Daily Current Affairs: 18 January 2026

Analysis for 18 January 2026

Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation invites nominations for Sukhatme National Award in Statistics 2026

[Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation]

Key Updates:

The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation has invited online nominations for the Sukhatme National Award in Statistics 2026 through the National Awards Portal.
The award recognises Indian statisticians aged 45 years and above for lifetime contributions to official statistics.
Nominations must be submitted by January 31 2026 and the award will be presented on Statistics Day June 29 2026.

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International Union for the Scientific Study of Population (IUSSP) receives 2025 United Nations Population Award (Start of December) ▼

United Nations Population Fund India (UNFPA India) honored International Union for the Scientific Study of Population (IUSSP) for receipt of the 2025 United Nations Population Award during the 46th Annual Conference of the Indian Association for the Study of Population.
Shireen Jejeebhoy is President of IUSSP.
Andrea M Wojnar is Representative of UNFPA India.
The conference theme is 'People, Planet, Prosperity.'

BW Legal World announced winners of 6th Edition of 40 Under 40 Lawyers and Legal Influencers Awards 2025 (End of December) ▼

BW Legal World announced the winners of the 6th Edition of 40 Under 40 Lawyers and Legal Influencers Awards 2025.
The awards ceremony was held in Delhi and recognised emerging legal professionals for exceptional contributions in corporate advisory, dispute resolution, regulatory practice, technology transactions and cross-border mandates.
Abhinav Mishra, Founder of Chambers of Abhinav Mishra, was among the award winners.
Aditya Ganju, Partner at AG Chambers, was among the award winners.
Akshay Sachthey, Partner at Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas & Co., was among the award winners.
Deepika Narayan Bharadwaj, Director of Ekam Nyaay Foundation, was among the award winners.
Shashank Agarwal, Founder of Legum Solis, was among the award winners.
Varun Singh, Founder & Managing Partner of Foresight Law Offices India, was among the award winners.

BW Legal World (BWLW) Announced Winners For 6th Edition Of 40 Under 40 Lawyers And Legal Influencers Awards 2025 (End of December) ▼

BW Legal World (BWLW) announced the winners of the 6th Edition of the 40 Under 40 Lawyers and Legal Influencers Awards 2025 on December 21, 2025.
The award ceremony was hosted in Delhi and brought together rising leaders from across India’s legal and policy ecosystem.
The 40 Under 40 Awards 2025 jury comprised distinguished individuals including Dr U.K. Chaudhary, Dr Anurag Batra, Rakhi Biswas, Pramod Dubey, and Arvind Nayar.
The winners included Abhinav Mishra of Chambers of Abhinav Mishra, Abhisaar Bairagi of Khaitan & Co, Arjit Pratap Singh of Adani Energy Solutions, and Prateek Sethi of Bharti Group.
The awards recognized practitioners for exceptional contributions in corporate advisory, dispute resolution, regulatory practice, technology transactions, and cross-border mandates.
The jury also included legal experts such as Gopika Pant of Indian Law Partners, Harry Chawla of Luthra & Luthra Law Offices India, and Vani Mehta of GE Aerospace.

6th National Water Awards 2024: Maharashtra adjudged Best State (Mid of November) ▼

National Water Awards 2024 instituted by Department of Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation, Ministry of Jal Shakti
Objective: "to promote awareness on water conservation and highlight grassroots efforts aligned with the government's 'Jal Samridh Bharat' vision"
46 winners across 10 categories (Best State, Best District, Best Village Panchayat, Best Urban Local Body, Best School/College, Best Industry, Best Water User Association, Best Institution, Best Civil Society, Best Individual)

Praveen Vashista appointed Vigilance Commissioner in Central Vigilance Commission

Key Updates:

Praveen Vashista, 1991-batch IPS officer of Bihar cadre, was sworn in as Vigilance Commissioner in the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC).
He took voluntary retirement from the post of Special Secretary (Internal Security) in the Ministry of Home Affairs before the appointment.
As per the Central Vigilance Commission Act, 2003, Vigilance Commissioners hold office for four years or until they attain the age of 65 years.

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Sadanand Vasant Date took charge as Director General of Police, Maharashtra (Start of January) ▼

Sadanand Vasant Date succeeded Rashmi Shukla, the first woman DGP of Maharashtra.
Date, a 1990-batch IPS officer, will occupy the post for two years in line with Supreme Court guidelines.
He has earlier served as chief of the Maharashtra Anti Terrorism Squad and as the first commissioner of the Mira Bhayandar Vasai Virar police Commissionerate.

Vivek Chaturvedi appointed Chairman of Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (End of November) ▼

Vivek Chaturvedi, a 1990 batch Indian Revenue Service (C&IT) officer, has been appointed as the new Chairman of the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC).
He succeeds Sanjay Kumar Agarwal, who superannuated.
Chaturvedi is currently serving as Member, CBIC Board (Tax Policy and Legal).
He has earlier served as Director General of Analytics and Risk Management (DGARM) and as Principal Director General of Vigilance and Chief Vigilance Officer for the Board.

Justice Vikram Nath named NALSA executive chairman (End of November) ▼

Justice Vikram Nath has been nominated as the new executive chairperson of the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA).
The appointment takes effect from November 24.
The nomination was made by the President of India and notified by the ministry of law and justice.
As per convention, the post of executive chairperson of NALSA goes to the second senior-most judge of the Supreme Court.
Justice Nath is currently next in line after Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant.
NALSA is tasked with ensuring free and competent legal services for marginalised and economically weaker citizens.
Justice Nath is also in line to serve as the CJI for seven months.
NALSA's constitutional mandate under Article 39A is to ensure that no individual is denied justice due to financial or social constraints.
Before this appointment, Justice Nath served as Chairman of the Supreme Court Legal Services Committee (SCLSC).
Justice Vikram Nath was elevated to the Supreme Court in 2021.
He previously served as chief justice of the Gujarat High Court.
Justice Nath was part of the five-judge Constitution bench that delivered an opinion on the President’s Article 143 reference concerning delays in granting assent to state bills.
This bench held that neither the Governors nor the President could be bound by judicially imposed timelines for granting assent.
Justice Nath led the three-judge bench that modified directions concerning mass capture and non-release of stray dogs in Delhi-NCR.
The larger bench directed all states and Union territories to remove stray dogs from schools, hospitals, sports complexes, bus depots, and railway stations, and said they cannot be released back after sterilization.
Justice Nath’s bench sought the Union government’s response on whether individuals acquitted after years on death row are entitled to compensation for wrongful incarceration.
He authored the judgment for the three-judge bench that acquitted Surendra Koli in the sole surviving Nithari killing case.
The bench held that Koli's conviction could not be sustained when he had already been acquitted in other connected cases arising from the same set of facts and evidentiary material.
Justice Nath, along with Justice Sandeep Mehta, issued comprehensive guidelines to address the mental health crisis among students, particularly in coaching hubs.

