Science and Technology News

Rare Galaxy Frogs Feared Dead After Photo Tourism Disturbs Habitat in Western Ghats

• A scientific study published in December 2025 has documented the likely death of seven rare galaxy frogs (Melanobatrachus indicus) in the Western Ghats of Kerala, directly attributed to repeated disturbances caused by wildlife photographers seeking dramatic shots of the endangered species.
• The galaxy frog is endemic to India and classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, making it a species of significant conservation concern that requires careful habitat protection and minimal human interference for survival.
• The frogs were subjected to multiple forms of stress including habitat disruption through vegetation removal, direct physical handling for photographic positioning, and exposure to intense camera flashes that can disorient and harm amphibians with sensitive skin and eyes.
• This incident has brought urgent attention to the growing threat of unethical photo tourism, where the desire for viral wildlife content on social media platforms is directly contributing to the decline of fragile ecosystems and rare species populations.
• Conservation experts are calling for strict regulatory measures, including restricted access to sensitive habitats, mandatory permits for wildlife photography, ethical guidelines enforcement, and public awareness campaigns about the potentially lethal impact of irresponsible wildlife tourism practices.

National News

Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Announces Winners of ‘Badalta Bharat Mera Anubhav’ Campaign

• The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, in collaboration with the MyGov platform, has announced the winners of the ‘Badalta Bharat Mera Anubhav’ (Changing India My Experience) campaign, which invited Indian citizens to creatively document and share their personal experiences of India’s transformation over the past 11 years.
• The initiative is strategically aligned with India’s Viksit Bharat@2047 vision, which aims to transform India into a developed nation by 2047, and focuses on highlighting people-centric development initiatives and governance reforms that have directly impacted citizens’ lives.
• Winners were selected across multiple digital content categories including Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts, short audio-visual films, and blog posts, reflecting the government’s recognition of diverse storytelling formats and the democratization of narrative creation through digital platforms.
• The campaign witnessed strong citizen participation from across the country, with submissions showcasing improvements in infrastructure, digital services, healthcare access, financial inclusion, rural development, and other transformative government initiatives that have reshaped everyday life.
• The recognition of winners serves to amplify positive narratives about India’s development journey, encourage civic engagement through digital storytelling, and create a repository of citizen testimonials that document grassroots-level changes occurring across the nation.

Books and Authors News

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan to Release 41 New Books on India’s Classical Languages

• Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan is scheduled to release 41 new literary works that have been meticulously developed by the Central Institute of Indian Languages in collaboration with various Centres of Excellence dedicated to classical language preservation and promotion.
• The comprehensive collection includes works covering India’s officially recognized classical languages—Kannada, Telugu, Malayalam, and Odia—along with special publications on Tirukkural, the ancient Tamil literary masterpiece, and an innovative sign language series designed for inclusive communication.
• This initiative represents a significant governmental effort toward cultural preservation, ensuring that ancient knowledge systems, classical literature, philosophical texts, and linguistic heritage are made accessible to modern learners, researchers, and the general public in contemporary formats.
• The release of these books demonstrates India’s commitment to the constitutional mandate of protecting and promoting its linguistic diversity, particularly classical languages that carry millennia of accumulated wisdom, literature, scientific knowledge, and cultural traditions.
• The inclusion of sign language materials alongside classical language works reflects a progressive approach that combines cultural preservation with inclusivity, ensuring that India’s rich linguistic heritage is accessible to all citizens, including those with hearing and speech disabilities.

State News

India’s Largest Inland Rainbow Trout Farm Inaugurated in Telangana’s Ranga Reddy District

• India has inaugurated its largest inland Rainbow Trout farm in Ranga Reddy district, Telangana, marking a significant breakthrough in aquaculture technology as the facility successfully farms cold-water species in a traditionally warm inland climate unsuitable for trout cultivation.
• The ambitious ₹50 crore project has been established by SmartGreen Aquaculture, utilizing advanced recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS), temperature control technologies, and precision water quality management to create optimal conditions for trout farming far from natural cold-water habitats.
• This technological innovation is expected to revolutionize India’s aquaculture sector by reducing dependence on cold-water regions in the Himalayas, enabling year-round production of premium fish varieties, and significantly boosting employment opportunities in rural and semi-urban areas.
• The farm will enhance India’s nutritional security by providing access to high-protein, omega-3 rich fish to inland populations, while also positioning India as a potential exporter of Rainbow Trout to international markets where the species commands premium prices.
• The project demonstrates the application of Israeli and Norwegian aquaculture technologies adapted to Indian conditions, representing a model for climate-resilient and geographically flexible food production systems that can be replicated across other inland states.

