Friday, Jan 02

Daily Current Affairs: 2 January 2026

Daily current affairs for 2 January 2026 with exam-focused key facts, connected news context, and revision notes for UPSC, SSC, banking and government exams.

Editorial note for exam revision Last updated: 2 January 2026. This briefing is structured for current affairs revision, with key updates and related coverage links to help readers connect recurring topics across days.

Today at a glance

Top current affairs to revise

  1. Narendra Modi inaugurates Grand International Exposition of Sacred Piprahwa Relics
  2. Abdolnasser Hemmati appointed Governor of Central Bank of Iran
  3. Maitreyi Pushpa conferred with IFFCO Sahitya Samman 2025 and Ankita Jain receives IFFCO Yuva Sahitya Samman
  4. Delhi Police traced 1,303 missing persons under Operation Milap in southwest district
  5. European Union (EU) welcomes Bulgaria as 21st eurozone member
  6. Turkmenistan Government legalises cryptocurrency mining and exchange operations

Narendra Modi inaugurates Grand International Exposition of Sacred Piprahwa Relics

Key Updates:

  • Narendra Modi inaugurated the Grand International Exposition of Sacred Piprahwa Relics titled 'The Light & the Lotus: Relics of the Awakened One' at the Rai Pithora Cultural Complex.
  • The exposition marked the reunification of the Piprahwa gem relics of Lord Buddha after 127 years.
  • The exhibition displays relics, gem relics and ancient reliquaries excavated from the Piprahwa site in 1898 and during subsequent excavations between 1971 and 1975.
  • The repatriated relics are exhibited alongside artefacts preserved in the collections of the National Museum in New Delhi and the Indian Museum in Kolkata.
  • Modi paid tributes to social reformer Savitribai Phule and freedom fighter Rani Velu Nachiyar on their birth anniversaries.

Related Current Affairs Coverage

The memorial features 65-feet-tall bronze statues of Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee, Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya, and Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Developed over 65 acres at an estimated cost of ₹230 crore in Lucknow.


Abdolnasser Hemmati appointed Governor of Central Bank of Iran

[Iran]

Key Updates:

  • Abdolnasser Hemmati has been appointed as the new governor of the Central Bank of Iran (CBI).
  • He succeeds Mohammad Reza Farzin, who resigned as the rial plunged to a record low against the US dollar.
  • His appointment follows nationwide protests driven by steep currency devaluation and soaring inflation.

Related Current Affairs Coverage

Ahmed al-Sharaa, the interim President of Syria, introduced the country's new banknotes at a ceremony in Damascus to replace political imagery with agricultural symbols. Abdul Qader Hosriya, the Governor of the Central…

Vikram Sahu has been approved by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) as the chief executive officer (CEO) of Bank of America NA (BoFA) in India. He will assume the charge in addition to his current responsibilities as India…


Maitreyi Pushpa conferred with IFFCO Sahitya Samman 2025 and Ankita Jain receives IFFCO Yuva Sahitya Samman

Key Updates:

  • Maitreyi Pushpa received the IFFCO Sahitya Samman 2025 for her literary contributions on rural and agricultural life.
  • Ankita Jain was awarded the IFFCO Yuva Sahitya Samman for her book 'Oh Re! Kisan'.
  • The awards were presented by IFFCO Chairman Dilip Sanghani at Kamani Auditorium in New Delhi.
  • The award instituted by Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative Limited (IFFCO) carries a memento, citation, and Rs 11 lakh cheque.
  • Maitreyi Pushpa was born in Sikurra village of Aligarh district and obtained her M.A. in Hindi Literature from Bundelkhand College, Jhansi.
  • Ankita Jain is the Director of agro-manufacturing firm 'Vaidik Vatika' and founding member of 'Jai Jungle Farmers Producer Company'.

Related Current Affairs Coverage

PDUNASS Team receives two Bhavishya Nidhi Awards 2025 for capacity-building and RGDE initiative (Start of November)

Shri Kumar Rohit, Director, PDUNASS, jointly received the award for 'Best Achievement in Capacity Building' and 'Special Initiative – Reimagining Governance: Discourse for Excellence (RGDE)' Shri Uttam Prakash, RPFC-I…


Delhi Police traced 1,303 missing persons under Operation Milap in southwest district

[Delhi]

Key Updates:

  • Delhi Police traced 1,303 missing persons, including 434 children and 869 adults, under Operation Milap in the southwest district.
  • In December alone, 102 missing persons were traced, comprising 35 children and 67 adults.
  • Kapashera police station traced the highest number of missing children in December, locating 12 girls.
  • Sagarpur police station traced 16 missing adults in December, the highest among police stations.

