National PNG Drive 2.0 to Promote Piped Natural Gas
[GAIL, Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB)]
Key Updates:
- GAIL India Limited (GAIL) has tied up with the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) for the National PNG Drive 2.0 initiative.
- The initiative is part of the #NonStopZindagi campaign which promotes Piped Natural Gas (PNG).
- The Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Germany’s DVGW for blending hydrogen with natural gas.
- India is set to join the United States-led PaxSilica Initiative to strengthen technology and supply chain ties.
- Serbia has imposed import quotas on certain iron and steel products.
Similar Coverage
- The Ministry of Information & Broadcasting (MIB) announced winners of four creative challenges under the ‘Badalta Bharat Mera Anubhav’ campaign organised with MyGov.
- Citizens shared personal experiences and creative expressions reflecting India’s transformation over the last 11 years under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi.
- Aligned with the vision of ‘Viksit Bharat@2047’, the campaign engaged citizens across age groups and backgrounds through Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts, Short AV, and Blog Writing contests.
- The National Intelligence Grid (NATGRID) has been linked to the National Population Register (NPR) which stores family-wise details of 119 crore residents.
- Access to NATGRID is now extended to Superintendent of Police-rank officers; earlier it was limited to ten Central agencies.
- The upgraded tool 'Gandiva' supports facial recognition and entity resolution by matching suspect images with photo identity documents.
- Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) launched a NUDGE campaign to alert taxpayers who claimed wrongful deductions related to unrecognised political parties or charitable institutions.
- Over 15 lakh revised Income Tax Returns (ITRs) have been filed for Assessment Year 2025-26.
- More than 21 lakh taxpayers have updated their returns and paid Rs 2,500 crore in taxes during the current fiscal.
- Taxpayers are advised to review and revise their ITRs by December 31, 2025, to avoid further enquiries.
- The Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD) is launching the 100-day Bal Vivah Mukt Bharat Campaign.
- The campaign will be formally launched on 4 December, 2025.
- The 100-day campaign period is from 27 November 2025 to 8 March 2026.
- It aims to build a Child Marriage Free Bharat.
- The campaign calls upon citizens, institutions, and community leaders to join the movement.
- It follows a structured, three-spell plan.
- The national drive will be implemented in close coordination with the Ministries of Health & Family Welfare, Panchayati Raj, Rural Development, and Education.
Gambia and Myanmar begin International Court of Justice (ICJ) hearings on 12 January 2026
[Gambia, Myanmar, International Court of Justice (ICJ)]
Key Updates:
- Public hearings opened on 12 January 2026 at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in a landmark case brought by the Gambia against Myanmar, alleging violations of the Genocide Convention.
- The proceedings, held at the Peace Palace in The Hague, mark the start of the merits phase in the case, after years of preliminary legal arguments.
- Judge Iwasawa Yuji, President of the ICJ, outlined a detailed schedule that includes two rounds of pleadings by Gambia and Myanmar, as well as closed sessions to hear testimony.
- Gambia filed its application in November 2019, accusing Myanmar of breaching the Genocide Convention through acts allegedly committed during 'clearance operations' carried out by the Myanmar military, or Tatmadaw.
- In January 2020, the Court unanimously ordered provisional measures, directing Myanmar to take all steps within its power to prevent genocidal acts against the Rohingya and preserve evidence.
- The ICJ is the United Nations’ (UN) principal judicial organ; it settles legal disputes between States and determines State responsibility rather than trying individuals.
Similar Coverage
- The UN human rights office (OHCHR) reiterated its opposition to the death penalty in all circumstances.
- A UN-led investigation into alleged crimes found that 1,400 people – including many children – may have been killed while thousands were injured during July and August last year.
- OHCHR published its report in February 2025.
- The report found that the former Bangladeshi administration tried to systematically suppress the protests with increasingly violent means in order to remain in power.
- OHCHR has been calling for perpetrators – including individuals in positions of command and leadership – to be held accountable in accordance with international standards and for victims to have access to effective remedies and reparation.
- UN human rights chief Volker Türk said in February that accountability and justice are essential for national healing and for the future of Bangladesh.
- OHCHR advocates for the universal abolition of the death penalty.
