National News

Union Minister Chirag Paswan Inaugurates ‘Indusfood 2026’ in Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh

• Union Minister Chirag Paswan from the Ministry of Food Processing Industries inaugurated the 9th edition of Indusfood 2026, Asia’s premier global Food and Beverage sourcing and trade show, at India Expo Centre & Mart in Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh. The three-day event, organized by the Trade Promotion Council of India under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, ran from January 8-10, 2026, and featured over 2,200 exhibitors from more than 30 countries alongside 15,000 buyers from over 120 countries.
• The event introduced two new pavilions focused on Pet Food & Animal Nutrition and Cookware & Kitchenware, reflecting the growing global demand driven by changing lifestyles with emphasis on wellness, premium products, and sustainability. The additions demonstrate India’s expanding role in diverse food and related industries.
• Key initiatives during the event included the 1st World Culinary Heritage Conference 2026 organized by the Indian Federation of Culinary Associations on January 9, 2026, and the launch of the BHARATI Startup Challenge by APEDA to promote innovation and entrepreneurship in agricultural and processed food export sectors.
• The India-UAE Food Corridor was launched by Abu Dhabi Food Hub to enhance food security, streamline supply chains, and boost bilateral trade flows between the two nations. A Memorandum of Understanding was signed between Khalifa Economic Zones Abu Dhabi and TPCI specifically for this corridor, strengthening bilateral food trade partnerships.
• Saudi Arabia marked a significant milestone with exhibitor Alsalan celebrating its 75-year legacy at the event, highlighting long-standing food trade ties between Saudi Arabia and India while strengthening future partnerships in the food and beverage sector.

State News

Third Indian Lighthouse Festival Successfully Held in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh

• The 3rd edition of the Indian Lighthouse Festival was organized by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways along with the Director General of Lighthouses and Lightships at MGM Park in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh from January 9-10, 2026. The festival was inaugurated by M. Venkaiah Naidu, former Vice President of India, who served as Chief Guest alongside Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal.
• During the festival, Union Minister Sonowal virtually laid the foundation stone for reconstruction of staff quarters at Junglighat, Sri Vijaya Puram in the Union Territory of Andaman & Nicobar Islands. He also virtually inaugurated a light and sound projection mapping show at Aguada Lighthouse in Goa, showcasing the technological advancement in lighthouse tourism.
• A significant Memorandum of Understanding was exchanged between Visakhapatnam Port Authority and the Director General of Lighthouses and Lightships for the development of a dedicated Lighthouse Museum in Visakhapatnam, which will preserve maritime heritage and promote lighthouse tourism in the region.
• On the sidelines of the festival at Sagarmala Conventions in Saligrampuram, Union Minister Sonowal laid foundation stones for four major port infrastructure development projects worth Rs 230 crore at Visakhapatnam Port Authority. These projects include upgradation of fire-fighting facilities at LPG berth (Rs 52.24 crore), upgradation of ORS Dry Dock (Rs 35.87 crore), construction of a new AOB (Rs 97.70 crore), and construction of residential apartments at Harbour Park (Rs 44.20 crore).

Science and Technology News

India’s Non-Fossil Fuel Electricity Capacity Reaches 266.78 GW, Marking 22.6% Growth

• According to data released by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy on January 10, 2026, India’s non-fossil fuel electricity capacity reached 266.78 Gigawatt in 2025, representing a significant 22.6% increase from 2024 levels. This capacity encompasses solar, wind, hydro, bioenergy and other clean energy sources, demonstrating India’s commitment to sustainable energy transition.
• The capacity breakdown includes solar power at 131.81 GW with approximately 38.8% growth, wind energy at 54.51 GW with approximately 13.2% growth, bioenergy at 11.61 GW, small hydro at 5.16 GW, and large hydro including pumped storage at 50.91 GW. India added 48 GW of renewable energy including hydropower during 2025 alone.
• This achievement represents over 50% progress toward India’s ambitious goal of reaching 500 GW of non-fossil capacity by 2030, positioning India alongside China and the United States as global leaders in renewable energy capacity. The milestone strengthens India’s commitment to the Paris Agreement and its pledge to achieve Net Zero emissions by 2070.
• The substantial growth in non-fossil fuel capacity demonstrates the Government of India’s strategic focus on clean energy infrastructure development and its dedication to reducing carbon emissions while meeting the nation’s growing energy demands through sustainable sources.

