National News

Government Approves Nutrient-Based Subsidy Rates for Rabi 2025–26 Season

• The Government of India approved Nutrient-Based Subsidy (NBS) rates for the Rabi 2025–26 season (October 1, 2025 to March 31, 2026) for Phosphatic and Potassic (P&K) fertilizers, including Di-Ammonium Phosphate (DAP) and NPKS grades, with a tentative budgetary allocation of Rs. 37,952.29 crore, approximately Rs. 736 crore higher than the Kharif 2025 season allocation.
• The NBS rates for Rabi 2025–26 are set at Rs. 43.02 per kg for Nitrogen, Rs. 47.96 per kg for Phosphorus, Rs. 2.38 per kg for Potassium, and Rs. 2.87 per kg for Sulphur, with the DAP subsidy increased to Rs. 29,805 per metric tonne from Rs. 21,911 in Rabi 2024-25 to protect farmers from international price volatility.
• The policy features fixed subsidies with a decontrolled P&K sector where companies set Maximum Retail Prices under government oversight, with subsidies passed directly to farmers, while fertilizers fortified or coated with Boron or Zinc receive additional incentives of Rs. 300 and Rs. 500 per MT respectively under the Fertilizer Control Order.
• Domestic production of P&K fertilizers (DAP and NPKS) increased by over 50%, rising from 112.19 Lakh Metric Tonnes in 2014 to 168.55 LMT by December 30, 2025, while foodgrain productivity grew from 1,930 kg per hectare in 2010–11 to 2,578 kg per hectare in 2024–25.

Science and Technology News

Union Minister Inaugurates World-Class Laboratories at CSIR-NPL in New Delhi

• Union Minister of State Dr. Jitendra Singh inaugurated the National Environmental Standard Laboratory (NSEL) and the National Primary Standard Facility for Solar Cell Calibration at the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research – National Physical Laboratory campus in New Delhi on January 5, 2026, during its 80th Foundation Day celebrations.
• The NSEL is Asia’s first and the world’s second pollution monitoring facility after the United Kingdom, designed to test, calibrate, and certify air pollution monitoring devices, strengthening domestic capabilities and reducing reliance on foreign certification agencies while supporting the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) with accurate and transparent environmental data.
• The National Primary Standard Facility for Solar Cell Calibration was developed in collaboration with Germany’s Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB) using a Laser-based Differential Spectral Responsivity system, achieving the world’s lowest calibration uncertainty of 0.35% (k=2) and making India the fifth country globally to possess such a facility alongside USA, Germany, Japan, and China.
• The solar cell calibration facility reduces India’s dependence on foreign certification, saves foreign exchange, and boosts investor confidence in the solar sector by enabling high-precision testing under the World Photovoltaic Scale (WPV) standards.

Defence News

Indian Army Creates Modern Warfare Force ‘Bhairav’ with Advanced Drone Capabilities

• The Indian Army announced the creation of a modern warfare force named ‘Bhairav’ designed to enhance India’s combat capabilities by integrating drone technology and establishing a pool of over 1 lakh trained drone operatives to tackle the complexities of contemporary warfare through advanced drone operations.
• The Bhairav battalions are specifically created to provide a dedicated force for high-speed, offensive operations and Special Forces tasking at various levels, bridging the gap between Para Special Forces and regular Infantry battalions while carrying out special operations at tactical to operational depth with drones used in real operations to target enemy bases and formations.
• Approximately 15 Bhairav battalions have been raised and deployed across various formations along both borders, with the Indian Army planning to raise around 25 such battalions in the near future, marking their first appearance at the Indian Army Day Parade in Jaipur, Rajasthan on January 15, 2026.
• Complementing the Bhairav force, the Indian Army has also created ‘Rudra Brigades,’ which are all-arms formations combining infantry, mechanised units, tanks, artillery, special forces, and Unmanned Aerial Systems to meet operational requirements of modern warfare scenarios.

