National News

PM Narendra Modi Inaugurates Grand International Exposition of Sacred Piprahwa Relics in Delhi

• On January 3, 2026, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Grand International Exposition of Sacred Piprahwa Relics titled “The Light and the Lotus: Relics of the Awakened One” at the Rai Pithora Cultural Complex in New Delhi. The exposition, organized by the Ministry of Culture under Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, marks the historic reunification of Piprahwa relics of Lord Buddha after 127 years of separation across various global locations.
• The exhibition showcases over 80 artefacts spanning from the 6th century BCE to the present, including sculptures, manuscripts, thangkas, gem relics, reliquaries, ritual objects, and the original monolithic stone coffer. The curation features immersive audio-visuals, digital reconstructions, and a reconstructed interpretive model inspired by the Sanchi Stupa to provide visitors with an enhanced educational experience.
• The repatriation of the Peppé family’s Piprahwa Buddhist relics was finalized on July 30, 2025, after the Ministry of Culture successfully halted an auction at Sotheby’s Hong Kong and secured their return through a first-of-its-kind Public-Private Partnership with Godrej Industries Group, with support from global Buddhist communities demonstrating international cooperation in cultural heritage preservation.
• For the first time since 1898, relics from the 1898 Kapilavastu excavation conducted by William Claxton Peppé, the 1971-75 excavations, and the repatriated Peppé family collection are displayed together in one location. The original Piprahwa relics were discovered at an ancient stupa identified with Kapilavastu, where Lord Buddha spent his early life, and were subsequently distributed among the King of Siam, England, and the Indian Museum in Kolkata, West Bengal.
• Senior dignitaries present at the inauguration included Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat (Ministry of Culture), Union Minister Kiren Rijiju (Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs), Union Minister of State Ramdas Athawale (Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment), Union MoS Rao Inderjit Singh (Ministry of Culture), and Lieutenant Governor of Delhi Vinai Kumar Saxena.

National News

Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan Unveils 184 New Crop Varieties Across 25 Crops in New Delhi

• On January 4, 2026, Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan of the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare and Ministry of Rural Development released 184 newly developed crop varieties across 25 different crops at an event held in New Delhi. During the announcement, the Minister highlighted that in the 2024-25 crop year, India achieved a historic milestone by becoming the world’s largest rice producer with 150.18 million tonnes, surpassing China’s production of 145.28 million tonnes.
• The 184 improved crop varieties were developed through collaborative efforts involving the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) under MoAFW which contributed 60 varieties, state and central agricultural universities which developed 62 varieties, and private seed companies which created 62 varieties, demonstrating the effectiveness of public-private research partnerships in agricultural innovation.
• The new releases include 122 cereal varieties encompassing 60 rice, 50 maize, 4 sorghum, 5 pearl millet, and one each of ragi, small millet, and proso millet varieties covering key staples and nutritious millets important for climate resilience. Additionally, the package includes 24 cotton varieties (22 of which are Bt cotton approved for commercial cultivation), 13 improved oilseed varieties including mustard, safflower, sesame, groundnut and castor, and 11 fodder crop varieties.
• The pulse crop category received 6 new varieties including pigeon pea (arhar), green gram (moong), and black gram (urd) to enhance protein availability for the population, while 6 high-yield and better-quality sugarcane varieties were also released. The comprehensive release also included one improved variety each of jute and tobacco, addressing diverse agricultural needs across different agro-climatic zones of India.

National News

42nd Foundation Day of DSIR: Relaxes 3-Year Eligibility Norm for Deep-Tech Startups

• On January 4, 2026, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Dr. Jitendra Singh of the Ministry of Science & Technology announced the removal of the mandatory 3-year existence condition for deep-tech startups to avail financial assistance of maximum Rs 1 crore under the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR)’s Industrial Research and Development Promotion Program (IRDPP) during the 42nd Foundation Day celebrations of DSIR.
• Union MoS Dr. Jitendra Singh launched four significant new initiatives during the event: the DSIR Guidelines for Recognition of In-House R&D Centres of Deep-tech startups (including the relaxation of the 3-year condition), the PRISM Network Platform (TOCIC Innovator Pulse) aimed at strengthening innovation pipelines, Creative India 2025 under the PRISM scheme to promote entrepreneurship, and the DSIR Disaster Management Plan to reinforce preparedness and resilience.
• The event witnessed the exchange of several key Memorandums of Understanding and agreements, including an Agreement under the Technology Development and Utilisation Programme for Women (TDUPW) to establish a Skill Satellite Centre at Dhamtari, Chhattisgarh, in partnership with National Institute of Technology Raipur. Transfer of Technology Agreements were also signed for technologies developed under the Common Research and Technology Development Hubs Programme supported by CSIR-Central Electronics Engineering Research Institute, Pilani, Rajasthan.
• The relaxation of eligibility norms represents a paradigm shift in supporting early-stage deep-tech startups, enabling them to access crucial government funding and recognition without waiting for three years of operational history. This policy change is expected to accelerate innovation in critical technology sectors and strengthen MSME-focused R&D infrastructure across the country, particularly benefiting startups working on cutting-edge scientific and industrial research projects.