Related Current Affairs Coverage


European Union (EU) welcomes Bulgaria as 21st eurozone member

[European Union (EU), Bulgaria]

Key Updates:

  • Bulgaria becomes the 21st of 27 EU members to adopt the euro, raising the euro-using population to 350 million.
  • The lev retires after being pegged to the Deutschmark and later the euro since 1997.
  • Euro becomes sole legal tender in Bulgaria from February 1, following a one-month dual-currency period.
  • Membership grants Bulgaria a seat on the European Central Bank (ECB) Governing Council that sets eurozone interest rates.
  • Consumer protection rules require all shops to display dual prices to curb unjustified price hikes during the changeover.

Related Current Affairs Coverage

Czech President Petr Pavel appointed billionaire Andrej Babis as the new prime minister following ANO's victory in the October parliamentary election. Babis, leader of the populist ANO party, replaces a strongly…


Turkmenistan Government legalises cryptocurrency mining and exchange operations

[Turkmenistan]

Key Updates:

  • Turkmenistan President Serdar Berdimuhamedov signed legislation regulating virtual assets, bringing cryptocurrencies under civil law.
  • The law establishes a licensing scheme for cryptocurrency exchanges overseen by the country’s central bank.
  • Digital currencies will not be recognised as a means of payment, currency, or security.
  • Turkmenistan’s internet remains tightly regulated and controlled by the government.

Related Current Affairs Coverage

Kazakhstan to Join Abraham Accords; Trump Hosts Central Asian Summit (Start of November)

Kazakhstan is set to join the Abraham Accords between Israel and Muslim majority countries. Proof: "Kazakhstan is set to join the Abraham Accords between Israel and Muslim majority countries"


Live Events Development Cell (LEDC) launched to position India among top five global live entertainment hubs

Key Updates:

  • The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) has constituted the Live Events Development Cell (LEDC) as a single-window facilitation mechanism to streamline processes for the live entertainment sector.
  • LEDC aims to double the sector’s size, generate 15–20 million jobs and place India among the top five global live entertainment hubs by 2030.
  • The cell brings together representatives from the Central and State governments, industry bodies and major event companies to coordinate policy support and sectoral expansion.

Related Current Affairs Coverage


Telangana Panchayat Raj (Amendment) Bill 2026 removes two-child norm for local body polls

[Telangana]

Key Updates:

  • The Telangana Legislative Assembly passed the Telangana Panchayat Raj (Amendment) Bill, 2026 to abolish the two-child disqualification norm for contesting local body elections.
  • Panchayat Raj Minister Danasari Anasuya Seethakka stated the two-child norm was introduced in 1994 as a population control measure.
  • The rural fertility rate in Telangana is 1.7, below the replacement level, prompting the amendment to encourage a replacement rate of 2.1.

Related Current Affairs Coverage


ICAR Crop Varieties Release: 184 New Varieties of 25 Crops Unveiled

[Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)]

Key Updates:

  • Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan unveiled 184 new varieties of 25 crops developed by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research.
  • These varieties are part of the over 3,200 new seed varieties developed in the last 10–11 years under the Prime Minister’s leadership.
  • The government aims to ensure farmers receive good quality seeds at the right price and as quickly as possible.

Related Current Affairs Coverage

NSC Seed Processing Units & Online Booking Platform: Key Features (End of October)

Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan inaugurated six NSC vegetable & flower seed processing-cum-packaging units (4-tonnes/hr capacity each) located at Pusa (New Delhi), Bareilly, Dharwad, Hassan, Suratgarh…


Industrial Research and Development Promotion Program removes 3-year viability norm for deep-tech startups

Key Updates:

  • Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR) has removed the mandatory three-year viability criteria for deep-tech startups to access up to Rs 1 crore under the Industrial Research and Development Promotion Program (IRDPP).
  • Startups must still meet evaluation standards linked to technological maturity.
  • The change is intended to accelerate scaling of deep-tech startups and provide early momentum to innovators.