Defence News

Indian Army Signs Rs. 293 Crore Contract for Indigenous ‘Suryastra Rocket Launch System’

• The Indian Army signed an Emergency Procurement contract worth Rs. 293 crores with NIBE Limited on January 4, 2026, for the procurement of the Suryastra rocket launcher system to enhance the Army’s long-range precision strike capability and bolster its artillery modernization program under the Make in India and Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiatives.
• Suryastra is India’s first indigenously developed, multi-calibre, long-range, precision-guided rocket launcher system capable of striking targets at ranges of 150-300 kilometers with very high accuracy (Circular Error Probable less than 5 meters), produced in collaboration with Israel’s Elbit Systems and adapted from Israeli Precise & Universal Launching System (PULS) technology.
• The universal launcher can fire different types of guided rockets and loitering munitions from a single platform, is compatible with short- and long-range guided rockets and large-caliber precision rockets, and uses high-mobility ‘shoot-and-scoot’ tactics to deliver flexible, deep-strike firepower while minimizing vulnerability to enemy counter-battery fire.
• The system is mounted on a BEML High Mobility Vehicle 6×6 truck, offering high tactical mobility, rapid deployment, effective shoot-and-scoot capability, strong off-road performance, and payload capacity for operations across diverse terrains, with the Emergency Procurement contract enabling quick delivery within 6-12 months to meet urgent operational needs.

National News

ONGC Signs MoU with Ministry of Tribal Affairs to Empower Eklavya Model Schools

• Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the National Scheduled Tribes Finance and Development Corporation under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs on January 5, 2026, in New Delhi to strengthen Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) through Rs. 28 crore Corporate Social Responsibility funding across 144 schools in 11 states and Union Territories.
• The MoU aims to empower tribal students enrolled in EMRS by supporting digital learning infrastructure, career mentorship and counselling, capacity building of teachers, health and hygiene facilities, and entrepreneurship training to bridge educational gaps and open future opportunities for tribal children.
• EMRS is a central government scheme launched in Financial Year 1997-98 under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, designed to provide quality, holistic education to tribal children in residential school settings with comprehensive facilities and support systems.
• The initiative represents ONGC’s commitment to social responsibility and tribal welfare, leveraging its CSR resources to address educational disparities and create pathways for tribal students to access better educational outcomes and career opportunities.

Defence News

Indian Air Force Commemorates 25 Years of Indigenous Tejas Light Combat Aircraft

• The Indian Air Force marked the 25th anniversary of the historic maiden flight of the indigenously developed Tejas Light Combat Aircraft on January 4, 2026, celebrating a quarter-century since Wing Commander Rajiv Kothiyal flew the Technology Demonstrator-1 (TD-1) from HAL airport in Bengaluru, Karnataka on January 4, 2001.
• The Light Combat Aircraft programme was established by the Government of India in 1983 with the initial goal of developing indigenously built aircraft to replace the obsolete fleet of the Indian Air Force, marking a significant step toward self-reliance in defense manufacturing and aviation technology.
• The maiden flight test initiated Tejas’ extensive evaluation process, leading to its successful induction into the Indian Air Force and the development of advanced variants like Tejas Mk-1A, demonstrating India’s capability in designing and manufacturing sophisticated fighter aircraft with indigenous technology and engineering expertise.
• In late 2025, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited secured a major order for 97 more Mk-1A jets in a deal worth more than Rs. 62,370 crore, with VEM Technologies delivering the first centre fuselage assembly for LCA Tejas Mk 1A in May 2025 and the second in September 2025, accelerating production capabilities for the advanced variant.

National News

Ministry Sets Up Live Events Development Cell to Boost Concert Economy

• The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting established a Live Events Development Cell (LEDC) in July 2025 under Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw to boost India’s concert and live entertainment economy, which was valued at approximately Rs. 20,861 crore in 2024 and is projected to grow at a Compound Annual Growth Rate of around 18% through 2030.
• The LEDC includes officials from the Centre, states, industry bodies, and major event companies to coordinate policy and promote sector growth, streamlining approvals, permissions, and coordination with government departments for large-scale live events across the country.
• The cell aims to position India as a leading global destination for live events by 2030 by creating a comprehensive support system that addresses regulatory challenges, simplifies processes, and facilitates the organization of international-standard concerts and entertainment events.
• The live entertainment economy covers all concert-related activities including tickets, merchandise, food and beverage sales, driving broader economic impact beyond ticket revenues and creating employment opportunities across multiple sectors including hospitality, logistics, security, and creative services.