National News

Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh Inaugurates SGA Farm and Research Institute & RAS Facility in Hyderabad, Telangana

• On January 5, 2026, Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh of the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying and Ministry of Panchayati Raj inaugurated the Smart Green Aquaculture (SGA) Farm and Research Institute in Hyderabad, Telangana, marking the establishment of India’s first commercial-scale tropical trout farm featuring a state-of-the-art Recirculating Aquaculture System (RAS) facility at Kandukur Mandal in Ranga Reddy district.
• The revolutionary facility represents a breakthrough in Indian aquaculture as it successfully cultivates Rainbow Trout, a cold-water fish species that normally thrives only in cool, well-oxygenated waters such as Himalayan rivers and hill streams in Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, and Sikkim, in the tropical climate of Telangana. Prior to this development, trout farming in India was mostly limited to cold regions because high temperatures typically stress the fish and reduce their survival and growth rates.
• SGA Limited has established this tropical RAS-based Rainbow Trout farm and research institute with advanced climate control and water management technologies that replicate optimal growing conditions for cold-water species in warmer environments. The project incorporates sophisticated automation and monitoring systems, biosecurity practices, and sustainable aquaculture methodologies that minimize water usage while maximizing production efficiency.
• Beyond commercial production, the facility serves as a live training and demonstration centre providing hands-on learning opportunities to youth in advanced aquaculture systems, automation and monitoring technologies, and biosecurity practices. This skill development component aims to create employment opportunities and build capacity in the Indian aquaculture sector while promoting sustainable fish farming practices that can be replicated across different climatic zones of the country.

International News

India’s AYUSH System Recognised in Bilateral Agreements with Oman and New Zealand

• In January 2026, the Ministry of Commerce & Industry announced that India’s traditional medical system encompassing Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy (AYUSH) has been formally recognised in bilateral agreements, including the India-Oman Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) and the India-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (FTA). This historic recognition was announced during the AYUSH Export Promotion Council (AYUSHEXCIL)’s 4th establishment anniversary celebrations held in New Delhi.
• The formal recognition of AYUSH systems in international trade agreements represents a significant diplomatic and commercial achievement, legitimizing India’s traditional medicine practices on the global stage and opening new export opportunities for AYUSH products and services. This integration into bilateral trade frameworks is expected to facilitate easier market access, reduce regulatory barriers, and enhance the credibility of Indian traditional medicine practitioners and products in these partner countries.
• The exports of AYUSH and herbal products demonstrated strong growth, increasing from USD 649.2 million in 2023-24 to USD 688.89 million in 2024-25, registering a growth of 6.11%. This upward trajectory indicates growing international acceptance and demand for Indian traditional medicine products, with the bilateral agreement recognition expected to further accelerate export growth in coming years.
• The AYUSHEXCIL has been designated as the anchoring agency for implementing the ‘Ayush Quality Mark programme’, which was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the 2nd WHO Summit on Traditional Medicine in New Delhi. The council, registered as a Section 8 company with the Registrar of Companies (Delhi) on January 4, 2022, and formally launched in April 2022 during the Global AYUSH Investment and Innovation Summit in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, plays a crucial role in promoting and standardizing AYUSH exports globally.