State News

Rare Eastern Imperial Eagle Spotted at Mudumalai Tiger Reserve in Tamil Nadu

• The Eastern Imperial Eagle (Aquila heliaca), a rare and majestic winter migrant classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, was recently documented at Mudumalai Tiger Reserve in Tamil Nadu, marking a significant ornithological record for the protected area.
• This sighting highlights Mudumalai’s critical importance as a wintering habitat for migratory raptors traveling along the Central Asian Flyway, with the reserve providing essential stopover and foraging grounds for long-distance migrants escaping harsh winters in their breeding ranges.
• The presence of the Eastern Imperial Eagle underscores the health and ecological integrity of Mudumalai’s diverse landscape, which includes open grasslands, forest edges, scrubland, and water bodies that collectively support abundant prey populations including small mammals, birds, and reptiles essential for top predators.
• Conservation experts have emphasized that the reserve’s ability to attract such rare migratory species demonstrates successful habitat management, but have simultaneously cautioned that increasing tourism pressure, habitat fragmentation, and human disturbance pose emerging threats to these sensitive ecological zones.
• The documentation has reinforced calls for balanced conservation strategies that maintain Mudumalai’s ecological value for migratory species while managing visitor access through zoning, seasonal restrictions, and educational programs that promote responsible wildlife tourism practices.

Banking and Finance News

Delhi Government Signs Historic MoU with Reserve Bank of India for Financial Framework Integration

• The Delhi Government has entered into a landmark Memorandum of Understanding with the Reserve Bank of India, bringing the National Capital Territory under RBI’s comprehensive banking, cash management, and debt management framework for the first time in its administrative history.
• Under this transformative agreement, the RBI will function as the official banker, debt manager, and financial agent for the Delhi Government, enabling access to market borrowings, professional treasury operations, liquidity management, and structured debt servicing mechanisms previously unavailable to the capital territory.
• This financial integration is expected to significantly strengthen fiscal discipline and transparency in Delhi’s financial operations by subjecting government transactions to RBI’s rigorous oversight, reporting standards, and regulatory frameworks that apply to other state governments across India.
• The arrangement will provide the Delhi Government with access to lower-cost liquidity through Ways and Means Advances (WMA), facilitate better cash flow management, enable participation in securities markets for government borrowing, and improve overall financial sustainability through professional debt structuring.
• This historic move aligns Delhi’s financial practices with national fiscal standards and constitutional frameworks, potentially serving as a model for other Union Territories and enhancing coordination between state-level fiscal operations and national monetary policy management.

Appointments and Resignations News

Justice A Muhamed Mustaque Sworn in as 24th Chief Justice of Sikkim High Court

• Justice A Muhamed Mustaque was formally sworn in as the Chief Justice of the Sikkim High Court on January 4, 2026, assuming office as the 24th person to hold this prestigious constitutional position in the Himalayan state’s judicial administration.
• Prior to this appointment, Justice Mustaque served as the Acting Chief Justice of the Kerala High Court, bringing extensive judicial experience, legal expertise, and administrative capabilities to his new role in Sikkim’s justice delivery system.
• The oath of office was administered by Sikkim Governor Om Prakash Mathur in a formal ceremony held at the Raj Bhavan, following the constitutional provisions that govern the appointment and swearing-in of High Court Chief Justices across Indian states.
• Justice Mustaque succeeds Justice Biswanath Somadder, ensuring institutional continuity in the Sikkim High Court while bringing fresh perspectives and leadership to address pending cases, judicial reforms, and the modernization of court infrastructure and processes.
• This appointment is viewed as a significant step toward strengthening judicial administration in Sikkim, a strategically important border state, where the High Court plays a crucial role in interpreting both Indian constitutional law and Sikkim’s unique legal provisions stemming from its merger with India in 1975.

National News

Prasar Bharati Plans to Restart Thadou Language Radio Broadcasts from All India Radio Imphal

• Prasar Bharati, India’s public service broadcaster, is preparing to resume live radio broadcasts in the Thadou language from All India Radio (AIR) Imphal, marking the restoration of programming that was suspended during the ethnic violence that engulfed Manipur beginning in May 2023.
• The Thadou community is an indigenous Kuki-Zo tribal group officially recognized under the Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order of 1956 for Manipur, and the resumption of broadcasts acknowledges their linguistic rights and need for representation in public media.
• The restoration process involves comprehensive administrative preparations including recruitment of Thadou-speaking announcers and program producers, development of culturally relevant content, technical infrastructure upgrades, and coordination with community leaders to ensure programming meets local needs.
• This initiative supports multiple objectives including cultural preservation of the Thadou language and oral traditions, ensuring community representation in state media, providing access to government information in native languages, and potentially contributing to peacebuilding efforts by giving voice to communities affected by the ongoing ethnic conflict.
• The resumption of Thadou broadcasts reflects the government’s recognition that inclusive media representation, particularly in linguistically diverse and conflict-affected regions, plays a vital role in maintaining social cohesion, cultural identity, and equitable access to information and public services.

