launched ‘PANKHUDI’, an integrated Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and partnership facilitation digital portal on January 8, 2026, in New Delhi, creating a revolutionary single-window platform designed to unify voluntary and institutional contributions for advancing women and child welfare across India.
• The comprehensive digital portal brings together diverse stakeholders including individual citizens, Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), corporate entities, and Central and State Government agencies onto one unified platform, facilitating seamless collaboration and resource mobilization while providing real-time tracking capabilities and a complete digital audit trail to ensure transparency through non-cash contribution mechanisms.
• PANKHUDI covers extensive thematic areas critical to national development including nutrition security, healthcare access, Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE), child welfare and protection, rehabilitation services, and women’s safety and empowerment initiatives, promoting the concept of Jan Bhagidari (people’s participation) in social development programs at an unprecedented scale.
• The portal directly supports the government’s flagship missions including Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0 for nutritional security, Mission Vatsalya for comprehensive child protection services, and Mission Shakti for women’s safety, security, and empowerment, establishing a unified digital workflow that improves coordination among multiple agencies while eliminating duplication and ensuring efficient resource utilization for maximum social impact.

National News

UIDAI Unveils Aadhaar Mascot ‘Udai’ to Enhance Public Awareness and Trust

• Neelkanth Mishra, Chairman of the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, unveiled a new Aadhaar mascot named “Udai” on January 8, 2026, at an event in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, as part of the organization’s comprehensive strategy to strengthen public outreach, enhance awareness, and build trust in Aadhaar-related services among India’s 1.4 billion users.
• The mascot “Udai”, symbolizing progress, growth, and empowerment, was designed by Arun Gokul from Thrissur, Kerala, while the name was suggested by Riya Jain from Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, both selected through open national competitions conducted on the MyGov platform that received 875 creative entries from designers, students, and professionals across India, demonstrating widespread public participation in government initiatives.
• The resident-facing communication companion will be strategically utilized to simplify and explain complex Aadhaar-related topics including enrollment and update processes, authentication and offline verification mechanisms, selective sharing of personal information protocols, responsible use guidelines, and adoption of new technologies, making these concepts more relatable, clear, and user-friendly for diverse demographic segments.
• Udai is intended to serve as a friendly, approachable interface that bridges the communication gap between UIDAI and the general public, particularly targeting semi-literate and rural populations who may find technical information challenging to understand, while also establishing a consistent visual identity for all Aadhaar-related communications across multiple media platforms including print, digital, and broadcast channels.

National News

Akasa Air Becomes Fifth Indian Airline to Join International Air Transport Association

• Akasa Air, India’s youngest airline founded in 2020 by Vinay Dube and late Rakesh Jhunjhunwala, achieved a significant milestone in January 2026 by becoming the fifth Indian member of the International Air Transport Association (IATA), the global body representing over 360 airlines accounting for more than 80% of global air traffic, joining the ranks of Air India, Air India Express, IndiGo, and SpiceJet.
• The airline’s admission to IATA followed the successful completion of the mandatory IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) in December 2025, a comprehensive evaluation system designed to assess the operational management and control systems of airlines, demonstrating Akasa Air’s commitment to meeting the highest international standards of safety, security, and operational excellence.
• IATA membership enables Akasa Air to participate actively in industry-wide dialogue on critical areas including safety management systems, digital transformation initiatives in aviation, sustainable aviation practices, and collaborative efforts to address global challenges facing the airline industry, while also providing access to IATA’s extensive network of industry best practices, training programs, and technical resources.
• Currently operating a fleet of 31 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft connecting 26 domestic cities and six international destinations, Akasa Air has served over 23 million passengers since inception and maintains ambitious expansion plans to grow its fleet to 226 aircraft, positioning itself as a major player in India’s rapidly growing aviation market while maintaining its commitment to punctuality, customer service, and operational efficiency.