Related Current Affairs Coverage

Nvidia Joins India Deep Tech Alliance (IDTA) as Founding Member and Strategic Technical Adviser (Start of November)

Nvidia has joined the India Deep Tech Alliance (IDTA) as a founding member and strategic technical adviser. The IDTA is an industry-led consortium of investors, corporates, technology partners, and ecosystem stakeholders…


NCERT Deemed University Status to Expand Research Role

[National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT)]

Key Updates:

  • The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) is likely to be granted deemed-to-be-university status by the end of January.
  • Once accorded the status, NCERT will be able to initiate expanded in-house research programmes and function as a full-fledged research university.
  • Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan announced the decision to transform NCERT into a deemed university in 2023.

Related Current Affairs Coverage

RCI Launches Comprehensive Reforms to Transform Rehabilitation Education in India (End of October)

Scheme Name: Central Rehabilitation Register (CRR) – fee waiver and validity extension initiative by Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI) Key Feature: CRR registration, renewal, and qualification addition fees…


Haryana Beti Bachao Beti Padhao follow-up measures yield 923 sex ratio in 2025

[Haryana]

Key Updates:

  • Haryana’s sex ratio at birth improved to 923 in 2025, a 13-point rise from 910 in 2024.
  • State government cracked down on sex-selective abortions and illegal sale of MTP kits, registering 114 FIRs under the MTP Act and conducting 154 raids under the PC-PNDT Act.
  • Reverse tracking of 12-week pregnant women with a previous girl child was introduced to curb illegal abortions.

Related Current Affairs Coverage

Study Warns of Global ‘Baby Bust’ with 97% Countries Below Replacement Fertility by 2100 (Start of November)

A new study, published in The Lancet, reveals that the world will soon witness a very low fertility rate. The study was collated by researchers from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME).


Assam Government launches monthly financial aid for celibate monks of satras

[Assam]

Key Updates:

  • Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma launched a scheme to provide a monthly financial assistance of Rs 1,500 to celibate monks residing in ‘satras’.
  • At least 620 ‘Udasin Bhakats’ (celibate monks) will benefit from the welfare initiative.
  • The initiative reaffirms the Assam government’s commitment to dignity, care and respect for those who uphold Assam’s civilisational heritage.

Related Current Affairs Coverage


Tamil Nadu District Mineral Foundation Rules 2025 Mandate 70% of DMF Funds for Directly Affected Areas

[Tamil Nadu]

Key Updates:

  • The Tamil Nadu District Mineral Foundation Rules, 2025 supersede the 2017 rules.
  • A minimum of 70% of the District Mineral Trust Fund must be spent on directly affected areas and high-priority sectors such as drinking water supply and health care.
  • Mining lease holders who contravene contribution norms face a penalty equal to a one-time payment of the contribution plus 12% interest for the contravention period.
  • The District Collector concerned will be the chairperson of the District Mineral Foundation Trust, Managing Committee, and Governing Council.
  • All royalty or seigniorage fee payments must include the Trust Fund component; no such fee shall be accepted without the mandatory contribution.
  • Districts with annual collections of ₹10 crore or more shall maintain an endowment fund of up to 10% of annual receipts to create sustainable livelihoods in areas where mining has ceased.

Related Current Affairs Coverage

Tamil Nadu has added five new products to its Geographical Indication list, including Woraiyur cotton sarees, Ambasamudram wooden toys, Thooyamalli rice, Namakkal soapstone utensils, and Kavindapadi country sugar. The…

Kerala Secures Rs 850 Crore FDI and Implements Building Rule Reforms (Start of November)

Kerala government has secured a Rs 850 crore foreign direct investment (FDI) from UAE-based Al Marzooqi Holdings FZC. The investment is for the Meridian Tech Park project at Technopark Phase III in Thiruvananthapuram.


Swadesh Darshan Yojana (SDY): Rs 148 Crore Sanctioned for Bhoramdev Corridor Project

Key Updates:

  • The Bhoramdev Corridor project has been approved under the Central Government's Swadesh Darshan Yojana.
  • An amount of Rs 148 crore has been sanctioned for the project to develop the 1,000-year-old Bhoramdev Temple corridor.
  • Development work will be carried out here for Rs 148 crore, which includes the launch of a tribal corridor and a convention centre.
  • Chhattisgarh has 219 projects worth Rs 7.83 lakh crore across 18 sectors now advancing rapidly since November 2024.
  • These initiatives are poised to generate over 1.5 lakh jobs across 26 of the state's 33 districts.
  • Of the total investment, nine marquee projects valued at Rs 6,063 crore are already operational, while 109 projects, representing Rs 2.10 lakh crore and 87,132 jobs, are in advanced stages of construction.