International News

India-Pakistan Exchange Nuclear Lists on January 1, 2026 (35th Consecutive Time)

• In January 2026, India and Pakistan exchanged lists of Nuclear Installations and Facilities through diplomatic channels simultaneously at New Delhi (India) and Islamabad (Pakistan), marking the 35th consecutive annual exchange of such lists between the two countries. This exchange was conducted under the Agreement on the Prohibition of Attack against Nuclear Installations and Facilities between the two nations, demonstrating continued adherence to bilateral confidence-building measures despite ongoing tensions.
• The agreement mandating this exchange was signed between India and Pakistan on December 31, 1988, and came into force on January 27, 1991. Both countries are required to inform each other of nuclear installations and facilities to be covered under the agreement on the 1st of January every calendar year, with the first exchange taking place on January 1, 1992, establishing a track record of 35 years of uninterrupted compliance.
• In addition to the nuclear installations list, both countries also exchanged lists of prisoners under the consular access pact signed on May 21, 2008. The Government of Pakistan handed over a list of 257 Indian prisoners including 199 fishermen and 58 other civilians currently in Pakistani custody, while India similarly provided information about Pakistani nationals detained in Indian prisons.
• As per the consular access pact, it is mandatory for both countries to exchange prisoner lists bi-annually at the start of January and July each year. This regular exchange mechanism serves humanitarian purposes by enabling consular access and maintaining records of detained nationals, while also functioning as a confidence-building measure alongside the nuclear installations list exchange. The Indian Constitution provides comprehensive protection for vulnerable populations including prisoners through Articles 21, 21(a), 29(2), 23, 24, 39(e), and 39(f).

International News

Supreme Court of India Signs MoU with Supreme Court of Bhutan to Exchange Young Legal Professionals

• In January 2026, Chief Justice of India Surya Kant announced that the Supreme Court of India has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with the Supreme Court of Bhutan to facilitate the exchange of young legal professionals and strengthen judicial cooperation between the two nations. The announcement was made in New Delhi and represents a pioneering judicial collaboration initiative aimed at promoting knowledge sharing and building long-term professional and institutional ties between the judiciaries of both countries.
• Under the terms of the MoU, two law clerks from Bhutan will be engaged by the Supreme Court of India for a three-month tenure in New Delhi, during which they will work in different courts to gain practical exposure to judicial functioning, legal procedures, and the Indian judicial system. The Bhutanese law clerks will receive the same honorarium as their Indian counterparts, ensuring parity and demonstrating India’s commitment to meaningful capacity-building partnerships.
• The judicial exchange initiative aims to provide young legal professionals with practical exposure to different judicial systems, promote cross-border understanding of legal frameworks and jurisprudence, and facilitate the exchange of best practices in court administration and case management. The participating law clerks will have opportunities to observe proceedings, engage with senior judges and legal professionals, and gain insights into comparative constitutional law and judicial decision-making processes.
• This bilateral judicial cooperation mechanism strengthens the historical ties between India and Bhutan while contributing to the professional development of legal practitioners in both countries. The exchange program is expected to foster mutual understanding, enhance legal scholarship, and potentially lead to expanded cooperation in areas such as judicial training, legal research, and the development of jurisprudence on matters of common interest to both nations.

Banking and Finance News

Tamilnad Mercantile Bank Partners with Tech-Fini to Bolster UPI Infrastructure

• On January 5, 2026, Tamilnad Mercantile Bank (TMB), one of India’s most trusted private sector lenders, entered into a strategic partnership with TechFini, a Unified Payments Interface (UPI) infrastructure and fintech solutions provider, to strengthen its UPI acquiring and issuing capabilities. Under this collaboration, TechFini will serve as a Technology Service Provider (TSP) for TMB, managing UPI switching operations via its advanced TechFini UPI Switch platform.
• This partnership will enable faster, secure, and scalable UPI infrastructure for Payment Aggregators, Non-Banking Financial Companies, merchants, and fintech partners across the country. The collaboration is specifically designed to expand UPI use cases in lending and collections using the UPI Autopay solution, which will enable automated Equated Monthly Instalment (EMI) and loan repayments directly from customers’ UPI handles, significantly streamlining the repayment process and reducing default risks.
• The TechFini UPI Platform offers a comprehensive cloud-native UPI ecosystem encompassing Third-Party Application Provider services, UPI Plugin Software Development Kit, acquiring and issuing infrastructure, and UPI Autopay functionality. The platform is built with robust scalability to handle up to 10,000 transactions per second, ensuring readiness for current transaction volumes and future UPI innovations as digital payment adoption continues to accelerate across India.
• This strategic partnership positions TMB to compete more effectively in the rapidly evolving digital payments landscape by leveraging TechFini’s specialized technical expertise and infrastructure capabilities. The collaboration is expected to enhance customer experience through seamless payment integration, reduce operational costs through automation, and enable TMB to offer innovative financial products that leverage UPI’s versatile payment infrastructure for both retail and commercial banking segments.