- Initiative Name: Punjab State Scheduled Castes Commission's separate Court Room (first-of-its-kind in any State Scheduled Castes Commission in India)
- Objective: "to ensure faster hearings, timely disposal of cases and overall efficiency in the functioning of the Commission"
- Key Feature: "Equipped with modern facilities" and an "Online Court System would also be introduced soon to enable complainants to appear virtually, saving time, travel, and expenses for the public"
- The Ministry of Home Affairs issued the Immigration and Foreigners (Exemption) Order 2025 on September 1 this year.
- The order exempts Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis and Christians from Afghanistan, Pakistan and Bangladesh who entered India on or before December 31 2024 due to religious persecution to stay without valid travel documents.
- The Supreme Court has sought the Centre’s response on whether this order violates the Assam Accord’s March 25 1971 deadline.
- Bangladesh has again asked India to extradite former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who was recently sentenced to death in absentia over last year’s deadly crackdown against a student-led uprising.
- Touhid Hossain, who holds the foreign affairs portfolio in Bangladesh’s interim administration, said Dhaka had sent a letter two days ago urging New Delhi to hand over the fugitive ex-leader.
- A special International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) in Dhaka convicted Hasina of crimes against humanity and sentenced her to death.
- Bangladesh’s Foreign Ministry stated that India has an 'obligatory responsibility' under a 2013 bilateral extradition treaty to facilitate Hasina’s return.
- India’s Foreign Ministry responded by saying it had 'noted' the Hasina verdict but has not commented on the prospects of her extradition.
- Bangladeshi newspaper Prothom Alo reports Dhaka has made at least three extradition requests so far.
- Hasina, 78, has been in hiding in India since her autocratic rule was overthrown in a mass uprising in August 2024.
- Bangladesh will hold its first general elections since the protests in February, and Hasina’s party, the Awami League, is barred from any political activity.
India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully flight-tests Man Portable Anti-Tank Guided Missile (MPATGM) in Maharashtra on Sunday
[Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), Maharashtra]
Key Updates:
- The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully flight-tested the Man Portable Anti-Tank Guided Missile (MPATGM), a third-generation ‘fire and forget’ type of missile with top attack capability, against a moving target at the KK Ranges in Maharashtra’s Ahilyanagar on Sunday.
- The homegrown MPATGM consists of an Imaging Infrared (IIR) homing seeker which tracks targets using infrared images, an all-electric control actuation system, and a tandem warhead that uses dual charges to defeat the layered armour of adversary tanks.
- The ‘Fire and forget’ type of missile refers to a weapon system that locks onto a target before launch and does not require further guidance from the operator after firing.
- Bharat Dynamics Limited and Bharat Electronics Limited are the Development-Cum-Production Partners (DcPP) for the weapon system.
- The missile can be launched from tripod or a Military Vehicle Launcher and features a miniaturised infrared imaging seeker and advanced avionics on board for control and guidance.
Similar Coverage
- The Pakistan Air Force (PAF) successfully tested the Taimoor Weapon System, which was developed in Pakistan and can hit targets up to 600 kilometres away.
- The Taimoor Air-Launched Cruise Missile can accurately strike enemy targets on land and at sea within a 600 kilometer range and carries a conventional warhead.
- Equipped with a state-of-the-art navigation and guidance system, Taimoor is designed to fly at very low altitudes to help it avoid enemy air and missile defenses.
- The successful test demonstrates the technical skill, innovation, and independence of Pakistan’s defense industry.
- Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu congratulated the scientists, engineers, and the entire PAF team for their achievement.
- Test Name: GT 254 – an unarmed Minuteman III ICBM operational test launched by Air Force Global Strike Command
- Launch Site & Recovery: Vandenberg Space Force Base, Calif.; impacted ~4,200 miles away at Ronald Reagan Ballistic Missile Defense Test Site, Kwajalein Atoll, Marshall Islands
- Command Method: Remotely launched by AFGSC Airmen via a U.S. Navy E-6B Mercury aircraft as airborne backup command-and-control
- Purpose: Verify ICBM reliability, accuracy, and collect data to mitigate risks; supports transition assessment to next-generation LGM-35A Sentinel
- Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) conducted a salvo launch of two quasi-ballistic missiles, Pralay, off the coast of Odisha as part of user evaluation trials.
- Both missiles followed the intended trajectory and met all flight objectives, as confirmed by tracking sensors deployed by the Integrated Test Range (ITR), Chandipur.
- Pralay is an indigenously developed, solid-propellant quasi-ballistic missile employing state-of-the-art guidance and navigation systems to ensure high precision.