Banking and Finance News

Axis Finance Limited Launches Vyapar Business Loan for Micro and Small Enterprises

• Axis Finance Limited (AFL), a Non-Banking Financial Company and wholly-owned subsidiary of Axis Bank Limited, launched the ‘Axis Finance Vyapar Business Loan’ on January 8, 2026, introducing a collateral-free credit solution specifically designed to empower Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs) operating in retail, service, and trading sectors across semi-urban and rural markets throughout India.
• The financial product offers loans up to Rs 10 lakh without requiring any collateral security, featuring flexible repayment tenure options tailored to the cash flow patterns of small businesses, enabling micro and small business owners to access working capital, pursue business expansion opportunities, and invest in equipment upgrades through a quick, hassle-free credit delivery mechanism supported by data-driven underwriting methodologies.
• The Vyapar Business Loan targets self-employed shopkeepers, traders, and service providers in underserved markets, requiring minimal documentation to reduce bureaucratic hurdles, while leveraging advanced analytics and alternative data sources to assess creditworthiness, thereby extending formal financial services to entrepreneurs who traditionally face challenges in accessing institutional credit due to lack of conventional collateral or credit history.
• In a parallel initiative, Axis Bank launched the Safety Centre on its mobile banking application ‘Open’ to enhance digital banking security for customers, incorporating key features such as SMS authentication, the ability to block Internet Banking, fund transfers, Unified Payments Interface (UPI) and Net Banking transactions, functionality to restrict addition of new payees, and options to set secure transaction limits, providing customers with comprehensive tools to protect their accounts from fraudulent activities.

Rank and Reports News

UN-DESA Projects India’s GDP Growth at 6.6% for 2026 in World Economic Situation Report

• The United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN-DESA) released its comprehensive ‘World Economic Situation and Prospects (WESP) 2026’ report in January 2026, projecting India’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth at a robust 6.6% for calendar year 2026, down from an earlier estimate of 7.4%, and forecasting 6.7% growth for 2027, while affirming India’s status as the world’s fastest-growing major economy despite global economic headwinds.
• The report forecasts India’s inflation rate at 4.1% for 2025, maintaining price stability within manageable limits, while global economic growth is expected to moderate to 2.7% in 2026, declining from an estimated 2.8% in 2025 and projected at 2.9% in 2027, with global trade growth slowing significantly to 2.2% in 2026 compared to 3.8% in 2025, reflecting widespread challenges in international commerce.
• India’s economic resilience is attributed to strong demand in major international markets, robust domestic consumption, and continued government focus on infrastructure development and economic reforms, with the projections aligning closely with International Monetary Fund (IMF) forecasts that identify India as the only major economy expected to maintain growth above 6% during 2025-26, significantly outpacing developed economies and most emerging markets.
• Sectoral growth projections for India’s Financial Year 2025-26 indicate Services Gross Value Added expanding by 7.3% driven by core services growing at 9.9% and trade-related services at 7.5%, manufacturing and construction sectors expected to expand by 7.0%, private consumption projected to rise by 7.0% supported by strong investment and Gross Fixed Capital Formation growth of 7.8%, while agriculture and allied sectors are anticipated to grow moderately at 3.1% based on healthy crop output expectations.