Science and Technology News

Indian Scientists Develop 3D-Printed Automatic Weather Stations Under Mission Mausam

• In January 2026, Indian scientists led by the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), Pune, under the Ministry of Earth Sciences, developed indigenously manufactured 3D-printed Automatic Weather Stations under Mission Mausam, marking a major advancement in enhancing India’s weather observation and forecasting capabilities. The first batch of these advanced stations is scheduled for deployment in Delhi from February 2026, followed by Mumbai, Kolkata, and Chennai over a six-month period.
• The AWS units are fully manufactured domestically using 3D-printing technology under the Make in India initiative, which significantly reduces production costs, allows for flexible and precise designs, and enables rapid prototyping and customization for different environmental conditions. The indigenously developed stations are low-cost, lightweight, and quick to deploy, enabling real-time, high-density weather data collection particularly in remote and disaster-prone areas where traditional weather stations are difficult to install or maintain.
• These automatic weather stations record and transmit critical meteorological parameters including temperature, wind speed, humidity, and rainfall in real-time without human intervention. The stations are solar-powered, making them suitable for deployment in both urban environments and remote locations without reliable electricity infrastructure. All instruments have been certified by the India Meteorological Department’s Surface Laboratory and the Bureau of Indian Standards, and will be installed alongside existing observatories for rigorous testing, calibration, and accuracy verification.
• The deployment strategy involves an initial production of 50 units with 80 additional units planned, focusing initially on major metropolitan areas to improve hyper-local forecasts in urban microclimates before expanding to complex terrains like the Himalayas. This initiative is part of Mission Mausam, approved by the Union Cabinet with a total budget of Rs. 2,000 crore for 2024-2026, aiming to upgrade meteorological infrastructure, fill observation gaps in urban and climate-sensitive regions, and enable accurate hyper-local weather forecasts across India through enhanced sensor density.

Defence News

DRDO Develops Portable Water Purification System ‘SWaDeS’ for Soldiers

• In January 2026, the Defence Laboratory Jodhpur under the Defence Research and Development Organisation developed a portable water purification system named ‘SeaWater Desalination System (SWaDeS)’, available in both manual-operated and engine-driven variants, specifically designed to supply safe drinking water to soldiers deployed in remote, coastal, and water-scarce regions. Both variants have successfully completed Acceptance Test Procedures validating their field reliability and operational readiness.
• The engine-operated variant can desalinate seawater with Total Dissolved Solids up to approximately 35,000 milligrams per litre, reducing it to below 500 mg/L to provide potable water for 20-25 soldiers, while the manual unit offers portability for supporting 10-12 personnel. The engine-operated system can be set up and operational within just 2-3 minutes, while manual units are specifically designed to support operations in remote or power-scarce areas where mechanized equipment cannot be deployed.
• The system features a specialized Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) water purification module, ensuring the provision of safe drinking water even in contaminated and high-risk environments where water sources may have been compromised by warfare agents or industrial contamination. This CBRN capability makes the system particularly valuable for military operations in potential conflict zones where water safety cannot be assured through conventional purification methods alone.
• SWaDeS is suitable for diverse military applications including naval operations on ships and submarines, coastal installations and island territories, inland saline lakes such as Pangong Tso in Ladakh where freshwater is unavailable, and long-range patrols in arid regions. The system addresses a critical operational requirement for the Indian Armed Forces by ensuring water security for troops operating in challenging environments where access to potable water is limited or non-existent, thereby enhancing operational sustainability and troop welfare.

Sports News

PM Narendra Modi Virtually Inaugurates 72nd National Volleyball Tournament in Varanasi, UP

• On January 4, 2026, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the 72nd edition of the National Volleyball Tournament (Senior National Championship) at Dr. Sampurnanand Sports Stadium in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, via video conferencing. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath was present along with other key dignitaries at the inaugural event, highlighting the significance of this major national sporting event.
• The tournament, organized by the Volleyball Federation of India in collaboration with the Uttar Pradesh government, is scheduled to run from January 4 to 11, 2026, and is expected to witness participation from over 1,000 players representing 58 teams from across the country. These teams represent various states, union territories, institutional bodies, and special categories, making it one of the most comprehensive national volleyball competitions in India.
• For this championship, the organizers unveiled two distinctive mascots that reflect local cultural and environmental significance: ‘Nandu’, inspired by the Nandi bull symbolizing strength, power, and athletic prowess, and ‘Neera’, representing the Ganga River Dolphin to promote environmental awareness about this endangered aquatic mammal endemic to the Ganges river system. These mascots add cultural resonance to the sporting event while promoting conservation messaging.
• The selection of Varanasi as the host city for this prestigious national championship aligns with the government’s strategy of promoting sports infrastructure and major sporting events in tier-2 cities beyond traditional metropolitan centers. The tournament provides a platform for emerging volleyball talent from across India to showcase their skills and compete at the highest domestic level, potentially leading to selection for national teams and international competitions.