Pradhan Mantri Virasat Ka Samvardhan (PM VIKAS) scheme for socio-economic empowerment of minority communities (Start of December) ▼

Ministry of Minority Affairs is implementing the scheme. "According to the Ministry of Minority Affairs"
Focuses on socio-economic empowerment of six notified minority communities through skill development, support for women entrepreneurs, and education assistance for school dropouts. "the Pradhan Mantri Virasat Ka Samvardhan PM VIKAS scheme is focused on the socio-economic empowerment of six notified minority communities through skill development, support for women entrepreneurs, and education assistance for school dropouts."
Aims to strengthen capacity of minority youth by providing skill training in need-based courses and linking them with employment or self-employment. "PM VIKAS aims to strengthen the capacity of minority youth by providing skill training in need-based courses and linking them with employment or self-employment avenues."
Allocation letters have been issued for training about 1.40 lakh beneficiaries. "allocation letters have been issued for training about 1.40 lakh beneficiaries."
3 per cent of all seats across components are reserved for persons with disabilities. "As per scheme guidelines, 3 per cent of all seats across components are reserved for persons with disabilities."

Reserve Bank of India (RBI) reports India’s forex reserves rose $392 million to $687.19 billion

[Reserve Bank of India (RBI)]

Key Updates:

India’s foreign exchange reserves jumped by $392 million to $687.19 billion in the week ended January 9, 2026.
Foreign currency assets (FCAs) fell by $1.124 billion to $550.87 billion.
Gold holdings rose by $1.568 billion to $112.83 billion.
Special Drawing Rights (SDRs) edged down by $39 million to $18.739 billion.
India’s reserve position with the International Monetary Fund fell by $13 million to $4.758 billion.

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India’s Gold Imports Triple to Record USD 14.72 bn in October, Trade Deficit Widens (Mid of November) ▼

Gold imports surged about threefold to a record USD 14.72 billion in October compared to USD 4.92 billion in October 2024.
Cumulative gold imports during April-October this fiscal rose 21.44 per cent to USD 41.23 billion from USD 34 billion a year ago.
High gold imports pushed the country’s trade deficit to a record USD 41.68 billion in October.
Gold accounts for over 5 per cent of India’s total imports.
Switzerland is the largest source of gold imports with about 40 per cent share, followed by the UAE (over 16 per cent) and South Africa (about 10 per cent).
Imports from Switzerland jumped by 403.67 per cent to USD 5.08 billion during October.
Silver imports in October 2025 jumped by 528.71 per cent to USD 2.71 billion.

Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Reports $9.809 Billion Decline in India's Forex Reserves (Mid of January) ▼

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) data shows India’s foreign exchange reserves fell by $9.809 billion to $686.801 billion in the week ended January 02, 2026.
Foreign Currency Assets (FCAs), the largest component of the reserves, decreased by $7.622 billion to stand at $551.99 billion.
Gold reserves decreased by $2.058 billion during the week to reach a total of $111.262 billion.
Special Drawing Rights (SDRs) with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) dropped by $25 million to $18.778 billion.
The country’s reserve position in the IMF decreased by $105 million to $4.771 billion as of December 26.
In the previous week ending December 26, the reserves had increased by $3.293 billion to $696.61 billion.
The RBI intervenes in the foreign exchange market to curb excessive volatility in the rupee without anchoring to any predetermined exchange rate level.

India's Forex Reserves Rise by $5.54 Billion to $692.57 Billion, Driven by Gold Holdings (End of November) ▼

India’s foreign exchange reserves increased by USD 5.543 billion for the week ended 14 November.
The total foreign exchange reserves reached USD 692.576 billion.
This rise followed a decline of USD 2.699 billion in the previous reporting week, when reserves had slipped to USD 687.034 billion.
The surge was largely driven by gold holdings, which rose by USD 5.327 billion, taking the total to USD 106.857 billion.
Foreign currency assets (FCAs) saw a modest rise of USD 152 million, bringing the total to USD 562.29 billion.
Special Drawing Rights (SDRs) increased by USD 56 million to USD 18.65 billion.
The reserve position in the IMF was higher by USD 8 million, reaching USD 4.779 billion.

RBI Repatriates Gold, Boosts Domestic Reserves and Foreign Exchange Assets (Mid of November) ▼

The Reserve Bank of India, between March 2025 and September 2025, has brought over 64 tonnes of gold back to the country.
Since March 2023, the RBI has brought home 274 tonnes of gold.
The Reserve Bank's gold reserve stands at 880 metric tonnes as of September 2025, according to its Half Yearly Report on Management of Foreign Exchange Reserves.
Of this, 575.8 metric tonnes are currently in India, while another 290.37 metric tonnes of gold are kept with the Bank of England (BoE) and the Bank for International Settlements (BIS) in Switzerland.
The share of gold in the total foreign exchange reserves rose from 11.70 per cent in March 2025 to around 13.92 per cent in September 2025.
The RBI also has foreign currency assets of around $579.18 billion (about Rs 51.09 lakh crore) , comprising $489.54 billion (about Rs 43.15 lakh crore) in securities investments, $46.11 billion (about Rs 4.07 lakh crore) in deposits with other central banks and BIS, and another $43.53 billion (about Rs 3.84 lakh crore) in deposits with overseas commercial banks.

GAIL (India) Ltd (GAIL) completes 694-km Mumbai-Nagpur Natural Gas Pipeline (MNPL) in Maharashtra

[GAIL (India) Ltd, Maharashtra]

Key Updates:

GAIL (India) Ltd (GAIL) has completed the 694-kilometre Mumbai-Nagpur Natural Gas Pipeline (MNPL) built along the Samruddhi Mahamarg expressway.
The pipeline has a capacity of approximately 16.5 million standard cubic metres per day and features bi-directional flow capability.
The project marks India's first major integration of a high-capacity pipeline into a dense transport corridor under the PM-GatiShakti framework.
Around 675 km of the 24-inch high-capacity gas line was installed within a utility strip just three metres wide.
The MNPL will enable city gas distribution networks in 16 districts, supporting piped natural gas for an estimated 95 lakh households and over 1,700 CNG stations.
The project reached completion after delivering 18.7 million safe man-hours and navigating clearances across 10 districts covering 56 km.
The pipeline is designed to support industrial growth in sectors such as power generation, fertilisers, chemicals, and manufacturing.