International News

India Introduces New e-Business Visa Category for Chinese Nationals

• The Indian government has launched a new electronic business visa category designated as the e-B-4 Visa, specifically designed for Chinese nationals seeking to engage in business activities in India, marking a significant development in India-China bilateral relations amid ongoing geopolitical complexities.
• The new visa category allows Chinese business professionals to apply online through India’s digital visa platform, streamlining the application process and reducing bureaucratic delays that have previously complicated business travel between the two Asian giants.
• The e-B-4 Visa permits stays of up to six months and is specifically intended for business activities including production supervision, investment evaluation and implementation, machinery installation and commissioning, technical training programs, and visits by senior management personnel overseeing operations.
• This visa initiative supports regulated business engagement between India and China, particularly in manufacturing sectors where Chinese investment and technical expertise have been sought for India’s industrial development, while maintaining security screening and monitoring mechanisms.
• The introduction comes as India seeks to balance economic pragmatism with security concerns, facilitating necessary business cooperation in sectors like electronics manufacturing, renewable energy, and infrastructure while maintaining careful oversight of Chinese business activities within Indian territory.

International News

Donald Trump Invokes Monroe Doctrine to Justify Potential Military Action in Venezuela

• The 201-year-old Monroe Doctrine has returned to international spotlight after former President and 2024 Republican frontrunner Donald Trump invoked the 1823 American foreign policy principle to justify potential military intervention in Venezuela, reigniting debates about US interventionism in Latin America.
• The Monroe Doctrine was originally proclaimed by President James Monroe on December 2, 1823, establishing the principle that the Western Hemisphere was closed to future European colonization and that any European interference in the Americas would be viewed as hostile acts against the United States.
• Over the subsequent two centuries, the doctrine evolved from a defensive policy against European imperialism into a justification for extensive US intervention throughout Latin America, including military occupations, support for coups, economic pressure, and the installation of US-friendly governments during the Cold War era.
• Trump’s invocation of this 19th-century doctrine to justify 21st-century military action has sparked intense criticism from international law experts, Latin American governments, and foreign policy analysts who view it as an anachronistic assertion of imperial prerogatives that violates contemporary principles of national sovereignty and non-interference.
• The controversy has reopened fundamental questions about the legitimacy of using historical doctrines formulated in vastly different geopolitical contexts to justify modern interventions, the relationship between American security interests and Latin American sovereignty, and whether unilateral military action can be justified under international law.

International News

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz to Undertake Official Visit to India on January 12-13, 2026

• German Chancellor Friedrich Merz will undertake an official bilateral visit to India on January 12-13, 2026, representing one of his first major international engagements as Germany’s head of government and signaling the strategic importance both nations place on strengthening their comprehensive partnership.
• The high-level visit aims to deepen India-Germany ties across multiple strategic domains including bilateral trade expansion, technology transfer and collaboration, coordinated climate action initiatives, and enhanced cooperation in global governance forums including the United Nations, G20, and multilateral institutions.
• Substantive discussions during the visit are expected to cover priority areas such as German investment in India’s manufacturing sector, cooperation in clean energy and green hydrogen technologies, digital transformation and Industry 4.0 collaborations, defense equipment partnerships, and coordination on shared geopolitical challenges including China’s rising influence.
• Germany currently serves as India’s largest trading partner within the European Union and a key collaborator in advanced manufacturing, automotive technology, renewable energy transition, and skill development programs aligned with India’s Make in India and Skill India initiatives.
• The visit is expected to produce concrete outcomes including new investment commitments, technology partnership agreements, educational exchange programs, and joint statements on regional security issues, further solidifying the India-Germany Strategic Partnership established in 2000 and elevated to a comprehensive level in recent years.