Science and Technology News

Financial Software and Systems Achieves First AI Management Certification in Payments Sector

• Financial Software and Systems (FSS) became the first payments company in India, the Middle East, Asia-Pacific, and South Africa to earn the ISO/IEC 42001 Certification on January 6, 2026, highlighting its commitment to responsible and trustworthy use of Artificial Intelligence across its digital payments platforms.
• The ISO/IEC 42001 is the world’s first international standard for Artificial Intelligence Management Systems, recognizing organizations that demonstrate responsible, ethical, and trustworthy use of AI while establishing a structured governance framework ensuring AI systems are transparent, accountable, and explainable.
• The certification aims to ensure responsible and ethical AI use by establishing governance frameworks that mitigate risks such as bias, unintended outcomes, and regulatory non-compliance, demonstrating FSS’s leadership in implementing AI safety and ethics standards in the financial technology and payments sector.
• This achievement positions FSS as an industry leader in AI governance within the payments industry across multiple regions, setting a benchmark for other companies in the sector to follow in terms of responsible AI deployment and management practices.

Banking and Finance News

IDFC FIRST Bank Launches Premium Zero-Forex Credit Card for International Travelers

• IDFC FIRST Bank launched the ‘Zero-Forex Diamond Reserve Credit Card’ in January 2026, a premium offering for frequent international travelers providing zero foreign exchange markup on international transactions along with comprehensive travel and lifestyle rewards with an annual fee of Rs. 3,000 plus GST (waived from second year on annual spends of Rs. 6 lakh).
• The card offers extensive travel insurance benefits including domestic and international lounge access with Rs. 20,000 monthly spend, airport meet-and-greet on USD 1,000 annual spend, Rs. 25,000 trip cancellation coverage, lost baggage and flight delay cover, Rs. 1 crore air accident insurance, and Rs. 10 lakh personal accident cover.
• Cardholders earn up to 60 reward points per Rs. 150 spent on hotels, 40 points on flights, and 10 points on other spends, with each point worth Rs. 0.25, featuring lifetime validity with no cap and convenient online redemption options for maximum value realization.
• The card features dynamic interest rates starting from 8.5% per annum, 0% interest on global ATM withdrawals until due date (Rs. 199 fee applicable), fuel surcharge waiver at select outlets, and new customers receive a Rs. 500 gift voucher on spending Rs. 5,000 within 30 days of activation.

Banking and Finance News

ONGC Partners with Japanese Shipping Giant for Ethane Transportation Joint Ventures

• The Oil and Natural Gas Corporation partnered with Mitsui OSK Lines, a Japanese shipping company, on January 5, 2026, to establish two Joint Ventures to enter the ethane shipping business, with backing from the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas and the Department of Investment and Public Asset Management under the Ministry of Finance.
• The two Joint Ventures—Bharat Ethane One IFSC Private Limited and Bharat Ethane Two IFSC Private Limited—are registered in GIFT-City, Gandhinagar, Gujarat, with ONGC holding a 50% stake and MOL holding the remaining 50% in each venture, representing equal partnership in the specialized shipping operation.
• Each Joint Venture will own one Very Large Ethane Carrier (VLEC), specialized ships designed for transporting ethane safely and efficiently from the United States to India, meeting the feedstock requirements of ONGC Petro Additions Limited (OPaL), the petrochemical arm of ONGC.
• This initiative aligns with the Government of India’s vision of Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision (MAKV) 2047, strengthening India’s maritime capabilities in specialized chemical transportation and ensuring reliable supply chains for the country’s growing petrochemical sector while reducing dependence on third-party shipping services.