- The missile is capable of carrying multiple types of warheads against a variety of targets and is slated for induction into the Indian Army and the Indian Air Force with a conventional warhead.
- The system has been developed by Hyderabad-based DRDO facility Research Centre Imarat in collaboration with three Pune-based units — Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE), High Energy Materials Research Laboratory (HEMRL), and Research and Development Establishment (Engineers) [R&DE].
- Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) celebrated its 68th Foundation Day on January 01, 2026.
- 22 Acceptance of Necessity accorded by Defence Acquisition Council & Services Procurement Board for DRDO systems worth approx. Rs 1.30 lakh crore to be manufactured by Indian Industries in 2025, highest in any single year in history.
- 11 contracts for acquisitions valued at Rs 26,000 crore signed with DRDO production partners.
- Notable systems for which AoN accorded: Integrated Air Defence Weapon System (IADWS), Conventional Ballistic Missile System, Quick Reaction Surface to Air Missile System ‘Anant Shastra’, Long Range Air to Surface Supersonic Cruise Missile (LRASSCM), Integrated Drone Detection and Interdiction System (IDDIS) MK II, Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile (BVRAAM) Astra Mk-II, Anti-Tank NAG Missile System (Tracked) Mk-2, Advanced Light Weight Torpedo, Processor-based Moored Mine – Next Generation (PBMM NG), Air-borne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) Mk-1A, Mountain Radars, Full Mission Simulator for Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Mk-1A.
- Contracts signed for Nag Missile System, Ashwini Low Level Transportable Radar, Air Defence Fire Control Radar (ADFCR), Electronic Warfare Suite for Mi-17 V5 Helicopter, Area Denial Munition (ADM) Type-1, High Explosive Pre-Fragmented (HEPF) Mk-I (Enhanced) for Pinaka MLRS, Infantry Foot Bridge Floating, Wargaming System, Automatic Chemical Agent Detector & Alarm (ACADA), Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS).
Defence Research and Development Organisation successfully flight-tests man portable anti-tank guided missile
[Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)]
Key Updates:
- The third generation fire and forget man portable anti-tank guided missile (MPATGM) with top attack capability was flight-tested successfully against a moving target in KK Ranges, Ahilya Nagar.
- The test-firing was carried out by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
- The warhead is capable of defeating modern main battle tanks.
- The missile can be launched from a tripod or military vehicle launcher.
- Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has complimented the DRDO and the industry partners for the successful test-firing of the missile.
Similar Coverage
- Tata Advanced Systems has been awarded a supply order to support the Indian Army's 510 Advance Base Workshop (ABW) in the overhaul cum upgradation of in-service first-generation Pinaka Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (MLRS) and Battery Command Posts (BCPs).
- In the initial phase, Tata Advanced Systems and 510 ABW will jointly undertake a pilot overhaul of select Pinaka MLRS and BCPs.
- Following the pilot phase, the remaining systems will be overhauled by 510 ABW with Tata Advanced Systems providing critical spares, quality assurance and technical support.
- Tata Advanced Systems partnered with the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) to design and develop the Pinaka MLRS.
- The company has achieved nearly 80 per cent indigenous content in the Pinaka MLRS.
- Pinaka MLRS is mounted on an 8x8 High Mobility Vehicle and features automated 'shoot-and-scoot' operations.
- Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) on Monday successfully conducted the maiden flight test of the Pinaka Long Range Guided Rocket (LRGR 120) at the Integrated Test Range in Odisha's Chandipur.
- The rocket was tested for its maximum range of 120 km, demonstrating all in-flight manoeuvres as planned.
- The LRGR impacted the target with textbook precision.
- The LRGR 120 is an extended-range, precision-guided rocket developed for the Indian Army’s Pinaka Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS).
- Unlike earlier unguided Pinaka rockets, the LRGR is equipped with a guidance system that significantly improves accuracy.
- The rocket is fired from the existing Pinaka launcher, allowing the Army to enhance capability without inducting a new launch platform.
- The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully completed user evaluation trials of the next-generation Akash (Akash-NG) missile system, paving the way for its induction into the Indian Armed Forces. Quote: "The DRDO on Tuesday 'successfully completed' user evaluation trials of the next-generation Akash missile system, paving the way for its induction into the armed forces, officials said."