Banking and Finance News

Rising Loan-to-Deposit Ratios Reach Record 81% Putting Pressure on Indian Banking System

• India’s banking sector is experiencing significant liquidity pressure as the loan-to-deposit ratio (LDR) has surged to a record high of 81% during the December 2025 quarter, indicating that credit growth is substantially outpacing deposit mobilization across the financial system.
• The elevated LDR reflects strong loan demand driven by economic recovery, infrastructure investment, retail credit expansion, and corporate borrowing, while deposit growth has remained relatively subdued due to competition from alternative investment options including mutual funds, equities, and government securities offering attractive returns.
• High loan-to-deposit ratios are limiting banks’ operational flexibility by reducing the cushion of excess deposits available for lending, increasing reliance on wholesale funding sources, and potentially constraining banks’ ability to meet sudden credit demand or deposit withdrawals without accessing expensive market borrowings.
• The liquidity squeeze is raising the risk that banks will need to offer higher interest rates on deposits to attract funds, which would squeeze net interest margins (the difference between lending and borrowing rates), potentially reducing profitability and limiting banks’ ability to pass on benefits of future RBI policy rate cuts to borrowers.
• Unless deposit growth accelerates significantly through improved savings rates, financial literacy initiatives, or economic conditions that favor bank deposits over alternative investments, the banking system may face continued pressure that could slow credit expansion and impact overall economic growth momentum.

Banking and Finance News

Karur Vysya Bank Reduces Base Rate and BPLR Effective January 7, 2026

• Karur Vysya Bank, a prominent scheduled commercial bank headquartered in Tamil Nadu, has announced a reduction in its Base Rate from 11.15% to 10.70% and its Benchmark Prime Lending Rate (BPLR) from 16.15% to 15.70%, with the changes taking effect from January 7, 2026.
• The 45 basis point reduction in both benchmark rates will directly benefit borrowers whose legacy loans are linked to these older rate benchmarks, which were used before the transition to external benchmark-linked lending rates mandated by the Reserve Bank of India for new loans.
• This rate cut will lower the effective interest burden on existing home loans, vehicle loans, personal loans, and business loans that continue to be serviced under the Base Rate and BPLR systems, providing tangible financial relief through reduced EMIs or shortened loan tenures.
• The decision reflects an overall easing in the bank’s lending rates and may be influenced by improving liquidity conditions, competitive pressure in the lending market, the bank’s asset-liability management strategy, or expectations of future monetary policy developments.

Banking and Finance News

Reserve Bank of India Holds Inaugural Meeting of Payments Regulatory Board in Mumbai

• The Reserve Bank of India convened the first-ever meeting of the newly constituted Payments Regulatory Board (PRB) under the chairmanship of RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra at the central bank’s headquarters in Mumbai, marking a significant institutional development in India’s digital payments governance framework.
• The Payments Regulatory Board has been formally constituted under the provisions of the Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007, and is vested with comprehensive authority to oversee, regulate, and supervise all payment and settlement systems operating in India, ensuring their safety, efficiency, security, and continuous innovation.
• During the inaugural meeting, the board conducted an extensive review of both domestic and global payment trends, including the rapid growth of UPI transactions, the emergence of central bank digital currencies, cross-border payment integration initiatives, and evolving cybersecurity threats in the digital payments ecosystem.
• The PRB was presented with the draft Payments Vision 2028 document, which outlines strategic objectives, regulatory priorities, technological infrastructure upgrades, financial inclusion targets, and security frameworks for India’s payment systems over the next four years.
• The board also discussed comprehensive findings from the RBI’s Digital Payments Survey, which captures consumer behavior, merchant adoption patterns, digital literacy levels, and infrastructure gaps, highlighting India’s growing leadership role in creating secure, inclusive, and technologically advanced digital finance ecosystems that serve as models for emerging economies worldwide.

Defence News

DRDO Develops Hand-Operated Sea Water Desalination System for Soldiers in Remote Areas

• The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has successfully developed an innovative hand-operated Sea Water Desalination System (SWaDeS) designed to provide safe drinking water to Indian soldiers deployed in remote, coastal, high-altitude, and water-scarce operational areas where conventional water supply is unavailable or unreliable.
• The portable desalination system was designed and developed by the Defence Laboratory in Jodhpur, Rajasthan, and employs reverse osmosis technology powered by manual operation, capable of converting highly saline water with Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) levels of 35,000 mg/L into potable water with TDS below 500 mg/L, meeting WHO drinking water standards.
• The system is available in two configurations: a manual hand-operated version designed to support 10-12 soldiers producing approximately 30-40 liters of drinking water per hour, and a larger engine-operated version capable of serving 20-25 personnel with higher water output for larger tactical units.
• This technological innovation significantly enhances operational self-sufficiency by eliminating dependence on external water supply chains in forward areas, border outposts, island territories, desert deployments, and high-altitude positions where water scarcity poses serious challenges to troop survival and combat readiness.
• The lightweight, portable, and easily maintainable design makes SWaDeS particularly valuable for special forces operations, naval deployments, coastal security units, and emergency disaster relief operations where rapid deployment of safe drinking water facilities can be critical to mission success and personnel welfare.