National News

India Post Launches Speed Post 24 and Speed Post 48 Services for Assured Delivery

• Union Minister Jyotiraditya M. Scindia from the Ministry of Communications announced two new India Post products, Speed Post 24 and Speed Post 48, during a program held at Pichor in Shivpuri district of Madhya Pradesh in January 2026. This initiative marks a major advancement in the ongoing modernization of India’s postal system with focus on punctuality and reliability.
• Speed Post 24 will deliver important documents and parcels to designated addresses within one day (24 hours), while Speed Post 48 will ensure delivery within two days (48 hours). These services set new standards for speed, reliability, and punctuality in the Indian Post network, competing with private courier services.
• During the same event, Union Minister Scindia inaugurated the renovated Pichhor sub-post office which was upgraded at a cost of Rs 2 lakh. He also laid the foundation stone for a new sub-post office building with an estimated construction cost of Rs 1.11 crore, improving postal infrastructure in the region.
• The Minister highlighted that the Department of Telecommunications, through the National Centre for Communication Security, has launched several transforming reforms aimed at strengthening indigenous manufacturing and testing capabilities, aligning with India’s self-reliance initiatives in the telecommunications and postal sectors.

Defence News

Indian Army Conducts Inaugural Military-Civil Fusion Exercise ‘Sanjha Shakti’ in Maharashtra

• The Indian Army conducted the first-ever two-day joint Military-Civil Fusion exercise named ‘Sanjha Shakti’ at Diggi Range, Khadki Military Station in Pune, Maharashtra from January 8-9, 2026. The exercise was organized under the aegis of the Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Goa area of Southern Command to strengthen coordination between military and civilian agencies.
• The exercise involved participation from the Indian Army and 16 key civilian agencies including Maharashtra Police, Force One, and fire and emergency services, with over 350 civilian personnel taking part. The objective was to enhance civil-military synergy, rapid response capability, and public safety in rear areas during emergencies and security challenges.
• Realistic, mission-oriented scenarios were tested during the exercise to validate interoperability, Standard Operating Procedures, communication protocols, and decision-making capabilities across different levels of command. The drill assessed seamless coordination mechanisms between military and civilian responders in crisis situations.
• The exercise successfully validated seamless coordination between military and civilian agencies, strengthened joint preparedness for emergency situations, and demonstrated the effectiveness of the Military-Civil Fusion framework in addressing security challenges and disaster response in rear areas.

National News

GAIL India Partners with PNGRB for National PNG Drive 2.0 Campaign

• GAIL (India) Limited, India’s largest state-owned natural gas company, partnered with the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board in January 2026 for the National PNG Drive 2.0, launching the nationwide “#NonStopZindagi” campaign running from January 1 to March 31, 2026. The campaign aims to promote adoption of Piped Natural Gas and Compressed Natural Gas across India.
• The initiative targets domestic PNG households, commercial establishments, industrial users, and CNG automobile consumers through a multi-platform approach combining digital outreach via social media, influencers, and platform-optimized videos with on-ground activations including Resident Welfare Association toolkits, mobile vans, and festival-themed messaging.
• The campaign supports the national goal of increasing natural gas share in India’s primary energy basket to 15% by 2030 and promotes a gas-based economy. PNGRB’s “One Nation, One Grid, One Tariff” framework standardizes transportation charges, integrates the national gas grid, and reduces costs for consumers across the country.
• The initiative emphasizes safety, reliability, convenience, cost efficiency, and environmental benefits of PNG and CNG while promoting the City Gas Distribution ecosystem. Standardized creative toolkits have been provided to CGD entities to ensure uniform messaging and measurable lead generation, reducing regional disparities in energy access.