- The Akash-NG system met all Preliminary Staff Qualitative Requirements (PSQR) and demonstrated high precision against high-speed, low-altitude, and long-range high-altitude targets. Quote: "User evaluation trials of Akash NG missile successfully completed today, meeting all PSQR requirements... The system demonstrated high precision against diverse aerial threats, including high-speed, low-altitude and long-range high-altitude targets."
- The missile system is equipped with an indigenous Radio Frequency (RF) seeker, a dual-pulse solid rocket motor, and fully homegrown radars and Control and Command (C2) systems. Quote: "Equipped with an indigenous RF seeker, dual-pulse solid rocket motor, and fully homegrown radars and C2 systems, Akash-NG marks a major boost to India's air defence capability."
- During the trials, the DRDO successfully intercepted aerial targets at various ranges and altitudes, including near-boundary-low-altitude scenarios. Quote: "During the trials, the missiles successfully intercepted aerial targets at different ranges and altitudes, 'including the near-boundary-low-altitude and long-range, high-altitude scenarios,' the DRDO said."
- The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully conducted a high-speed rocket-sled test of a fighter aircraft escape system.
- The test was conducted at the Rail Track Rocket Sled (RTRS) facility of the Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory, Chandigarh.
- The test validated canopy severance, ejection sequencing, and complete aircrew recovery.
- The test was conducted in collaboration with the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).
- The complex dynamic test placed 'India in an elite club of nations with advanced in-house escape system testing capability'.
- Defence minister Rajnath Singh hailed the test as a significant milestone in India’s indigenous defence capability and a step forward towards self-reliance.
Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) PSLV-C62 mission hits anomaly after third stage
[Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)]
Key Updates:
- The PSLV-C62 mission lifted off at 10:18:30 IST from the First Launch Pad at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota.
- ISRO acknowledged 'a deviation of sort in the flight path' after the end of the third stage and is analysing the data.
- The 44.4-metre-tall four-stage PSLV-C62 carried the EOS-N1 Earth observation satellite and 15 co-passenger satellites.
- The rocket was to inject payloads into a Sun Synchronous Orbit at an altitude of around 511 km.
- The fourth stage (PS4) was planned to restart for a controlled de-boost manoeuvre to re-enter and splash down the Kestrel Initial Technology Demonstrator (KID) capsule in the South Pacific Ocean.
- EOS-N1 is an Earth observation satellite for environmental monitoring, resource mapping, and disaster management support.
- KID, developed by a Spanish startup, is a small-scale re-entry vehicle prototype for technology demonstration.
- The mission is the 64th flight of the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle and the ninth dedicated commercial mission executed by NewSpace India Limited (NSIL).
Similar Coverage
- ISRO successfully carried out a static ground test of an improved version of the third stage of its Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV).
- The test was conducted at the Solid Motor Static Test Facility at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC), Sriharikota.
- The improved SS3 motor features a carbon-epoxy composite motor case, reducing inert mass and yielding a payload gain of about 90 kg for SSLV.
- The third stage alone delivers velocities of up to 4 km/second to the launch vehicle.
- Nozzle control is achieved through a fault-tolerant electro-mechanical actuation system supported by low-power control electronics.
- Two Hyderabad start-ups — TakeMe2Space and EON Space Labs — completed testing and integration of the 14-kilogram Earth observation satellite MOI-1 at Azista BST Aerospace in Ahmedabad.
- MOI-1 will ride as a co-passenger on ISRO’s PSLV-C62 mission slated for early January 2026 from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota.
- The satellite carries MIRA, a miniaturised space telescope and imaging hardware developed by EON Space Labs to NASA-equivalent thermal-vacuum standards.
- Once in 500-km low Earth orbit, MOI-1 will deliver multispectral imagery with 9.2-metre resolution and 18.7-kilometre swath across nine spectral bands for agriculture, urban mapping, ship detection and construction monitoring.
- An on-board Nvidia GPU enables in-orbit AI processing, sending processed actionable data instead of raw images to cut downlink costs and serve commercial and defence users.
- ISRO announced that the launch of its LVM3-M6 mission has been scheduled for December 24, 2025, at 08:54 hours IST.
- The heavy-lift launch vehicle will lift off from the Second Launch Pad at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota.
- Under a commercial agreement facilitated by New Space India Limited, the LVM3 on this mission will place the Bluebird-6 communication satellite of US-based AST SpaceMobile into orbit.
- ISRO successfully demonstrated the boot-strap mode start test of the CE20 Cryogenic engine.
- The CE20 engine powers the upper stage of the Launch Vehicle Mark -3 (LVM3) rocket.