Banking and Finance News

State Bank of India Projects India’s FY26 GDP Growth at 7.5% in Ecowrap Report

• The State Bank of India’s Economic Research Department released its Ecowrap report on January 7, 2026, projecting India’s GDP growth for fiscal year 2025-26 at 7.5% with an upward bias, marginally exceeding the 7.4% first advance estimate provided by the National Statistical Office (NSO) and also surpassing the Reserve Bank of India’s projection of 7.3% for the same period, reflecting growing confidence in India’s economic fundamentals.
• The comprehensive research report analyzed the historical pattern of differences between RBI and NSO estimates, typically ranging between 20-30 basis points, concluding that the NSO’s 7.4% estimate for FY26 is both expected and reasonable given current economic indicators, while SBI’s slightly higher projection accounts for positive momentum in various sectors and potential upside surprises from policy initiatives.
• According to NSO estimates, India’s real GDP is projected at Rs 201.90 lakh crore for FY26, representing a growth rate of 7.4%, while nominal GDP is expected to expand by 8.0% to reach Rs 357.13-357.14 lakh crore, indicating healthy economic expansion despite global uncertainties including geopolitical tensions, fluctuating commodity prices, and monetary policy tightening in developed economies.
• The report’s analysis suggests that India’s growth trajectory remains resilient, supported by strong domestic demand, government capital expenditure programs, improving private investment sentiment, and favorable monsoon patterns supporting agricultural output, while acknowledging potential risks from global economic slowdown, volatile crude oil prices, and the need to maintain fiscal discipline while supporting growth-oriented policies.

Awards and Recognitions News

Five Indian Films Qualify for Best Picture Category at 98th Academy Awards

• Five Indian films—Kantara: A Legend – Chapter 1, Tanvi The Great, Mahavatar Narsimha, Tourist Family, and Sister Midnight—were included in the list of 201 feature films eligible for the Best Picture category at the 98th Academy Awards (Oscars 2026) in January 2026, as released by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS), marking significant representation for Indian cinema on the global stage.
• Kantara: A Legend – Chapter 1, written and directed by Rishab Shetty who also stars as Berme, was produced by Vijay Kiragandur and Chaluve Gowda under Hombale Films, while Mahavatar Narasimha represents an animated film directed by Ashwin Kumar, produced by Shilpaa Dhawan, Kushal Desai, and Chaitanya Desai of Kleem Productions in association with Hombale Films, featuring Harjeet Walia voicing Lord Narasimha.
• Tanvi The Great marks the directorial debut of veteran actor Anupam Kher, who also produced the film under Anupam Kher Studio in association with the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC), starring Shubhangi Dutt as the titular protagonist Tanvi Raina, showcasing the versatility of Indian cinema across different genres and production scales from established studios to independent ventures.
• Tourist Family, directed by debutant Abishan Jeevinth and produced by Nazerath Pasilian, Magesh Raj Pasilian, and Yuvaraj Ganesan under Million Dollar Studios and MRP Entertainment, features M. Sasikumar in the lead role alongside Simran, while Sister Midnight is a dark comedy written and directed by Karan Kandhari, produced by Alastair Clark and Anna Griffin under Wellington Films and Griffin Pictures, with Radhika Apte starring as Uma, demonstrating the diverse storytelling approaches in contemporary Indian cinema.

Banking and Finance News

IREDA Achieves Fifth Consecutive ‘Excellent’ Rating in MoU Performance Evaluation

• The Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency (IREDA), operating under the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), secured an ‘Excellent’ rating with an impressive score of 96.42 out of 100 on January 8, 2026, for its performance in the Memorandum of Understanding signed with MNRE for Financial Year 2024-25, marking the fifth consecutive year of achieving this top rating and demonstrating sustained organizational excellence.
• This achievement represents a remarkable transformation from Financial Year 2019-20 when IREDA received only a ‘Fair’ rating with a score of 45.83, following which the organization undertook comprehensive institutional reforms to strengthen its systems, processes, and work culture, resulting in consistent year-over-year improvements that culminated in five consecutive years of excellent ratings.
• The sustained excellent performance highlights IREDA’s unwavering focus on operational efficiency, financial discipline, and strong corporate governance practices, while fulfilling its mandate as a Navratna Non-Banking Financial Company established in 1987 to finance Renewable Energy and energy-efficiency projects across solar, wind, hydro, bioenergy, green hydrogen, and energy storage sectors.
• IREDA’s consistent excellence in MoU performance evaluation reflects its critical role in supporting India’s clean energy transition and climate goals, demonstrating effective project financing mechanisms, robust risk management frameworks, and innovative financial products that have enabled increased renewable energy deployment across the country while maintaining financial sustainability and meeting stringent performance targets set by the ministry.