Related Current Affairs Coverage


National Strategy for India’s Textiles: Target of USD 350 Billion Industry and USD 100 Billion Exports by 2030

Key Updates:

  • The Ministry of Textiles (MoT) is organizing a national conference to deliberate on a coordinated national strategy for positioning India as a global textiles manufacturing hub.
  • The MoT deliberations align with the national vision of developing a USD 350 billion textile industry and achieving USD 100 billion in textile exports by 2030.
  • A conclave on "‘Strengthening and Empowering the Textiles Sector of the North-Eastern Region of India’" will focus on silk, handloom, and bamboo-based textiles.
  • The initiative focuses on revitalising traditional textiles with emphasis on handloom and handicrafts for modern markets and the promotion of women-led enterprises.

Related Current Affairs Coverage

The Office of the Development Commissioner (Handicrafts) under the Ministry of Textiles launched the nationwide rollout of the Chaupal Programme. Chaupals will be established as permanent, district-level engagement…

The Union government has approved the 'Textiles Focused Research, Assessment, Monitoring, Planning and Start-up (Tex-RAMPS) Scheme', as announced by Union Minister of Textiles Giriraj Singh. The Tex-RAMPS Scheme has an…


Electronics Components Manufacturing Scheme (ECMS) with ₹41,863 Crore Investment Approval

Key Updates:

  • The Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY) has approved 22 new proposals, including from Dixon Technologies, Samsung Display Noida, Foxconn, and Hindalco Industries, under the third tranche of the ambitious Electronics Components Manufacturing Scheme (ECMS).
  • The newly approved projects under the ECMS involve a projected investment of ₹41,863-crore and a production value of ₹2,58,152-crore.
  • The Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government had notified the ECMS on April 8, 2025, with an outlay of ₹22,919 crore.
  • These new approved projects are expected to generate 33,791 jobs directly.
  • The projects span eight states -- Andhra Pradesh, Haryana, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan -- aligned with the Centre's vision on ensuring 'geographically-balanced' industrial growth.
  • The ECMS will run for six years, with one year as a gestation period, and offers investment, turnover-linked, and capital expenditure (capex)-linked incentives across sub-assemblies, supply chain ecosystem, and telecom sub-assembly.
  • The scheme aims to develop a robust component manufacturing ecosystem to increase domestic value addition (DVA) and increase India’s share of exports in global electronic trade.

Related Current Affairs Coverage

India's First Silicon Carbide Semiconductor Plant to be Established in Odisha (Start of November)

India's first Silicon Carbide (SiC) semiconductor manufacturing plant will be established in Odisha. The plant, named SiCSem, is an integrated device manufacturer and has received approval from the India Semiconductor…


Himachal Pradesh Road Infrastructure Development: Tuman Village receives first motorable road and HRTC connectivity

[Himachal Pradesh]

Key Updates:

  • The 2.7-kilometre stretch connecting Shakeld to Tuman was built by the Public Works Department (PWD), providing much-needed connectivity to a region that had long remained isolated from basic transport facilities.
  • Tuman, a small village in the Chawasi area of Mandi district in Himachal Pradesh, got its first motorable road on Monday for the first time after India gained Independence.
  • To celebrate the milestone, a trial run of a Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) bus was conducted, flagged off from Shakeld to Tuman by Karsog Sub-Divisional Magistrate Gaurav Mahajan.

Related Current Affairs Coverage

TS-01, the first Delhi Metro train introduced into service in 2002, completed 23 years of service. After mid-life rehabilitation last year, it now features CCTV cameras, integrated passenger emergency alarms, LCD-based…

Uttar Pradesh Government Prepares for New District Kalyan Singh Nagar (End of October)

The Uttar Pradesh government has started preparations for creating the 76th district. The new district will be named Kalyan Singh Nagar, after its former Chief Minister Kalyan Singh.