- The test was conducted for 10 seconds under vacuum conditions at the High-Altitude Test (HAT) facility at ISRO Propulsion Complex, Mahendragiri on November 7.
- The CE20 cryogenic engine is already qualified for operation at thrust levels between 19 and 22 tonnes with a single start in flight and is cleared for use in the Gaganyaan missions.
- Under normal conditions, the engine ignition begins under tank head pressure, followed by a turbopump start up using a stored gas start-up system.
- For future missions, multiple in-flight restarts of the CE20 engine will be required for mission flexibility, towards multi-orbit missions.
- With the current configuration, each restart requires an additional start-up gas bottle and associated systems, leading to a reduction in vehicle payload capability.
- Achieving boot-strap mode start, where the engine builds up to steady operation without external start-up assistance, is essential.
- During the test, a multi-element igniter was employed in both the thrust chamber and gas generator to facilitate boot-strap starting.
- In this test, following the ignition of the thrust chamber, the gas generator was ignited under tank head conditions, and the turbopumps were started without the use of the start-up system.
- Boot-strap mode build-up and steady-state operation of the engine were successfully demonstrated.
- ISRO has successfully demonstrated boot-strap mode starting of a gas-generator cycle cryogenic engine without any auxiliary start-up system, perhaps for the first time in the world.
- This achievement is a significant milestone towards enhancing the restart capability and mission flexibility of future LVM3 flights.
Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) Announces Record 266.78 GW Clean Energy Capacity
[Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE)]
Key Updates:
- India marked a record-breaking year in its clean energy journey in 2025, with non-fossil fuel installed capacity rising to 266.78 GW, Union Minister of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) Shri Pralhad Joshi said.
- Solar power led the expansion, with installed capacity increasing from 97.86 GW in 2024 to 135.81 GW in 2025, registering a growth of 38.8 per cent.
- Wind energy capacity also witnessed steady growth, rising from 48.16 GW to 54.51 GW, marking an increase of 13.2 per cent.
- Bioenergy installed capacity reached 11.61 GW, including 0.55 GW from waste-to-energy off-grid projects, reflecting steady progress in clean fuel generation and waste management.
- Small hydro power capacity increased to 5.16 GW, supporting decentralised and region-specific renewable energy development.
- Large hydro power capacity stood at 50.91 GW, including 7,175.6 MW of pumped storage, strengthening grid stability and renewable energy integration.
- The progress strengthens India’s pathway towards energy security, climate responsibility and a self-reliant green economy, while moving steadily towards the national target of 500 GW of non-fossil energy capacity by 2030.
- The Minister added that MNRE will continue to work closely with States and stakeholders to further accelerate renewable energy deployment across the country.
Similar Coverage
- The 16th edition of 'The Emissions Gap Report (EGR) 2025' was released by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
- Global Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions reached a record high of 57.7 Gigatonnes of Carbon Dioxide equivalent (GtCO2e) in 2024.
- This marks an increase of 2.3% in global GHG emissions compared to 2023 emissions.
- India recorded the largest year-on-year increase in emissions (+0.165 GtCO₂e), followed by China, Russia, Indonesia, and the United States of America (USA).
- China, the USA, India, the European Union (EU), Russia, and Indonesia continue to be the largest global emitters.
- The report projects that even if countries fully implement their updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), average global temperatures are expected to increase by 2.3 °C to 2.5 °C above pre-industrial levels by the end of the century.
- To align with the 1.5 °C target, countries are required to reduce annual emissions by 55% by 2035, compared with 2019 levels.
- Non-fossil sources account for 51.37% of India’s installed electricity capacity while fossil fuels contribute 48.6%.
- Total power capacity hits 5.05 Lakh MW.
- Total renewable energy capacity stands at 2,50,643 MW.
- Solar capacity reaches 1,29,924 MW.
- Wind capacity reaches 53,600 MW.
- Hydro plus Pumped Storage capacity stands at 50,348 MW.
- Biomass and Waste-to-Energy capacity stands at 11,613 MW.
- Battery Energy Storage totals 43.22 GWh under implementation.
- Pumped Storage Projects total 11,870 MW under construction.
- Nuclear energy target is 100 GW by 2047.
- SMR Mission allocation is ₹20,000 crore.
- Green Hydrogen Mission targets 5 MMT production by 2030.