Science and Technology News

MeitY Inaugurates State-of-the-Art ‘Param Shakti’ Supercomputing Facility at IIT Madras

• The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology inaugurated Param Shakti, a cutting-edge supercomputing facility at the Indian Institute of Technology Madras in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, on January 3, 2026, with the formal inauguration conducted by Shri S. Krishnan, Secretary of MeitY, marking a significant advancement in India’s computational research infrastructure and indigenous supercomputing capabilities.
• The facility is powered by the PARAM RUDRA supercomputing system offering peak performance of 3.1 petaflops, capable of performing over 3.1 quadrillion (3.1 × 10¹⁵) calculations per second, representing substantial computational power that positions IIT Madras among institutions with world-class high-performance computing resources for advanced research and development activities.
• The entire hardware and software stack has been developed and built in India by the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) under MeitY, demonstrating India’s growing self-reliance in critical technology infrastructure and reducing dependence on imported supercomputing systems while building domestic expertise in designing, manufacturing, and maintaining high-performance computing facilities.
• The supercomputer is expected to accelerate breakthrough research across multiple high-impact domains including aerospace engineering, materials science, climate and weather modeling, drug discovery and molecular dynamics, advanced manufacturing and combustion studies, nuclear sciences and computational fluid dynamics, supported by a fully integrated data center featuring 24×7 power backup, advanced cooling systems, and infrastructure for continuous operation.

Books and Authors News

Telugu Biography of President Droupadi Murmu Released in Visakhapatnam

• The Telugu-language book ‘Agni Sarassulo Vikasinchina Kamalam Droupadi Murmu’ (Lotus Blooming in the Fire of Coals), chronicling President Droupadi Murmu’s inspiring journey from tribal roots to becoming India’s President and residing at Rashtrapati Bhavan, was released in January 2026 at Andhra University in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, capturing the remarkable life story of India’s first tribal President.
• The biography was authored by former Member of Parliament Yarlagadda Lakshmi Prasad, who serves as President of Vishwa Hindi Parishad, and was symbolically unveiled by Lakshmamma, a woman sanitation worker who cleans roads at Andhra University, with the choice of Lakshmamma as the person to release the book embodying President Murmu’s own narrative of empowerment from humble origins and representing marginalized communities.
• The book highlights President Murmu’s extraordinary resilience amid profound personal tragedies including the deaths of her husband and children, her navigation of complex political battles, and her rise through democratic institutions, serving as an inspiration for democratic participation in tribal areas and demonstrating that individuals from the most disadvantaged backgrounds can reach the highest constitutional office through determination and public service.
• President Murmu’s landmark achievements documented in the biography include being India’s first tribal President, the first President born post-Independence and youngest at 64 years when assuming office, Odisha’s first female Member of Legislative Assembly from Scheduled Tribes, with a distinguished career spanning junior assistant (1979-83), teacher (1994-97), Odisha Minister for Commerce and Irrigation, and recognition as an anti-corruption crusader committed to ethical governance.

Important Days News

India Observes Pravasi Bharatiya Divas to Honor Overseas Indian Community

• Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD), also known as Non-Resident Indian Day, is observed biennially across India on January 9 to recognize and honor the significant contributions of the overseas Indian community to the nation’s development, commemorating Mahatma Gandhi’s historic return from South Africa to India on January 9, 1915, which marked the beginning of his leadership in India’s freedom struggle.
• The observance was initially celebrated annually on January 9 since 2003, but in October 2015, former Union Minister Sushma Swaraj from the Ministry of External Affairs announced that PBD would be held biennially in alternate years under a theme-based format to enable more substantive engagement with the diaspora, with the main convention held every two years while maintaining smaller diaspora events in intervening years.
• The PBD Convention serves as the Ministry of External Affairs’ flagship event, first introduced in 2003 by the Government of India under Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, celebrating and engaging the overseas Indian community through high-level discussions on their contributions to India’s development across economic, social, cultural, and diplomatic spheres, while strengthening the bond between India and its global diaspora estimated at over 30 million people.
• The prestigious Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award (PBSA), India’s highest honour for overseas Indians, is presented by the President of India during the PBD Convention’s Valedictory Session to Non-Resident Indians, Persons of Indian Origin, or organizations/institutions run by them for exceptional contributions in various fields, with the 18th PBD Convention held in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, from January 8-10, 2025, under the theme “Diaspora’s Contribution to a Viksit Bharat,” and the 19th edition scheduled for 2027.