Code on Social Security 2020: 90-day engagement rule for gig-worker social-security cover

Key Updates:

  • The Ministry of Labour and Employment pre-published draft rules under the Code on Social Security, 2020 proposing that a gig or platform worker must be engaged for 'not less than 90 days with an aggregator, or in the case of multiple aggregators, not less than one hundred and twenty days, in the last financial year' to qualify for social-security benefits.
  • A worker is counted as 'engaged' on a calendar day if they earn any income, irrespective of amount, for work done for an aggregator on that day.
  • If a worker is associated with multiple aggregators, engagement days across all aggregators will be added together; being engaged with three aggregators on the same calendar day will be counted as three separate days of engagement.
  • Stakeholders have 30 to 45 days to submit objections and suggestions before the rules are finalised for implementation alongside all four labour codes from 1 April.

Related Current Affairs Coverage

Effective November 21, the four labour codes replace 29 central labour laws. The codes aim to ease regulations and compliance norms for employers and ensure uniformity in wage structure and social security protection for…

NITI Aayog Reports on Service Sector Job Growth and Employment Share in India (End of October)

India’s services sector's employment share rose from 26.9 percent in 2011–12 to 29.7 percent in 2023–24, according to two new NITI Aayog reports. The sector added nearly 40 million jobs in six years, bringing total…


Assam Proton Therapy Machine Procurement for Cancer Care

[Assam]

Key Updates:

  • Assam government will purchase a proton therapy machine at a cost of Rs 500 crore for cancer care.
  • The machine will be part of the cancer grid in Assam and is aimed at making the state a hub of medical tourism.
  • Assam will be the first state in the country to have a proton-based therapy machine in the public health system.

Related Current Affairs Coverage

VoxelGrids, a Zoho-backed start-up, has developed the country’s first indigenous MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) scanner. The machine, with a Magnetic Field Strength of 1.5 tesla, is not just a locally made version of…

National Cancer Awareness Day observed on 7 November: Theme 2025-2027 - "United by Unique" (Start of November)

India observes National Cancer Awareness Day on 7 November. The date was chosen to commemorate the birth anniversary of Marie Curie, whose research on radioactivity laid the foundational work for cancer therapy.


Indonesia Raises Alert for Mount Bur Ni Telong Amid Increased Volcanic Activity

[Indonesia]

Key Updates:

  • Indonesian authorities have escalated the alert level for Mount Bur Ni Telong volcano, located in the western Aceh province, following heightened volcanic activity.
  • The stratovolcano, standing at 2,624 meters, has shown an increased frequency of both shallow and deep volcanic earthquakes.
  • Officials are evacuating nearby residents and urge caution around fumaroles and solfataras due to toxic gases.

Related Current Affairs Coverage

India's resolution on strengthening global wildfire management was adopted at the seventh session of the UN Environment Assembly (UNEA-7) in Nairobi, with wide support from member states. The resolution responds to the…


India signs ₹1.82 trillion defence contracts in first nine months of FY26

Key Updates:

  • Contracts worth ₹1.82 trillion have been signed in nine months through December to acquire weapons and equipment for the armed forces.
  • Approximately ₹1.2 trillion of the ₹1.49 trillion capital-acquisition budget for FY26 had been utilised by the third quarter ending December.
  • The Ministry of Defence (MoD) total budgetary allocation for FY26 is ₹6.81 trillion, of which ₹1.8 trillion—over 26%—is earmarked for capital outlay on defence services.
  • The MoD aims to double the usual 10% increase and seek a 20% rise in the modernisation component for the FY27 defence budget.

Related Current Affairs Coverage


India and Bangladesh begin talks on Ganges Water Sharing Treaty renewal on January 02, 2026

[Bangladesh]

Key Updates:

  • India and Bangladesh have begun talks on renewing the Ganges Water Sharing Treaty, set to expire in Dec 2026 - 30 years after it was signed - according to officials.
  • Both started measuring water levels in the Ganga and Padma, with measurements to be recorded every 10 days till May 31.
  • Central Water Commission (CWC) deputy director Saurabh Kumar and CWC assistant director Sunny Arora are in Bangladesh, while a four-member Bangladeshi team is in India, the officials said.
  • Senior Bangladesh water resource ministry official Shibber Hossain said 'special attention' was being given to the Indian team's security.