- Green Hydrogen Mission dedicates 125 GW RE capacity by 2030.
- 100% FDI allowed under automatic route for renewables.
- India’s energy demand is projected to rise by an average of 3% annually till 2035, the fastest among all emerging markets and developing economies.
- India’s oil use is expected to rise from 5.5 million barrels per day (mbpd) in 2024 to 8 mbpd by 2035.
- India’s oil import dependency is set to climb from 87% in 2024 to 92% by 2035.
- India’s refining capacity is expected to grow from 6 mbpd in 2024 to 7.5 mbpd by 2035.
- India’s natural gas demand is projected to nearly double to 140 billion cubic metres (bcm) by 2035.
- India’s coal production will increase by around 50 million tonnes of coal equivalent (Mtce) by 2035.
- India’s carbon emissions are likely to peak around 2040 at roughly 3.4 gigatonnes per year.
- India's total installed electricity capacity reached 500.89 GW as of September 30, 2025, up from 249 GW in 2014
- Non-fossil fuel sources (renewable energy, hydro, and nuclear) account for 256.09 GW, over 51% of total capacity
- Fossil fuel-based sources stand at 244.80 GW, about 49% of total capacity
- India added 28 GW of non-fossil capacity and 5.1 GW of fossil-fuel capacity in the first half of this fiscal year
- On July 29, 2025, renewables met 51.5% of India's total electricity demand of 203 GW, achieving the highest-ever renewable energy share
2nd Khelo India Beach Games set to begin at Ghoghla Beach in Diu
[Daman & Diu, Dadra & Nagar Haveli]
Key Updates:
- More than 2,100 athletes will participate in eight different sports of the Beach Games.
- The games will be held between the 5th and 10th of January under the technical supervision of the Sports Authority of India and national sports federations.
- The six medal sports will be – Beach Soccer, Beach Volleyball, Beach Sepak Takraw, Beach Kabaddi, Pencak Silat and Open water swimming.
- Mallakhamb and Tug of War will be non-medal events.
Similar Coverage
- The Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, Government of India, will conduct the first-ever Khelo India Tribal Games (KITG) starting February 14, 2026 in Chhattisgarh.
- Promising athletes identified during KITG will be inducted as Khelo India Athletes and receive Rs 5 lakh per year for eight years, including financial support and 360-degree assistance.
- The Games will feature seven competitive disciplines—Archery, Athletics, Football, Hockey, Wrestling, Swimming and Weightlifting—and two demonstration sports showcasing indigenous traditions.
- The Tamil Nadu government has selected 10 other beaches in Tamil Nadu to pursue global certification.
- These targeted beaches include four in Chennai, two in Cuddalore, and one each in Villupuram, Nagapattinam, Ramanathapuram, and Tuticorin.
- The initiative involves the commitment of the state government and the local community in maintaining global eco-standards.
- The Department of Environment, Climate Change and Forests is involved in this effort, with congratulations extended to them and the Chengalpattu district administration.
- The objective is to make beaches clean, safe, inclusive, and sustainable.
- The International Blue Flag Certification for 2025-26 was awarded to beaches.
- The Denmark-based Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE), an international agency, awarded the Blue Flag certification.
- Altogether 13 beaches across the country have been recognised for 2025-26.
- Out of the recognised beaches, 12 have been fully awarded and one (Eden beach, Puducherry) has been conditionally awarded.
- Two of the fully awarded beaches are from Odisha.
- The certification signifies that the beaches meet stringent international standards of cleanliness, environmental sustainability, and safety.
- The certification is renewed annually after detailed inspections by national and international committees and compliances of 33 various criteria covering water quality, environmental education, safety, waste management, cleanliness and eco-friendly infrastructure.
- Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal virtually inaugurated the 3rd Session of the Council of the International Association of Marine Aids to Navigation and Lighthouse Authorities (IALA) in Mumbai.
- The session is organized by the Directorate General of Lighthouses and Lightships (DGLL) under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW).
- The event brings together 42 IALA Council Members, 3 AIMG Members, 11 international observers, IALA Secretariat delegates, and representatives from over 30 countries.
- India launched a Digital Ticketing Portal for Lighthouse Tourism to streamline visitor access to 75 lighthouse destinations across the country.
- All lighthouses in India are now fully solar powered, and tourism footfall at these sites has seen significant growth.
- India is a proactive member of the IALA Council, contributing to technical cooperation, training programmes, and standard-setting for safe navigation.