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GAIL-Chhattisgarh MoU for 12.7 LMT gas-based urea project (End of December) ▼

GAIL signed an MoU with the Chhattisgarh government to undertake detailed techno-economic studies for a greenfield gas-based fertiliser project.
The project includes a 12.7 lakh metric tonne urea plant proposed along GAIL’s Mumbai–Nagpur–Jharsuguda natural gas pipeline corridor.
The state government will support feasibility studies, land identification and allocation, statutory approvals, and enabling infrastructure.

National PNG Drive 2.0 to Promote Piped Natural Gas (Mid of January) ▼

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.

BPCL signs MoUs for ₹1 lakh crore refinery, pipelines, and green energy projects (End of October) ▼

Bharat Petroleum Corporation (BPCL) signed three Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with Oil India (OIL), Numaligarh Refinery (NRL), and Fertilisers & Chemicals Travancore (FACT) at the 28th Energy Technology Meet 2025 in Hyderabad.
BPCL and OIL signed a non-binding MoU to explore collaboration in developing BPCL’s upcoming greenfield refinery and petrochemical complex near Ramayapatnam Port, Nellore district, Andhra Pradesh, with an estimated investment of ₹1 lakh crore.
The proposed Ramayapatnam facility will have a refining capacity of 9-12 million metric tonnes per annum (MMTPA) and feature a 1.5 MMTPA ethylene cracker unit with 35 per cent petrochemical intensity.
BPCL, OIL, and NRL signed a tripartite MoU for the joint construction of a 700-km cross-country product pipeline from Siliguri to Mughalsarai, with an estimated investment of ₹3,500 crore.
BPCL signed an MoU with FACT for the supply and trading of fermented organic manure and liquid fermented organic manure produced from BPCL’s upcoming municipal solid waste-based compressed biogas plant at Brahmapuram, near Kochi Refinery.
The Brahmapuram plant will process 150 MT of municipal waste per day, generating 5.6 MT of compressed biogas (CBG), along with 28 MT of fermented organic manure (FOM) and 100 KL of liquid fermented organic manure (LFOM) daily.
The Ramayapatnam project has secured 6,000 acres of land from the Government of Andhra Pradesh and is slated for commercial operations by FY30.

India ranks third globally with 65 commercial-scale clean industrial projects worth over USD 150 billion (Start of November) ▼

India has 65 commercial-scale clean industrial projects worth over USD 150 billion, making it the world’s third-largest pipeline behind China and the United States.
Only six of these projects have reached the Final Investment Decision (FID) stage, according to the Industrial Transition Accelerator (ITA) report.
The projects are concentrated in Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu.
The chemicals sector accounts for nearly 80% of the pipeline, with 50 clean ammonia and methanol projects totaling 30–35 million tonnes per annum capacity.
The report estimates these projects could abate 160–175 million tonnes of CO₂ annually and create more than two lakh direct and indirect jobs.

Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) Revamps Mutual Fund Regulations and Rationalises Brokerage Caps

[Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI)]

Key Updates:

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) has notified revamped Mutual Fund Regulations that will come into effect from April 1, 2026.
Sebi has introduced a provision allowing mutual fund schemes to charge a base expense ratio (BER) linked to the performance of the scheme.
The new regulations introduce the concept of a base expense ratio (BER) which represents only the fee charged by an Asset Management Company (AMC) for managing investors’ money.
Levies such as brokerage, securities transaction tax, stamp duty, and exchange fees must now be disclosed separately rather than being aggregated under the total expense ratio.
The brokerage ceiling in the cash market has been reduced to 6 basis points (bps) from an effective 8.59 bps.
The net brokerage cap in the derivatives segment has been lowered to 2 bps from 3.89 bps.
The framework expands the responsibilities of trustees and key managerial personnel to tighten oversight and reinforce governance standards across AMCs.

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Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) grants in-principle approval to Ashika Group to sponsor Ashika Mutual Fund. (Start of January) ▼

Ashika Group has received in-principle approval from the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) to act as sponsor and set up Ashika Mutual Fund.
The approval allows the company to proceed with establishing an Asset Management Company (AMC) and preparing for the launch of mutual fund schemes, subject to fulfilling SEBI’s final registration requirements and conditions.
Ashika Group’s financial services portfolio includes retail and institutional broking, investment banking, research advisory, global family office services, alternative asset management and private equity.
The Group has a retail broking client base exceeding 125,000 and a presence across more than 20 states.

Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) tightens merchant banker capital and liquidity norms (Start of January) ▼

Sebi mandates Category I merchant bankers to raise minimum net worth to Rs 25 crore by January 2027 and Rs 50 crore by January 2028.
Category I entities must hold liquid net worth of Rs 6.25 crore in phase-1 and Rs 12.5 crore in phase-2.
Category II merchant bankers require net worth of Rs 7.5 crore and Rs 10 crore across the two phases with liquid buffers of Rs 1.875 crore and Rs 2.5 crore.
Underwriting obligations capped at 20 times liquid net worth with compliance deadline of January 02, 2028.
Half-yearly chartered accountant certification mandated for capital, liquidity and underwriting compliance.
Minimum revenue thresholds set at Rs 25 crore over three years for Category I and Rs 5 crore for Category II with first assessment in FY29.
India raised over $21 billion through IPOs and public issues in 2025 becoming the world’s second-largest equity issuance hub.

Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) overhauls mutual fund regulations and cuts expense ratio limits (Mid of December) ▼

Total Expense Ratio shall now be the sum of BER, brokerage, regulatory levies and statutory levies.
Base expense ratio limits for equity-oriented schemes and other than equity oriented schemes under various AUM slabs have been cut by up to 15 basis points.
Base expense ratio limit for index funds or ETF revised to 0.9 per cent from 1 per cent.
Close-ended equity-oriented schemes BER limit now stands at 1 per cent as against 1.25 per cent.
Maximum brokerage fee that mutual funds pay on cash market transactions halved to 6 bps from 12 bps.
Brokerage cap for derivative transactions revised downwards to 2 bps from 5 bps, excluding applicable levies.
SEBI removed the additional 5 bps expense allowance currently permitted to be charged to schemes with exit loads as a transitory measure.

Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) mandates NISM certification for Alternative Investment Funds (AIF) compliance officers from 2027. (Start of January) ▼

Sebi requires the Compliance Officer of Manager of an AIF to obtain certification from the National Institute of Securities Market by passing the NISM Series-III-C: Securities Intermediaries Compliance (Fund) Certification Examination.
From January 1, 2027, only certified persons can be appointed or continue as compliance officers of managers of AIFs.
Trustee/sponsor/managers of AIFs must reflect compliance with this requirement in the 'Compliance Test Report' prepared by the manager.

Lokpal of India inaugurates State-of-the-Art Data Centre for Paperless Complaint Processing

[Lokpal of India]

Key Updates:

Lokpal inaugurated a newly built state-of-the-art data centre aimed at providing end-to-end robust and digitised, paperless processing of complaints to enhance efficiency and ensure confidentiality.
Lokpal benches have increased sittings consistently, ensuring minimal pendency and timely disposal of complaints.
Lokpal chairperson Justice AM Khanwilkar stated that the number of complaints received has increased steadily over the last two years, reflecting greater citizen engagement.

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Formation Days of Indian States and Union Territories on November 1 (Start of November) ▼

All these states and the Union Territory of Puducherry celebrate their formation day on November 1.
Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala and Lakshadweep came into being on this day in 1956.
Punjab and Haryana were formed in 1966.
Chhattisgarh was carved out of Madhya Pradesh in 2000.

Atal Bihari Vajpayee birth anniversary commemorated as National Good Governance Day (End of December) ▼

December 25 is celebrated every year as National Good Governance Day to honour former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
Vajpayee was born on December 25, 1924, in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh.
He served three terms as Prime Minister and delivered landmark speeches during the Pokhran nuclear tests, 1996 resignation, 2000 US Congress address, 1977 UN speech, and 2002 Independence Day.

Uttarakhand Foundation Day celebrated on November 9 (Start of November) ▼

Uttarakhand was carved out of Uttar Pradesh and became India’s 27th state on November 9, 2000.
The day is celebrated every year as the state’s foundation day.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi described Uttarakhand as a 'sacred land today accelerating progress in every field, including tourism'.

Constitution Day of India observed on November 26 (End of November) ▼

India celebrates Constitution Day on November 26 to honour the adoption of the Constitution.
Before 2015, November 26 was formally observed as the National Law Day.
In 2015, the government officially notified November 26 as ‘Constitution Day’ (Samvidhan Divas) to promote constitutional values among citizens.
The year 2015 also marked the 125th birth anniversary of BR Ambedkar, also called the ‘father’ and ‘chief architect’ of the Indian Constitution.
Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar was the chairman of the Drafting Committee of the Constitution, who was also the first law minister of independent India.
The Indian Constitution was formally adopted on November 26, 1949.
After two months, on January 26, 1950, it came into effect, and the day was declared as Republic Day.
The Constituent Assembly, the body assigned to draft the constitution, took 2 years, 11 months, and 18 days to complete the drafting of the constitution.
In 1934, M.N. Roy proposed the idea to form the Constituent Assembly.
In 1946, the Constituent Assembly was constituted under the Cabinet Mission Plan.
On December 9, 1946, the first session was held with 207 members including 9 women.
On January 22, 1947, the Objectives Resolution was adopted as the Preamble.
On August 29, 1947, the Drafting Committee was formed under BR Ambedkar.
On November 4, 1948, the First Draft Constitution was presented to the Assembly.
The Forty-Second Amendment Act, 1976, introduced ‘socialist’, ‘secular’ and ‘integrity’ in the Preamble.
The Forty-Fourth Amendment Act, 1978, reduced the Right to Property from being a “fundamental right” to a “legal right”.
The Sixty-First Amendment Act, 1989, reduced the voting age in the nation from 21 years to 18 years.
The Eighty-Sixth Amendment Act, 2002, led to the inclusion of the Right to Education as Article 21A.
The One-Hundred First Amendment Act, 2016, led to the introduction of Goods Service Tax (GST).
The Golaknath v. State of Punjab (1967) ruling limited Parliament’s power to amend the Constitution for the first time.
The Kesavananda Bharati v. State of Kerala (1973) ruling held that the ‘basic structure’ of the Constitution is inviolable.
In Indira Nehru Gandhi v. Raj Narain (1975), the Supreme Court of India, applying the basic structure doctrine for the first time, struck down the 39th Amendment clause.
The Maneka Gandhi v. Union of India (1978) ruling established the interconnection between three different provisions of the Constitution, Article 21, 19 and 14.
The Minerva Mills v. Union of India (1980) ruling held that the Parliament cannot destroy the basic structure of the Indian constitution.
The Olga Tellis v. Bombay Municipal Corporation (1985) ruling held that the right to livelihood is included in the right to life and personal liberty.
The S. R. Bommai v. Union of India (1994) ruling set limits on the President’s power to impose President’s Rule.
The Right to Privacy Judgment (Justice K. S. Puttaswamy v. Union of India, 2017) ruled the right to privacy as a fundamental right protected under Article 21 of the Constitution.
The Government of NCT of Delhi v. Union of India (2018) verdict held that Delhi’s Lieutenant Governor (LG) must act on the advice of the Delhi government’s Council of Ministers for matters within the elected government’s authority, except for police, public order and land.
The Associated for Democratic Reforms v. Union of India (2024) ruling struck down the Electoral Bonds Scheme, 2018, finding it unconstitutional.
The electoral bonds scheme allowed corporations and individuals to anonymously donate money to political parties by purchasing electoral bonds from the State Bank of India (SBI).

Odisha Ame Padhiba Ama Bhasare Initiative Early Education in Mother Tongues

[Odisha]

Key Updates:

The Odisha government launched the 'Ame Padhiba Ama Bhasare' initiative to provide early education in mother tongues for children aged three to six.
The programme will initially cover districts like Keonjhar and Malkangiri, delivering education in tribal languages such as Munda and Kui.
The state also announced a 100-day campaign against child marriage with the goal of eradicating child marriage by 2030, piloted in Mayurbhanj and Malkangiri.