Related Current Affairs Coverage


Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) advances semiconductor design through Design Linked Incentive (DLI) Scheme

[Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY)]

Key Updates:

  • The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) Design Linked Incentive (DLI) Scheme under the Semicon India Programme aims to build a self-reliant, globally competitive chip design ecosystem.
  • As many as 24 DLI-supported chip design projects target strategic sectors, including video surveillance, drone detection, energy metering, microprocessors, satellite communications, and IoT SoCs.
  • Projects supported under the government's DLI scheme are scaling rapidly, with 16 tape-outs, 6 ASIC chips, 10 patents, over 1,000 engineers engaged, and over 3x private investment leveraged.
  • With an outlay of Rs 76,000 crore, the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) supports investments in semiconductor and display manufacturing as well as the design ecosystem.
  • C-DAC, a premier R&D organisation under MeitY, is responsible for implementing the DLI Scheme as the Nodal Agency.
  • The DLI Scheme supports semiconductor design across the full lifecycle—from design and development to deployment—covering Integrated Circuits (ICs), chipsets, Systems-on-Chip (SoCs), systems and IP cores.

Related Current Affairs Coverage


Govt Institute of Medical Sciences (GIMS) starts state’s first government AI clinic in Noida

Key Updates:

  • Govt Institute of Medical Sciences (GIMS) in Kasna has launched a clinic that will use artificial intelligence and genetic screening to detect and treat serious diseases such as cancer and heart, kidney and liver ailments at an early stage.
  • Officials said it is UP's first AI-powered govt clinic within a govt hospital.
  • The clinic will use artificial intelligence along with genetic screening to analyse diagnostic inputs, including blood tests, imaging scans and other clinical data.
  • AI tools will also be used to analyse X-rays, ultrasounds, CT scans, MRI reports and laboratory investigations, particularly for critically ill patients.
  • According to doctors at GIMS, the use of robotics combined with AI can improve surgical precision across multiple specialities, including abdominal, orthopaedic, neurological and cardiac procedures.
  • The AI clinic was inaugurated online by the additional director general of health services (ADGHS), govt of India.

Related Current Affairs Coverage

IndiaAI and WHO Launch Global Call for AI Health Solutions for Casebook (End of October)

The IndiaAI Mission (Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology) and the World Health Organisation (WHO) have announced a global call for abstracts. The call highlights impactful and scalable applications of…


Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) readies 3D-printed Automatic Weather Stations for Delhi rollout

[Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), Delhi]

Key Updates:

  • Indian scientists led by IITM Pune are deploying 3D-printed Automatic Weather Stations in Delhi under Mission Mausam to strengthen India’s weather observation network.
  • The first batch of these next-generation stations is set to be installed in the national capital from February.
  • Manufacturing via 3D printing reduces costs, allows flexible design of geometric structures and is well-suited for large-scale production.
  • All indigenously developed meteorological instruments are certified by IMD’s Surface Laboratory, which the Bureau of Indian Standards recognises.

Related Current Affairs Coverage

Delhi’s cloud-seeding trials fail to yield rain; IIT Kanpur cites low cloud-moisture (End of October)

Technology/Event: Cloud-seeding trials using a Cessna aircraft dispersing eight 0.5-kg flares of silver-iodide mix per sortie Implementing Agency: IIT Kanpur executing the project under a MoU with Delhi environment…


Union Minister J P Nadda announces India ranks 8th globally in World Health Organization (WHO) Pharmacovigilance Contributions

[World Health Organization (WHO)]

Key Updates:

  • India now stands at the 8th position globally in World Health Organization (WHO) Pharmacovigilance Contributions, rising from the 123rd position held ten years ago.
  • The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare released the 10th edition of the Indian Pharmacopoeia (IP) 2026, which serves as the official book of drug standards for India.
  • The Indian Pharmacopoeia (IP) 2026 has incorporated 121 new monographs, increasing the total count to 3,340 monographs.
  • India has become the first country to include 20 blood component monographs to expand research in blood transfusion, thalassemia, hemophilia, and anaemia.
  • The new monographs are designed to benefit the National TB Elimination Programme, Anaemia Mukt Bharat, and the Universal Immunisation Programme.
  • The Indian Pharmacopoeia (IP) is currently recognized as a standard in 19 Global South countries.