Banking and Finance News

India Ratings Projects Indian Economy Growth at 6.9% for FY27 Amid Challenges

• India Ratings and Research projected India’s GDP growth rate at 6.9% for Financial Year 2026-27, lower than the estimated 7.4% growth rate for the current financial year FY26, citing multiple headwinds including El Nino pattern from mid-2026, weak investments, sluggish global trade growth, and base effect changes.
• Private Financial Consumption Expenditure (PFCE), an indicator measuring household demand accounting for nearly 55.9% of GDP from the demand side, remained subdued at 5.6% in FY24, surged to 7.2% in FY25, and improved to 7.5% in the first half of FY26, with projections of 7.6% year-on-year growth in FY27.
• Major risk factors for FY27 growth include the anticipated El Nino weather pattern from mid-2026 potentially affecting agricultural output, weak current conditions due to sluggish investments and global trade growth, artificial intelligence-driven disruptions, and the base year change for both GDP and Consumer Price Index to 2022-23 and 2024 from 2011-12 and 2012 respectively.
• India Ratings and Research, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Fitch Group, noted that India’s overall inflation outlook for the fourth quarter (January-March) of FY26 and FY27 remains benign, providing some cushion against growth headwinds and potential room for accommodative monetary policy if required.

Appointments and Resignations News

HSBC Private Bank Appoints Ida Liu as Chief Executive Officer

• HSBC Private Bank appointed Ida Liu as its new Chief Executive Officer effective from January 5, 2026, succeeding Gabriel Castello who served as interim CEO since December 2024, bringing over 25 years of global experience across wealth management, strategic advisory, and business transformation.
• Liu previously served as Global Head of Citi Private Bank since 2007, where she held several senior positions including Head of Citi Private Bank North America, Head of Citi Private Bank New York, and Head of the Asian Clients Group, demonstrating extensive leadership experience in private banking across multiple regions.
• With her expertise spanning various business verticals, Liu has advised Ultra-High-Net-Worth clients on their investment, liquidity, and legacy needs throughout her career, bringing deep understanding of complex wealth management requirements and client relationship management to her new role.
• The appointment represents HSBC Private Bank’s commitment to strengthening its global private banking operations under experienced leadership with proven track record in managing high-net-worth client relationships and driving business transformation in competitive wealth management markets.

Science and Technology News

Scientists Discover New Reed Snake Species in Mizoram

• Scientists from Mizoram University, in collaboration with researchers from Russia, Germany, and Vietnam, discovered a new reed snake species named ‘Calamaria mizoramensis’ in Mizoram, with findings published in the international scientific journal ‘Zootaxa,’ adding a new species to India’s reptiles and bringing the global Calamaria count to 70 while updating Mizoram’s herpetofauna to 169 species.
• The species was identified by correcting a long-standing taxonomic misidentification of specimens first collected in 2008, confirming the Mizoram population as a distinct evolutionary lineage through comprehensive morphological and genetic analysis conducted over several years.
• Calamaria mizoramensis is a small, non-venomous, nocturnal, and semi-fossorial snake characterized by dark brown to blackish coloration with faint stripes and a yellow underside, inhabiting humid, forested hill regions at elevations between 670 and 1,295 meters above sea level.
• The species is confirmed in several Mizoram locations including Aizawl, Reiek, Sihphir, Sawlêng, Mamit, and Kolasib, and has been tentatively assessed as ‘Least Concern’ under International Union for Conservation of Nature criteria due to its occurrence across multiple localities, though continued habitat monitoring is recommended.