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Akka Pade Scheme State-wide Rollout to Protect Women and Minor Girls (Mid of January) ▼

The Karnataka Cabinet has approved the statewide implementation of the 'Akka Pade' scheme across all 31 districts and five police commissionerates.
The decision is aimed at strengthening efforts to prevent atrocities against minor girls and women, including child marriages, by extending the initiative beyond its pilot phase.
Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister HK Patil said the 'Akka Pade' scheme was initially launched on a trial basis in select districts to curb child marriages and protect minor girls and women from abuse and exploitation.

Pankhudi Portal Launched to Streamline Non-Monetary Contributions for Women & Child Welfare (Start of January) ▼

The Union Women and Child Development Minister Annpurna Devi launched 'Pankhudi', a portal to facilitate contributions by individuals, NGOs and corporates to government initiatives for early childhood care and women empowerment.
The portal will streamline voluntary and institutional contributions across key thematic areas, including nutrition, health, early childhood care and education (ECCE), child welfare, protection and rehabilitation, and women's safety and empowerment.
The portal does not allow monetary contributions and is described as a 'non-monetary, transparent, and result-oriented' platform.
Contributors can register on the portal, identify initiatives, submit proposals, and track the status of their contributions through clearly defined approval workflows.

Ministry of Women and Child Development launches 100-day Bal Vivah Mukt Bharat Campaign (Start of December) ▼

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.

Nayi Chetna 4.0 Launched to Combat Gender-Based Violence Nationwide (End of November) ▼

Union Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Women and Child Development Minister Annapurna Devi launched Nayi Chetna 4.0.
Eleven Union ministries will collaborate under the campaign to eliminate gender-based discrimination and violence.
A tripartite inter-ministerial Letter of Intent was signed between the Ministry of Women and Child Development, the Ministry of Law and Justice, and the Ministry of Rural Development.
The campaign will run across all Indian States and Union Territories until December 23, 2025.

Jharkhand notifies Panchayat Extension of Scheduled Areas (PESA) Rules empowering gram sabhas

[Jharkhand]

Key Updates:

The Jharkhand government has notified the rules under the Panchayat Extension of Scheduled Areas (PESA) Act.
The rules aim to restore and protect the rights of tribal communities over their land, water, forest resources, culture, and governance systems.
Pre-consent of gram sabha will be required on issues of land acquisition and rehabilitation.
No manufacture, storage, or sale of liquor will be allowed without the consent of the gram sabha.
The gram sabha has the right to monitor schools, anganwadis, health centres and PDS shops located in rural areas.
Each gram sabha will create its own 'Gram Kosh' funded by royalties from minor forest produce, pond leases, market fees, sand ghats, etc.

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PESA Mahotsav 2025: Celebrating Community-Led Governance under PESA Act (End of December) ▼

The Ministry of Panchayati Raj (MoPR) is celebrating a two-day PESA Mahotsav: Utsav Lok Sanskriti Ka on December 23 and 24 in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh.
The Mahotsav marks the anniversary of the Panchayats Extension to Scheduled Areas (PESA) Act, 1996, which empowers tribal communities by extending Panchayati Raj provisions to their scheduled lands.
The objective is to spread awareness on the Act and improve capabilities of local bodies in Scheduled Areas.

Bihar Cabinet approves 'Saat Nishchay-3' to double per capita income and create one crore jobs (End of December) ▼

The Bihar government approved the 'Saat Nishchay-3' (SN-3) programme for the period 2025-2030 to bring Bihar into the category of most developed states.
The SN-3 programme aims to double the average per capita income of people of Bihar to ensure double employment and double income.
A target has been set to create jobs and employment opportunities for one crore youth over the next five years, supported by the newly constituted Department of Youth, Employment and Skill Development (DYESD).
The Bihar government aims to ensure at least Rs 50 lakh crore of private investment in the state over the next five years.
The scheme will prioritise the 94 lakh poor families identified during the cast-based survey of 2023 in terms of providing employment.
In the healthcare sector, a policy will be introduced to provide separate incentives for doctors and to prohibit private practice by government doctors.
The education sector reforms include the development of old educational institutions into 'centres of excellence' alongside the establishment of an education city.
The agriculture sector will focus on accelerating the 4th Agriculture Roadmap for 2024 to 2029 and the preparation of a Makhana Roadmap to promote its production and processing.

World Bank (WB) approves USD 776 million for Punjab education and Maharashtra farmer income boost. (End of November) ▼

World Bank (WB) approved USD 286 million for Punjab Outcomes-Acceleration in School Education Operation (POISE) to improve quality education using technology.
POISE will support 13 lakh primary and 2.2 million secondary students plus 59 lakh early childhood education beneficiaries.
WB sanctioned USD 490 million for Maharashtra Project on Climate Resilient Agriculture (POCRA) Phase II to raise smallholder farmer incomes by 30%.
POCRA Phase II will benefit over 20 lakh small and marginal farmers including 2.9 lakh women across 21 Maharashtra districts.
POISE carries 19-year final maturity with 5-year grace; POCRA Phase II has 24-year final maturity with 6-year grace.

PM-JANMAN Initiative for Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (End of November) ▼

PM-JANMAN focuses on housing, health, education and livelihood for Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs).
Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan improves village-level infrastructure and governance.
Adi Karmayogi Abhiyan provides capacity building and leadership development for frontline tribal welfare officials.

CSIR Integrated Skill Initiative trains over 2 lakh workers

[Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)]

Key Updates:

The CSIR Integrated Skill Initiative has trained over 2 lakh workers across the country.
During phase I and II, more than 1.90 lakh individuals were trained through 5200+ skill-based trainings, including special targeted initiatives for rural citizens and women.
The third phase was officially launched in June 2025 by Dr. N. Kalaiselvi, Director General, CSIR, and Secretary, DSIR, with a reinvigorated focus on advanced skilling, bridging academia-industry gaps, and accelerating development and growth.
The first year of the third phase has already trained more than 14,000 trainees by conducting 425+ training programmes across 37 CSIR laboratories, nationwide.
The initiative is closely aligned with the national vision of 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' and 'Skill India'.
It caters to a diverse spectrum of beneficiaries ranging from students, young researchers, technical staff, and working professionals to school dropouts, ITI diploma holders, farmers, and rural communities.
The programme spans 18 out of 36 key sectoral skills as identified by the National Skill Development Mission (NSDM).

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India Skills Report 2026: Women’s Employability Surpasses Men at 54% vs 51.5% (Mid of November) ▼

Women’s employability rate stands at 54%, surpassing men’s rate of 51.5% for the first time in five years.
Computer science graduates record 80% employability and IT engineers 78%, driven by AI, data analytics, and automation roles.
Commerce graduates’ employability rose sharply to 62.81% from 55% the previous year, reflecting BFSI and Fintech hiring surges.