Important Days News

National Siddha Day 2026 – January 6

• National Siddha Day is observed annually across India on January 6 to commemorate the birth anniversary of Sage Agathiyar, regarded as the father of the Siddha system of medicine, which coincides with the Ayilyam star in the Tamil month of Margazhi. The 9th National Siddha Day in 2026 is being observed with the theme “Siddha for Global Health,” emphasizing the international relevance and potential of this traditional Indian medical system.
• In 2017, the Ministry of Ayurveda, Yoga, Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy (AYUSH) approved the annual observance of Sage Agathiyar’s birthday as National Siddha Day, with the first-ever celebration taking place on January 4, 2018. This official recognition elevated the status of the Siddha system within India’s traditional medicine framework and provided institutional support for its preservation, research, and promotion.
• On January 3, 2026, Vice President of India C.P. Radhakrishnan inaugurated the 9th Siddha Day celebrations at Kalaivanar Arangam in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, marking the occasion with official ceremonies. During the event, the Ministry of AYUSH honored five eminent personalities for their outstanding contributions to the Siddha system of medicine, recognizing practitioners, researchers, and advocates who have advanced the field through clinical practice, academic research, or policy initiatives.
• The Siddha system of medicine is one of India’s oldest traditional medical systems, originating in Tamil Nadu and practiced primarily in southern India, with a comprehensive approach to health incorporating herbal medicines, dietary recommendations, lifestyle modifications, and spiritual practices. The annual observance serves to raise awareness about Siddha medicine’s therapeutic potential, promote research into its pharmacological basis, encourage integration with modern healthcare systems, and preserve traditional knowledge for future generations.

Important Days News

World Day of War Orphans 2026 – January 6

• World Day of War Orphans is observed annually on January 6 across the globe to raise awareness about children who have lost one or both parents to war, armed conflict, or political violence. A war orphan is specifically defined as a child who loses one or both parents in military service, while UNICEF defines an orphan more broadly as any child under 18 who has lost one or both parents from any cause, expanding the scope of vulnerability beyond conflict-related deaths.
• The observance was first proposed in 1994 by the French organization SOS Enfants en Detresse (SOS Children in Distress), with the inaugural World Day of War Orphans taking place on January 6, 1995. The historical context traces back to AD 400 when Romans established the first orphanage to support widows and orphans of soldiers who died in battle, offering aid until the age of 18, while in 1741, The Foundling Hospital in London became the first charity orphanage in the modern era.
• The global crisis affecting war orphans is staggering, with over 140-150 million children worldwide having lost parents, and conflicts in regions like Syria, South Sudan, Yemen, Afghanistan, and Ukraine leaving countless children vulnerable, displaced, and lacking access to basic necessities. Even children who are not technically orphaned face violence, malnutrition, lack of education, and psychological trauma in conflict zones, intensifying the humanitarian crisis and creating long-term developmental challenges.
• World Day of War Orphans highlights the critical importance of protecting children under the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, its Optional Protocol on children in armed conflict, and international humanitarian law which provides special protections for children in war zones. India’s constitutional framework includes provisions for orphan protection through Articles 21 (right to life), 21(a) (right to education), 29(2) (protection from discrimination), Articles 23 and 24 (prohibition of child trafficking and employment), Article 39(e) (protection against exploitation), and Article 39(f) (empowering the state to enact child protection laws).

State News

Assam Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya Inaugurates ‘Sanskaar Shaala’ for Children