Defence News

India Commissions ICGS Samudra Pratap, First Indigenous Pollution Control Vessel

• Raksha Mantri (Defence Minister) Rajnath Singh commissioned the Indian Coast Guard Ship (ICGS) Samudra Pratap at a ceremony held in Goa on January 5, 2026, marking a historic milestone as India’s first indigenously designed and built specialized Pollution Control Vessel.
• The vessel was constructed by Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL) with over 60% indigenous content, incorporating domestically manufactured equipment, systems, sensors, and technologies, reflecting India’s growing capabilities in specialized maritime vessel construction under the Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India) initiative.
• ICGS Samudra Pratap is specifically equipped with advanced pollution response equipment including oil spill recovery systems, dispersant spraying mechanisms, firefighting capabilities, pollution monitoring sensors, and specialized containment equipment designed to respond to maritime environmental disasters including oil spills, chemical leaks, and other pollutants threatening India’s coastline.
• Beyond pollution control, the multi-role vessel will strengthen coastal security through surveillance patrols, support search and rescue operations, conduct maritime firefighting, assist in disaster response, and undertake long-duration patrols across India’s Exclusive Economic Zone covering over 2 million square kilometers.
• The commissioning represents a major advancement toward building a self-reliant and technologically capable Indian Coast Guard, while the vessel’s design inclusivity features make it one of the first Indian naval vessels specifically designed to accommodate women officers, reflecting progressive gender integration in India’s maritime forces.

Important Days News

9th Siddha Day 2026 Celebrates India’s Ancient Medical Heritage

• Siddha Day is observed annually on January 6 to commemorate the birth anniversary of Siddhar Agathiyar (also known as Agastya Muni), revered as the founding father of the Siddha system of medicine, one of India’s oldest traditional medical systems with origins dating back over 5,000 years.
• The year 2026 marks the 9th annual observance of Siddha Day, an initiative supported by the Ministry of AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homoeopathy), which aims to promote awareness, research, education, and integration of traditional Indian medical systems into modern healthcare.
• The Siddha system originated in Tamil Nadu and is primarily practiced in southern India, based on the principle that the human body is a microcosm of the universe, emphasizing balance between body, mind, and spirit through herbal medicines, dietary modifications, yoga, meditation, and spiritual practices.
• Siddha Day celebrations highlight the system’s holistic approach to health emphasizing disease prevention rather than mere treatment, its extensive pharmacopeia of mineral and herbal formulations, its unique diagnostic methods including pulse examination and physical assessment, and its continued relevance in managing chronic diseases, lifestyle disorders, and preventive healthcare.
• The observance includes medical camps, seminars, research presentations, publication releases, recognition of Siddha practitioners, and public awareness programs designed to integrate this ancient wisdom into India’s National Health Mission and promote its potential contributions to integrative and complementary medicine frameworks globally.

Important Days News

World Day of War Orphans Observed on January 6 to Highlight Children’s Suffering in Conflict Zones

• World Day of War Orphans is observed annually on January 6 to draw global attention to the plight of millions of children who lose one or both parents due to wars, armed conflicts, civil violence, and military operations that continue to devastate communities across the world.
• The observance was initiated by the French humanitarian organization SOS Enfants en Détresse (SOS Children in Distress), which recognized the need for a dedicated day to advocate for war orphans who often become invisible victims of conflicts, suffering consequences long after hostilities end.
• War orphans face compounded vulnerabilities including severe emotional and psychological trauma from witnessing violence and losing parents, physical dangers from unexploded ordnance and ongoing conflict, acute lack of care and basic necessities including food, shelter, healthcare, and education, and heightened risks of exploitation, trafficking, child labor, and recruitment into armed groups.
• The day serves as a platform for international organizations, governments, NGOs, and civil society to raise awareness about the urgent need for protection mechanisms, rehabilitation programs, psychosocial support, educational opportunities, legal safeguards, and social reintegration initiatives specifically designed for war-affected children.
• Observances include advocacy campaigns, fundraising initiatives, policy discussions, memorial events, and calls for global action to strengthen the implementation of international humanitarian law, the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, and other legal frameworks designed to safeguard children’s rights and well-being in conflict zones and post-conflict societies worldwide.