Karnataka to Establish Skill University at Sandur, Targets Skilling 3 Million Youths by 2032 (Start of November) ▼

Scheme Name: Skill University at Sandur, Ballari district, Karnataka
Objective: 'make Karnataka a state for skills' and equip youths with 'right skills, mindset and confidence'
Target: Skill three million youths by 2032 and strengthen global placement linkages
Implementing Department: Department of Skill Development and Livelihood, Government of Karnataka
Key Feature: Integration of skills into every stage of education and building a culture of lifelong learning

DGT and Autodesk Collaborate to Enhance Design and Make Skills for India’s Vocational Workforce (Start of November) ▼

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Directorate General of Training (DGT) under the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) and Autodesk.
The collaboration aims to advance digital design and make skills among faculty and trainers in National Skill Training Institutes (NSTIs) and Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) across India.
The initiative seeks to strengthen the digital capabilities of trainers and educators, enhance employability skills in students, and prepare India’s workforce for the evolving needs of industries, such as architecture, engineering, manufacturing, and construction.
Over the next three years, this partnership will align skill development with rapid advancements in AI, industry innovation, and emerging career pathways.
Autodesk will extend its professional-grade software to educators and students across more than 14,500 ITIs and 33 NSTIs.
The initiative will involve the joint development of educational programs, curriculum, and learning activities, leveraging Autodesk’s technology.

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 employment to about 188 million.
The two NITI Aayog reports are titled “India’s Services Sector: Insights from Employment Trends and State-Level Dynamics” and “India’s Services Sector: Insights from GVA Trends and State-Level Dynamics”.
Gross employment elasticity increased from 0.35 before the pandemic to 0.63 in the post-pandemic period.
India’s services sector continues to lag the global average of about 50 percent.
NITI Aayog projected that artificial intelligence (AI) could generate up to 4 million new jobs in India by 2030.

Maharashtra State Election Commission probes viral videos of indelible ink removal

[Maharashtra]

Key Updates:

Maharashtra State Election Commissioner Dinesh Waghmare said viral videos showing people removing ink from their fingers after casting vote are under investigation.
The State Election Commission warned of action against attempts to spread a false narrative regarding the ink removal incident.
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation rejected reports claiming that the ink marks on voters' fingers were being wiped off during the ongoing civic polls.
Marker ink from the Kores company has been in use since 2011 and the chemical composition of the ink is correct, as stated by Waghmare.

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Special Intensive Revision (SIR) achieves 100% digitisation of Rajasthan voter rolls (Start of December) ▼

Rajasthan completed 100 per cent digitisation of its electoral roll under the Special Intensive Revision (SIR), becoming the first state in the country to do so.
Rajasthan now leads the country in voter mapping with more than 97 per cent of the mapping work completed.
Only 3 per cent of voters will need to furnish documents during the claims-objections phase.

Election Commission of India (ECI) to host India International Conference on Democracy and Election Management (Start of January) ▼

The Election Commission of India (ECI) will host the inaugural India International Conference on Democracy and Election Management from January 21 to 23 at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi.
The three-day conference is organised by the India International Institute of Democracy and Election Management (IIIDEM) under the aegis of the ECI.
Representatives from 42 election management bodies and over 90 international delegates, including from the United States and Bhutan, will participate.
The conference will discuss voter roll management, technological interventions, and Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercises.
India assumes the chair of the Council of Member States of International IDEA for 2026.
The conference theme is 'Democracy for an inclusive, peaceful, resilient and sustainable world.'
Over 40 bilateral meetings are scheduled between the Chief Election Commissioner and heads of participating election authorities.
The conference will launch ECINet, the ECI’s integrated digital platform.
Thematic sessions will cover seven global electoral themes, 11 model international electoral standards, and 25 sessions on best practices.

Election Commission of India (ECI) to host India International Conference on Democracy and Election Management (Start of January) ▼

The Election Commission of India (ECI) will host the inaugural India International Conference on Democracy and Election Management from January 21 to 23 at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi.
The three-day conference is organised by the India International Institute of Democracy and Election Management (IIIDEM) under the aegis of the ECI.
Representatives from 42 election management bodies and over 90 international delegates, including from the United States and Bhutan, will participate.
The conference will discuss voter roll management, technological interventions, and Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercises.
India assumes the chair of the Council of Member States of International IDEA for 2026.
The conference will launch ECINet, the ECI’s integrated digital platform.
Thematic sessions will cover seven global electoral themes, 11 model international electoral standards, and 25 best-practice sessions.

Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls digitisation drive (End of November) ▼

The Election Commission of India reported that more than 47% of the enumeration forms distributed across 12 States and Union Territories have been digitised.
Goa achieved the highest digitisation at 76.89% followed by Rajasthan at 72.20%.
Kerala and Uttar Pradesh recorded the lowest digitisation at 23% and 26.6% respectively.
The enumeration phase began on November 4 and will end on December 4, with the draft list to be published on December 9.

Mizoram Ginger & Dry Broomstick Procurement Scheme

[Mizoram]

Key Updates:

Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma announced the state's procurement of ginger and dry broomsticks from farmers under a government initiative starting February 2.
The scheme offers support prices for crops such as ginger, turmeric, and paddy to improve economic conditions in the agrarian community.
A ginger processing unit was inaugurated in Sairang to enhance the region's positioning as the 'ginger capital of India', a title granted by NITI Aayog.

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All India Spices Exporters Forum to host 9th International Spice Conference in Kochi from 23-26 February 2026 (Mid of January) ▼

The All India Spices Exporters Forum (AISEF) will host the 9th edition of the International Spice Conference (ISC 2026) from February 23 to 26, 2026 in Kochi, Kerala.
The 4-day conference theme is 'Spice 360 – Getting Future Ready'.
Amitabh Kant, former G20 Sherpa and former CEO of NITI Aayog, will inaugurate the conference and deliver the keynote address on 'Transforming Agro-Industry: Innovation, Inclusion & Global Leadership.'
Martin Sonntag, CEO of Oterra, will be the Guest of Honour and speak on 'Shaping the Next Decade of Food & Nutrition: Collaboration, Trust, and Responsibility.'
Emmanuel Nambusseril, Chairman, AISEF, stated that ISC has evolved into a globally recognised platform for knowledge exchange and collaboration across the spice value chain.
Nishesh Shah, Vice Chairman, AISEF, said the theme reflects the industry’s collective responsibility to prepare for the future by navigating trade and climate risks, embracing technology, and building resilient supply chains.
The conference will feature Crops and Markets sessions offering market intelligence and production outlooks for turmeric, ginger, cumin, chilli, Mediterranean herbs, major Chinese spices, black pepper and dehydrated products.