Related Current Affairs Coverage

Scheme Name: AMRIT (Affordable Medicines and Reliable Implants for Treatment) pharmacies, implemented by HLL Lifecare Ltd. Launch: First outlet opened at AIIMS, Delhi in 2015; network now spans 255 outlets across 24…


Forest Department records first-ever sighting of Sirkeer Malkoha in Uttarkashi hills

Key Updates:

  • The Sirkeer Malkoha (Taccocua leschenaultii), a bird species typically found in Uttarakhand's plains, has been recorded for the first time in Uttarkashi district.
  • The species is known to inhabit dry scrub forests and open woodlands below 1,000m.
  • The sighting in the Barkot area is rare and a significant subject for research.

Related Current Affairs Coverage


India records 166 tiger deaths in 2025, 40 more than previous year; MP reports highest toll

Key Updates:

  • India lost 166 tigers in 2025, forty more than the previous year, according to the latest data of the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA).
  • Madhya Pradesh recorded the highest number of deaths at 55, followed by Maharashtra (38), Kerala (13) and Assam (12).
  • Of the 166 deceased tigers, 31 were cubs.
  • Experts attribute the major cause of death to territorial infighting due to space crunch as tiger populations reach saturation.

Related Current Affairs Coverage

India will host a ‘Global Big Cats Summit’ in New Delhi next year. The announcement was made by India’s Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav at a high-level ministerial segment at COP30 conference in Belem, Brazil.

India's All India Tiger Estimation: The World's Largest Wildlife Survey (Start of November)

The All India Tiger Estimation (AITE) is widely recognised as the world’s largest wildlife survey, unmatched in both scale and precision. It is conducted across more than 400,000 square kilometres of forests in over 20…


Tripura State Load Dispatch Centre becomes first in Northeast to secure ISO/IEC 27001:2022 certification

[Tripura]

Key Updates:

  • Tripura State Load Dispatch Centre (SLDC) has achieved ISO/IEC 27001:2022 certification, making it the first in the northeast to do so.
  • The certification is designed to safeguard critical computerised systems from escalating cyber threats, ensuring the security of the national power grid.
  • Power minister Ratan Lal Nath announced the certification during the 22nd foundation day celebration of the Tripura State Electricity Corporation Limited (TSECL).

Related Current Affairs Coverage


Rajasthan Regional AI Impact Conference 2026 held in Jaipur

[Rajasthan]

Key Updates:

  • The Rajasthan Regional AI Impact Conference 2026 will be held in Jaipur on January 6.
  • The conference will focus on the role of artificial intelligence in governance, economic growth, innovation and public service delivery.
  • Senior leaders expected include Union minister for electronics and information technology Ashwini Vaishnaw, minister of state for electronics and information technology and commerce and industry Jitin Prasada, Rajasthan chief minister Bhajan Lal Sharma, and the state’s IT and communication minister Rajyavardhan Rathore.
  • Discussions will centre on AI applications in public service delivery and governance, ethical and responsible use of AI, and the impact of AI on employment and skills.
  • The conference will be held alongside Rajasthan DigiFest × TiE Global Summit 2026.

Related Current Affairs Coverage


Karnataka Organ Donation Record 2025

[Karnataka]

Key Updates:

  • Jeevasarthakathe is the State Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation (SOTTO).
  • Karnataka achieved a record of 198 donations from organ donors in 2025, making it the highest number of donations in a year in the state’s record.
  • Karnataka stands third in the country behind Tamil Nadu (267) and Telangana (205) for state-wise donations.
  • Karnataka’s previous record for organ donations was in 2023 when 178 donors donated their organs.
  • Non-Transplant Human Organ Retrieval Centres (NTHORCs) are utilized to encourage donations through medical college hospitals.
  • SOTTO collaborated with the police department to nominate a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DySP) rank officer as a nodal officer to identify potential organ donation cases in head injury incidents.

Related Current Affairs Coverage

Swasth Nari, Sashakt Parivar Abhiyaan: Guinness World Records and Health Outcomes (Start of November)

The Union Health Ministry achieved three Guinness World Records titles under the nationwide 'Swasth Nari, Sashakt Parivar Abhiyaan' (SNSPA) campaign. Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the nationwide Swasth Nari…

Swasth Nari, Sashakt Parivar Abhiyaan (SNSPA): 3 Guinness Records & Key Features (Start of November)

Campaign Name: Swasth Nari, Sashakt Parivar Abhiyaan (SNSPA); launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on September 17 and held till October 2 as part of 'Poshan Month'. Objective: Focus on preventive and women-centric…