State News

Tamil Nadu Unveils India’s First Deep-Tech Startup Policy at Umagine TN Summit

• Chief Minister M.K. Stalin of Tamil Nadu unveiled the Tamil Nadu Deep-Tech Startup Policy 2025-26 in January 2026 at the 4th edition of Umagine TN held at Chennai Trade Centre in Chennai, introducing India’s first dedicated deep-tech startup policy designed to support high-risk, research-driven ventures working on cutting-edge technologies and bridging the critical lab-to-market gap that often hinders deep-tech commercialization.
• The state government earmarked Rs 100 crore to support 100 deep-tech startups over a five-year period, providing comprehensive financial and institutional support for ventures working on advanced technologies including artificial intelligence, quantum computing, biotechnology, advanced materials, space technology, and other research-intensive innovations requiring substantial capital investment and longer gestation periods before commercialization.
• The policy framework aims to create a robust ecosystem for deep-tech entrepreneurship by providing access to specialized research infrastructure, mentorship from domain experts, connections to potential investors familiar with deep-tech investment cycles, regulatory support for navigating complex approval processes, and collaboration opportunities with academic institutions and research laboratories to accelerate technology transfer from research labs to market applications.
• In a parallel digital governance initiative, the Tamil Nadu Government partnered with Meta to launch ‘Namma Arasu’, a WhatsApp-based e-governance service, making Tamil Nadu the third Indian state after Andhra Pradesh and Odisha to adopt this platform, with the multilingual chatbot operating in English and Tamil to enable citizen services including bus ticket booking, exam hall ticket downloads, and tax payments, demonstrating the state’s commitment to accessible digital governance solutions.

Appointments and Resignations News

Justice Manoj Kumar Gupta Appointed Chief Justice of Uttarakhand High Court

• The Department of Justice under the Ministry of Law and Justice announced in January 2026 that the President of India, exercising powers under Article 217(1) of the Indian Constitution, appointed Justice Manoj Kumar Gupta, a senior judge of Allahabad High Court, as the new Chief Justice of Uttarakhand High Court, with the appointment receiving recommendation from the Supreme Court Collegium headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant.
• Justice Gupta will officially assume office as Chief Justice of Uttarakhand High Court following the retirement of incumbent Chief Justice Guhanathan (G.) Narendra on January 9, 2026, ensuring continuity in judicial administration and leadership at the High Court, which serves as the highest judicial authority for the state of Uttarakhand handling constitutional, civil, and criminal matters.
• Justice Manoj Kumar Gupta enrolled as an advocate on December 6, 1987, and practiced for over 25 years primarily on the civil, rent control, and constitutional sides before his elevation to Additional Judge of Allahabad High Court on April 12, 2013, subsequently appointed as Permanent Judge in April 2015, and served as Acting Chief Justice of Allahabad High Court on November 22, 2023, demonstrating extensive judicial experience.
• Currently serving as a Member of the Administrative Committee of Allahabad High Court and Executive Chairman of the Uttar Pradesh State Legal Services Authority, Justice Gupta brings comprehensive administrative and judicial expertise to his new role, with his tenure scheduled to continue until his retirement on October 8, 2026, during which he will oversee judicial administration, case management, and implementation of judicial reforms in Uttarakhand High Court.