Counter-Terrorism (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019: Asset Freeze on Gurpreet Singh Rehal and Babbar Akali Lehar (Start of December) ▼

HM Treasury imposed an asset freeze and director disqualification on British Sikh businessman Gurpreet Singh Rehal under the Counter-Terrorism (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019.
The sanctions also freeze all UK funds and economic resources of Babbar Akali Lehar, assessed as promoting the proscribed Babbar Khalsa.
UK persons or firms must obtain a Treasury licence before dealing with any funds or providing financial services to Rehal or Babbar Akali Lehar.

Mizoram & NITI Aayog to jointly organise Mizoram Tourism Conclave (Mid of November) ▼

NITI Aayog and the Mizoram government will jointly organise the ‘Mizoram Tourism Conclave’ aimed at developing tourism in the northeastern state.
A task force will be constituted to ensure expeditious fixation of the conclave’s schedule and to widen stakeholder participation.
Tourism Minister Lalnghinglova Hmar highlighted that 1,27,458 tourists (including 2,208 foreigners) visited Mizoram during Aug–Sept, attributing the rise partly to the new railway link up to Sairang.

Mizoram launches GBV Solve Project to curb gender-based violence (Start of November) ▼

Project Name: GBV Solve Project; launched by Mizoram Social Welfare Minister Lalrinpuii; implemented in the state by Mission Foundation Movement (MFM) in collaboration with the state women and child development department.
Objective: Address violence against women and children, promote gender equality, and empower women through skill training.
Key Feature: Apart from focusing on violence against women, the project will also educate children (both boys and girls) about gender equality and provide skill training for women to help them earn livelihoods.

India and Germany sign Joint Declaration of Intent on Telecommunications Cooperation

[Germany, European Union (EU)]

Key Updates:

India and Germany signed a Joint Declaration of Intent (JDI) on Telecommunications Cooperation during German Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s official visit to India.
The JDI was signed by Telecom Secretary Amit Agrawal and German Ambassador to India Philipp Ackermann.
The declaration was concluded between the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and Germany’s Federal Ministry for Digital Transformation and Government Modernisation.
Both sides agreed to promote collaboration in emerging and future technologies, policy and regulatory frameworks, manufacturing, and ease of doing business in telecom and ICT sectors.
The pact establishes a framework for regular consultations, high-level annual meetings, and multi-stakeholder engagement involving government, industry, academia, and research institutions.
India and Germany will jointly develop a work plan outlining specific goals and areas of mutual interest aligned with national priorities.
Both countries will work together in international fora to promote common understanding on telecommunications and digital development.

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India and Germany to unveil defence and security roadmap during Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s first bilateral visit to India (Mid of January) ▼

India and Germany will unveil a defence and security roadmap that will strengthen the defence manufacturing network base in India.
German technology for India’s defence preparedness will be part of the bilateral conversation.
Chancellor Merz is accompanied by a 25-member delegation of CEOs, including top executives of a leading submarine manufacturer, signalling strong defence ties on the agenda.

India and Germany Strengthen Bilateral Economic Cooperation During Chancellor Friedrich Merz's Official Visit on 12-13 January 2026 (Mid of January) ▼

Federal Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany, Friedrich Merz, paid an official visit to India from 12-13 January 2026, marking his first visit to Asia as Chancellor.
The visit follows the completion of 25 years of the India-Germany Strategic Partnership in 2025 and the commemoration of 75 years of diplomatic relations in 2026.
The 7th India-Germany Inter-Governmental Consultations (IGC) were previously held in New Delhi on 25 October 2024.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chancellor Merz addressed the India-Germany CEOs Forum and held delegation-level talks in Ahmedabad on 12 January 2026.
India-Germany bilateral trade in goods and services surpassed USD 50 billion in 2024, accounting for over 25% of India's trade with the European Union (EU).
The Ministry of Finance (FinMin) is in discussions with the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) and the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) regarding cryptocurrency exchange regulations for the Budget 2026-27.
Bloomberg has decided not to include Indian bonds in its Global Aggregate Index for the current period.
The Bharat Coking Coal Initial Public Offering (IPO) was booked 147 times, drawing bids worth ₹1.2 trillion.

India and Germany sign bilateral logistics cooperation agreement (Mid of January) ▼

India and Germany have signed a bilateral agreement to enhance cooperation in postal, express, and logistics services focusing on cross-border e-commerce and time-definite deliveries.
The collaboration aims to boost Indian export volumes, improve service quality, and integrate Indian businesses into global value chains.
During a key ceremony in Ahmedabad on January 12, 2026, attended by Germany's Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz, two important instruments were exchanged, detailing joint international express products and expanding last-mile reach through cooperation between India Post and Deutsche Post–DHL Group.

India and Netherlands sign Letter of Intent to strengthen defence cooperation (Mid of December) ▼

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh met Dutch Foreign Minister David van Weel to discuss security and defence topics.
A Letter of Intent on defence cooperation was signed and exchanged between India's Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh and Netherlands' Ambassador to India Marisa Gerards.
The ministers prioritised co-development and co-production of defence equipment and agreed to craft a Defence Industrial Roadmap.

India and European Union (EU) to hold 16th Summit during 77th Republic Day celebrations from January 25 to 27, 2026

[European Union (EU)]

Key Updates:

European Council President António Luís Santos da Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will be Chief Guests at India’s 77th Republic Day celebrations.
The EU leaders will co-chair the 16th India-EU Summit on January 27, 2026, to advance the India-EU Strategic Partnership.
India and the European Union (EU) have maintained a strategic partnership since 2004.
The 15th India-EU Summit was previously held virtually on July 15, 2020.
An India-EU Business Forum is expected to be organized on the sidelines of the upcoming summit.
The visit follows a historic visit of the EU College of Commissioners to India in February 2025.