Awards and Recognitions News

‘One Battle After Another’ Dominates 83rd Golden Globe Awards with Four Wins

• The 83rd Annual Golden Globe Awards, presented by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, were held on January 11, 2026, at the Beverly Hilton in California, USA, celebrating excellence in film and television for productions released in 2025. Comedian Nikki Glaser hosted the ceremony for the second consecutive year, often referred to as “Hollywood’s Party of the Year” and the world’s largest award show.
• The film “One Battle After Another,” directed by Paul Thomas Anderson, emerged as the most-awarded film, winning four Golden Globes out of nine nominations including Best Picture (Musical or Comedy), Director, Screenplay, and Supporting Actress. The television series “Adolescence,” directed by Philip Barantini, also won four Golden Globes including Best Limited Series, Best Actor (Limited Series), Best Supporting Actor (TV), and Best Supporting Actress (TV).
• Brazilian actor Wagner Moura made history by becoming the first Brazilian actor to win the Golden Globe for Best Performance by a Male Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama for his role in ‘The Secret Agent.’ This milestone represented a significant moment for Latin American representation in global cinema.
• The 2026 awards introduced a new category “Best Podcast” for the first time, broadening the Globes’ recognition of modern entertainment forums. American actress Amy Poehler won the inaugural Golden Globe for Best Podcast for “Good Hang With Amy Poehler.” Despite no Indian film nominations, Priyanka Chopra Jonas presented an award at the ceremony.

Awards and Recognitions News

BSE Receives Asia Best Employer Brand Award 2026 at Hong Kong Leadership Awards

• The Bombay Stock Exchange Limited, Asia’s first and oldest stock exchange, was conferred with the Asia Best Employer Brand Award 2026 at the Hong Kong Leadership Awards & Chief Marketing Officer Asia Awards held at InterContinental Grand Stanford in Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China in January 2026.
• BSE received this prestigious recognition for its people-first approach, commitment to professional development, and sustained efforts toward creating an inclusive, high-performance work environment. The award validates BSE’s Human Resources practices in the highly competitive financial services sector.
• This recognition reflects BSE’s continued efforts to build a strong workplace culture that empowers employees and fosters excellence across the organization. The award acknowledges the exchange’s dedication to employee engagement, professional growth opportunities, and creating a supportive work environment.
• The Asia Best Employer Brand Award aims to recognize excellence in workplace culture and employee engagement across Asian organizations. BSE’s win at this international platform demonstrates its standing as a leading employer in the financial services industry and its commitment to world-class HR practices.

Defence News

DRDO Successfully Tests Third-Generation Man-Portable Anti-Tank Guided Missile

• The Defence Research and Development Organization under the Ministry of Defence successfully conducted a flight test of the Third-Generation Man-Portable Anti-Tank Guided Missile with top-attack capability against a moving target on January 12, 2026, at the KK Ranges in Ahilya Nagar, Maharashtra. The test was conducted by the Defence Research & Development Laboratory of DRDO, Hyderabad, Telangana.
• The MPATGM is a lightweight, sophisticated anti-armour missile measuring approximately 1.3 meters long with a diameter of around 120 millimeters. The missile weighs approximately 14.5 kilograms and the Command Launch Unit weighs about 14.25 kilograms, making the system both portable and powerful for infantry use.
• The missile was launched from a tripod or military vehicle-mounted launcher during the test, which validated flight performance, accuracy, and effectiveness against moving and static armored targets. This third-generation, fire-and-forget anti-tank weapon was developed to enable infantry forces to destroy armored threats effectively.
• Bharat Dynamics Limited and Bharat Electronics Limited served as the Development-Cum-Production Partners for the system, ensuring indigenous manufacturing capability. The successful test demonstrates India’s growing self-reliance in advanced defense technology and its capability to produce sophisticated anti-tank guided missiles domestically.