• On January 4, 2026, Assam Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya inaugurated Sanskaar Shaala (also known as Shankar Shaala), a cultural and value-based learning initiative for children aged 4 to 14, at the Lohia Lions Auditorium in Guwahati, Assam. The program is designed to develop ethical, social, and cultural awareness in young learners through interactive learning methods, hands-on sessions, workshops, and skill-development activities.
• Sanskaar Shaala is designed for school and college students across Assam and is conducted under the guidance of the Governor’s office with active support from educational institutions throughout the state. The program engages children through experiential learning methodologies that foster holistic growth, social responsibility, and a strong understanding of Indian cultural and ethical values, moving beyond traditional classroom instruction to create immersive educational experiences.
• Simultaneously with the launch of Sanskaar Shaala, the Assam government also announced a new financial assistance scheme specifically for Udasin Bhakats, who are celibate Vaishnavite monks dedicated to spiritual practice, worship, and preserving the cultural and religious traditions of the Udasin satra system founded by 15th-century saint Srimanta Sankardeva in Assam. The term “Bhakat” means devotee or disciple, while “Udasin” means detached, referring to individuals who renounce worldly life in pursuit of spirituality.
• Under the financial assistance scheme, each eligible Udasin Bhakat will receive monthly financial support of Rs. 1,500 credited directly to their bank account to ensure their welfare and support the preservation of Assam’s cultural and religious heritage. Approximately 620 Udasin Bhakats have been identified as beneficiaries across Assam. The scheme is implemented under the guidance of the Assam Government with coordination from relevant religious and administrative bodies, demonstrating the state’s commitment to preserving traditional spiritual institutions.

State News

TN CM M.K. Stalin Announces ‘Tamil Nadu Assured Pension Scheme’

• In January 2026, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin announced the Tamil Nadu Assured Pension Scheme (TAPS) for state government employees and teachers, providing pension and retirement benefits equivalent to the Old Pension Scheme while retaining a contributory structure. The scheme guarantees an assured pension equal to 50% of last-drawn basic pay with Dearness Allowance revised twice yearly, addressing long-standing demands from government employees for restoration of assured pension benefits.
• Under TAPS, employees are required to contribute 10% of their basic pay, while the Tamil Nadu Government will bear the entire additional financial liability beyond the employee contribution. This represents a significant fiscal commitment, involving a one-time government contribution of Rs. 13,000 crore and an estimated annual contribution of around Rs. 11,000 crore, which is expected to rise with future salary revisions and as more employees join the scheme.
• The scheme provides comprehensive retirement security including a guaranteed pension of 50% of last-drawn basic pay, 60% family pension to nominees after the employee’s death, and gratuity up to Rs. 25 lakh on retirement or death during service based on length of service. The scheme also includes important safeguards such as ensuring minimum pension for employees retiring without qualifying service and special compassionate pension provisions for Contributory Pension Scheme employees who retired without pension before TAPS implementation.
• TAPS represents a major policy reversal from the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) that was implemented across Indian states following central government directives, which linked pension benefits to market performance of invested funds and was criticized for providing inadequate post-retirement security. Tamil Nadu joins several other states including Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Punjab, and Himachal Pradesh that have moved to restore assured pension benefits for government employees, reflecting growing political and administrative recognition of the need for guaranteed retirement security for public sector workers.

Appointments and Resignations News

Justice A Muhamed Mustaque Takes Oath as 24th Chief Justice of Sikkim High Court

• In January 2026, Justice Muhamed Mustaque Ayumantakatha, the senior-most Judge of Kerala High Court, was officially sworn in as the 24th Chief Justice of Sikkim High Court. The oath of office was administered by Om Prakash Mathur, Governor of Sikkim, at a ceremonial function held at the Lok Bhawan in Gangtok, Sikkim, attended by Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang, his council of ministers, and senior government and judicial officials.
• Justice Mustaque’s appointment was recommended by the Supreme Court Collegium headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, following which the Department of Justice under the Ministry of Law and Justice announced that President of India Droupadi Murmu approved the appointment under Article 217(1) of the Constitution of India. He succeeded Justice Biswanath Somadder who retired as Chief Justice of Sikkim High Court on December 14, 2025, while Justice Meenakshi Madan Rai is currently serving as Acting Chief Justice.
• Justice Mustaque enrolled as an advocate in 1989 and practiced before various courts and statutory authorities, mainly in Kannur, Kerala, building a distinguished career spanning over three decades in legal practice before elevation to the bench. His judicial career began with his appointment as an Additional Judge of Kerala High Court in 2014, followed by confirmation as a Permanent Judge in 2016, demonstrating consistent professional growth and judicial competence.
• During his tenure at Kerala High Court, Justice Mustaque served as Acting Chief Justice from July 2024 to September 2024, gaining valuable administrative experience in leading a High Court. He also served as Chairman of the Kerala High Court’s Computerisation Committee beginning September 18, 2019, continuing until his recent elevation, where he played a crucial role in digital transformation initiatives including e-filing systems, virtual court proceedings, and digitization of court records. His elevation to lead Sikkim High Court brings this extensive judicial and administrative experience to benefit the northeastern state’s justice system.