Obituary News

Former Union Minister and Sports Administrator Suresh Kalmadi Passes Away

• Senior Indian National Congress leader and former Union Minister of State for Railways Suresh Kalmadi passed away at the age of 81 in Pune, Maharashtra on January 6, 2026, after a distinguished career spanning military service, politics, and sports administration over nearly five decades.
• Kalmadi served as a pilot in the Indian Air Force from 1964 to 1974 before transitioning into public life and politics, beginning his political career in 1977 as President of the Pune-based Indian Youth Congress and becoming a Rajya Sabha member in 1982, serving three additional terms in the Upper House.
• He was elected to the Lok Sabha in 1996, represented the Pune constituency several times as a Member of Parliament, and served as Minister of State for the Ministry of Railways from 1995 to 1996, contributing to railway development and policy formulation during his tenure.
• Kalmadi served as President of the Indian Olympic Association from 1996 to 2012 and was appointed Life President in 2016, played a key role in Indian athletics administration including overseeing selection trials for the 1980 Moscow Olympics, served as Chairman of the Organising Committee for the 2010 Commonwealth Games, and served as President of the Asian Athletics Association from 2000 to 2013 before becoming its Life President.

Obituary News

Former World Billiards Champion Manoj Kothari Passes Away

• Former World Billiards Champion Manoj Kothari, a pioneering figure in Indian cue sports and current chief national coach, passed away at the age of 67 in Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu in January 2026, leaving behind a legacy of excellence in billiards spanning over four decades as player and coach.
• Kothari won his maiden International Billiards & Snooker Federation World Billiards Championship title in 1990, placing him among the elite of the sport, and later won the World Doubles Billiards Championship title in 1997 with Ian Williamson of England, reflecting both his longevity and versatility at the highest level.
• In 2005, Kothari was honoured with the Major Dhyan Chand Award, India’s highest lifetime achievement award in sports, by the Government of India in recognition of his exceptional contributions in billiards, while also winning the State Champion title 16 times during his illustrious playing career.
• Post-retirement, Kothari served as the national coach of the Indian billiards team from 2011 for more than a decade and a half, nurturing future champions and received numerous accolades including a Lifetime Achievement Award from the IBSF in 2025, Kriraguru Samman from West Bengal, and a Lifetime Achievement award from the Calcutta Sports Journalists Club.

Books and Authors News

Goa Chief Minister Launches New Edition of Book on India’s Freedom Struggle

• Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant launched the second edition of the book titled ‘History That India Ignored’ authored by Prem Prakash, veteran journalist and Chairman of Asian News International (ANI), in Panaji, Goa in January 2026, with the book first published in April 2025 by Vitasta Publishing Private Limited.
• The book revisits India’s freedom struggle from lesser-known angles, highlighting unsung heroes, revolutionary movements, the Indian National Army, and overlooked uprisings like the Vellore Mutiny of 1806 and the Battle of Imphal that have been marginalized in mainstream historical narratives.
• The work challenges conventional narratives by showing that India’s independence was shaped not just by popular non-violent movements but also by revolutionary resistance and contributions from marginalized communities and individuals whose sacrifices have been inadequately documented in standard history texts.
• The book reinforces the responsibility to preserve and teach overlooked historical events to students and history enthusiasts, ensuring that the complete truth about India’s freedom struggle reaches younger generations and provides a more comprehensive understanding of the nation’s path to independence.

State News

Tamil Nadu Partners with UN Women for Gender-Responsive Governance

• Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin signed a Memorandum of Understanding with UN Women (United Nations Programme for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women) in Chennai in January 2026 to strengthen institutional capacities for gender-responsive governance, improve women’s welfare, and promote inclusive development across the state.
• The MoU aims to strengthen gender-responsive governance, planning, and budgeting in Tamil Nadu while promoting women’s economic opportunities with technical and implementation support from UN Women, supporting the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 5: Gender Equality through comprehensive institutional reforms.
• The initiatives will be implemented by the Department of Social Welfare and Women Empowerment, Department of Home, Prohibition and Excise, and Department of Rural Development and Panchayat Raj, ensuring coordinated multi-departmental approach to gender mainstreaming across government functions.
• Tamil Nadu has been chosen as India’s first state to participate in a national-level innovation initiative of the UNICEF Office of Innovation headquartered in Sweden, with a six-month tripartite cooperation agreement signed between Tamil Nadu State Planning Commission, OECD Observatory of Public Sector Innovation, and UNICEF Office of Innovation to pilot innovative governance approaches.