Sports News

Karnataka Crowned Overall Champions at Khelo India Beach Games 2026

• Karnataka emerged as the overall champions of the second edition of Khelo India Beach Games 2026, India’s national multi-sport beach competition held at Ghoghla Beach in Diu, Union Territory of Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu from January 5-10, 2026. The event was organized by the Union Territory under technical supervision of the Sports Authority of India and various national sports federations.
• Karnataka secured a total of 11 medals including 3 gold, 2 silver, and 6 bronze to claim the top position. Tamil Nadu finished second with 8 medals (3 gold, 2 silver, and 3 bronze), while Manipur claimed third place with 7 medals (3 gold, 2 silver, and 2 bronze) in the overall standings.
• The competition featured six medal events including Beach Volleyball, Beach Soccer, Sepak Takraw, Beach Kabaddi, Pencak Silat, and Open Water Swimming, alongside demonstration events such as Mallakhamb and Tug-of-War. Over 1,100 athletes from 30 states and Union Territories competed across these disciplines.
• The games featured ‘Pearl’, a cheerful and energetic dolphin, as the official mascot welcoming athletes, support staff, volunteers, and stakeholders. Diu was adorned in festive spirit throughout the event, showcasing the Union Territory’s commitment to promoting beach sports and tourism in India.

Obituary News

Former Indian Hockey Olympian Davinder Singh Garcha Passes Away at 73

• Former Indian hockey player and Olympian Davinder Singh Garcha passed away at the age of 73 in Jalandhar, Punjab in January 2026. Born on December 7, 1952, in Amritsar, Punjab, he was honored with the Major Dhyan Chand Award in 2021, India’s highest lifetime achievement award in sports, by the Government of India in recognition of his exceptional contributions to hockey.
• Garcha was a key member of the Indian Hockey team that won the gold medal at the 1980 Moscow Olympics in Russia, India’s record 8th Olympic Gold medal. During the tournament, he scored 8 goals across 6 matches and played a pivotal role in India’s victory, particularly in the final match where India defeated Spain 4-3.
• Throughout his international hockey career, Garcha played over 30 international matches and scored 19 goals across 3 major tournaments. His exceptional performance and goal-scoring ability made him one of the most feared forwards during his playing days, contributing significantly to Indian hockey’s golden era.
• After retiring from hockey, Garcha served as a Deputy Inspector General in Punjab Police during his career as an Indian Police Service officer. He remained actively involved in promoting hockey, serving as President of Olympian Surjit Hockey Society and President of Mohinder Singh Munshi Hockey Tournament, an All India Under-19 tournament held in memory of the 1975 World Cup-winning team member.

Important Days News

National Road Safety Week 2026 Observed Across India from January 11-17

• National Road Safety Week is observed annually across India from January 11-17 to raise awareness about road safety by emphasizing responsible driving, pedestrian protection, and the importance of improved road infrastructure. The year 2026 marks the observance of the 37th National Road Safety Week since its inception by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways in 1989.
• The annual observance is led by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways with support from the National Safety Council of India under the Ministry of Labour and Employment to promote road safety awareness nationwide. The observance was extended to a month-long campaign in 2021 to increase its impact and reach.
• National Road Safety Month 2026, introduced by MoRTH and first observed in 2021, is being observed from January 1 to 31, 2026, with the theme “Sadak Suraksha Jeevan Raksha” (Road Safety, Life Safety). The theme promotes awareness among citizens and stakeholders about the critical importance of road safety.
• The campaign focuses on multiple aspects including responsible driving behavior, pedestrian safety measures, helmet and seatbelt compliance, avoiding drunk driving, and advocating for better road infrastructure to reduce accidents and fatalities on Indian roads.

Important Days News

National Youth Day 2026 Commemorates 163rd Birth Anniversary of Swami Vivekananda

• National Youth Day, also known as Rashtriya Yuva Divas and Vivekananda Jayanti, is observed across India on January 12 to commemorate the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda, a renowned Hindu spiritual leader, philosopher, and social reformer who played a significant role in shaping modern Indian thought. January 12, 2026, marks the 163rd birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda.
• The Government of India declared January 12 as National Youth Day in 1984, recognizing Swami Vivekananda’s philosophy and ideals as inspiring forces for Indian youth. The day was first celebrated across India on January 12, 1985, and has since become an important occasion to engage and empower the nation’s youth.
• The Department of Youth Affairs under the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports organized the 2nd edition of the Viksit Bharat Young Leaders’ Dialogue 2026 from January 9-12, 2026, at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, with the final day coinciding with National Youth Day. This reimagined national platform replaced the traditional National Youth Festival format.
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacted with participants and reviewed ten high-impact thematic presentations by young leaders during the dialogue. The event focused on ten national priority themes including Fit Bharat, Start-up India, Youth in Democracy, Women-Led Development, Cultural Diplomacy, Innovation with Tradition, Aatmanirbhar Bharat, Sustainable Agriculture, Green Viksit Bharat, and Future-Ready Workforce, empowering youth to actively shape India’s journey toward Viksit Bharat@2047.

State News

Andhra Pradesh Cabinet Approves Dagadarthi Greenfield Airport in Nellore District

• The Andhra Pradesh government cabinet approved the Dagadarthi greenfield airport project in Nellore district in January 2026, marking a major boost to the state’s aviation and industrial infrastructure. Following this approval, Dagadarthi will become the 8th airport of Andhra Pradesh, reflecting the state’s commitment to creating a future-ready, multi-modal logistics and industrial network.
• The strategically located airport will offer seamless connectivity to key National Highway corridors, two major ports (Krishnapatnam and Ramayapatnam), and prominent industrial clusters including Krishnapatnam Industrial Area (KRIS) City and Indian Farmers Fertilizer Cooperative Kisan Special Economic Zone in Andhra Pradesh.
• The airport will be developed in several phases over an area of 1,332.80 acres of land. Phase-I is designed to handle 1.4 million passengers annually, with capacity scalable to 15 million passengers annually in the future. The master plan includes provisions for a future cargo facility to support industrial output and port-led trade in the region.
• The project has received in-principle approval from the Ministry of Civil Aviation, and the Request for Proposal has been issued to invite private participation for development, operation, and maintenance under a long-term concession framework, ensuring professional management and sustainable growth of the airport facility.

Appointments and Resignations News

Justice Revati Mohite-Dere Becomes First Woman Chief Justice of Meghalaya High Court

• Justice Revati Mohite-Dere, a judge of the Bombay High Court, was sworn in as the first woman Chief Justice of Meghalaya High Court in January 2026. The oath of office was administered by Chandrashekhar H. Vijayashankar, Governor of Meghalaya, at the Durbar Hall of Lok Bhavan in Shillong. She succeeded Justice Soumen Sen, who was transferred to the Kerala High Court.
• Justice Mohite-Dere practiced criminal, civil, and constitutional law at the Bombay High Court and Sessions Court before her judicial appointment. She served in various important roles including Assistant Government Pleader for the Writ Cell at Bombay High Court, Senior Counsel for the Union of India, Government Pleader and Public Prosecutor for Maharashtra State, and Additional Public Prosecutor for the Union of India.
• She was appointed as an Additional Judge of the Bombay High Court on June 21, 2013, and was elevated as a permanent Judge on March 2, 2016. Her judicial career has been marked by significant contributions in constitutional law, criminal law, and handling Public Interest Litigations.
• High Court judges in India are appointed by the President under Article 217 of the Constitution of India. Justice Mohite-Dere’s appointment as the first woman Chief Justice of Meghalaya High Court represents an important milestone in judicial representation and gender diversity in India’s higher judiciary.