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Indian Army Day observed on January 15, 2026: Year of Networking and Data Centricity (Mid of January) ▼

India will observe Indian Army Day on January 15, 2026, marking 78 years since the country took full command of its own Army after Independence.
The theme for 2026, Year of Networking and Data Centricity, focuses on digital transformation within the Indian Army.
On January 15, 1949, Field Marshal Kodandera Madappa Cariappa took over as the first Indian Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army, replacing British General Sir Francis Roy Bucher.
In 2026, the main ceremony will take place in Jaipur, where the Chief of Army Staff will take the salute at a grand parade.
The Indian Army supports Atmanirbhar Bharat through indigenous systems like Tejas aircraft and Akash missiles.
India remains one of the largest contributors to United Nations (UN) peacekeeping missions worldwide.
Previous themes, including the Year of Reforms in 2025, reflect the Army’s push for continuous structural and technological upgrades.
Recruitment initiatives such as Agnipath encourage young Indians to serve the nation.

India to host 28th Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of Commonwealth (CSPOC) in January 2026 (Mid of January) ▼

42 of 56 Commonwealth countries have confirmed participation, marking the highest turnout in CSPOC history.
61 Speakers and Presiding Officers are expected to attend the conference hosted by the Parliament of India.
Pakistan will not participate; Australia, Canada and the United Kingdom are among the confirming nations.
Conference agenda focuses on the future of parliamentary democracy, including use of artificial intelligence and technology-driven legislative processes.
A web-based and mobile application is being developed to facilitate interaction between participating countries and their media.

European Union leaders Von der Leyen and António Costa to be chief guests at India Republic Day 2026 (Start of January) ▼

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President António Costa will be the chief guests at India’s Republic Day celebrations on January 26.
Their visit will coincide with the India–EU Summit, where discussions are expected to centre on the proposed Free Trade Agreement.
India and the European Union resumed negotiations for a comprehensive FTA in June 2022 after a gap of over eight years.

Rashtriya Ekta Diwas (National Unity Day) observed annually on October 31 (Start of November) ▼

Rashtriya Ekta Diwas, also known as National Unity Day, is observed annually on October 31 to commemorate the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and to honor his pivotal role in fostering national and political integration and unity in India.
The day was first celebrated in 2014, following a declaration by the Government of India to honour and celebrate Sardar Patel’s remarkable contribution to nation-building.
The day underscores the importance of maintaining the sovereignty, peace and integrity of the nation, encouraging citizens to pledge their commitment to unity in diversity.
The year 2025 marks Sardar Patel's 150th birth anniversary.
During the Rashtriya Ekta Divas held on 31st October, 2015 Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi announced the initiative ‘Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat’ for sustained and structured connect between people of different regions of the country for an enhanced understanding and bonding between them.

Uppsala University (UU) researchers reconstruct woolly rhinoceros genome from tissue found in mummified wolf pup

[Uppsala University]

Key Updates:

Researchers found a chunk of meat from a woolly rhinoceros — a creature similar in size to modern white rhinoceros, but with a shaggy coat of hair — preserved inside the stomach of one of the pups.
DNA from that flesh and fur survived beneath the Siberian ice for more than 14,000 years, enabling scientists to sequence the entire genome.
The woolly rhinoceros in question died some 14,400 years ago, just a few hundred years before the species disappeared from the fossil record.
Chacón-Duque and his colleagues at Uppsala University (UU) found no evidence of inbreeding or harmful mutations that would have doomed the population — it seemed to be healthy.
The study authors think the newly sequenced DNA provides evidence that climate change was the driving factor behind the extinction of the woolly rhinoceros.
The puppies, both females, were likely littermates: They were found within about 6 feet of each another and shared some DNA characteristics.
They died at a fairly young age — at about nine weeks, according to researchers at the University of York (UY).

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Scientists extract ancient RNA from 39,000-year-old woolly mammoth 'Yuka' (Mid of November) ▼

Researchers led by Stockholm University paleogeneticist Love Dalén extracted RNA from the permafrost-preserved woolly mammoth named Yuka found in eastern Siberia.
The recovered RNA fragments, though short, were computationally verified as authentic woolly mammoth sequences, offering the first snapshot of gene activity in an extinct animal.
RNA from Yuka’s muscle tissue matched genes for slow-twitch muscle function and development, confirming the tissue type and showing cellular processes frozen at death.
Additional RNA indicated stress-related gene activity in the mammoth’s muscles, consistent with—though not exclusively proving—an attack by cave lions or another stressful event.
Genetic analysis of Yuka’s DNA revealed one X and one Y chromosome, contradicting the initial visual inspection that had classified the mammoth as female.

Guwahati Municipal Corporation launches 'Sahajeevan' project for stray-dog vaccination and human-animal coexistence (Start of November) ▼

Initiative Name: 'Sahajeevan' project launched by Guwahati Municipal Corporation (GMC).
Objective: Relocate stray dogs from educational institutions, hospitals and public places to designated shelters after vaccination; promote human-animal coexistence.
Key Features: Step-wise vaccination drives, sterilisation campaigns and feeding arrangements; awareness campaigns in every ward to encourage compassionate behaviour toward animals.

Anant Ambani receives Global Humanitarian Award for Animal Welfare (Start of December) ▼

Anant Ambani became the youngest and first Asian recipient of the Global Humanitarian Award for Animal Welfare presented by the Global Humane Society.
The award ceremony took place in Washington, DC, and recognized his leadership in creating Vantara, a large-scale conservation initiative.
Vantara received the Global Humane Certified distinction after an exhaustive audit evaluating animal nutrition, environmental quality, behavioural enrichment, medical protocols, staffing expertise, and species-specific needs.
Vantara combines ex situ care with in situ conservation support, including protecting endangered species, restoring fragmented populations, conducting genetic research, and collaborating with global institutions.
The initiative aims to create pathways for reintroducing endangered or extinct species back into suitable habitats and is positioned to deepen international collaborations and expand species survival and ecosystem restoration work.

Project Cheetah Reintroduces Extinct Big Cat, Population Reaches 32 with 21 India-Born Cubs (Start of December) ▼

India launched Project Cheetah in 2022 to reintroduce cheetahs, the only large carnivore extinct in independent India since 1952, primarily through translocation from Africa.
As of December 2025, the country now supports a thriving population of 32 cheetahs, including 21 India-born cubs.
An India-born female Mukhi gave birth to five healthy cubs in November 2025.

Tropical Storm Nokaen (Ada) Increases Lahar Risk Near Mayon Volcano

Key Updates:

The state weather bureau, PAGASA, reported that tropical storm Nokaen is packing maximum sustained winds of 65 kilometers per hour near the center, with gusts of up to 80 kilometers per hour.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) warned that intense rainfall may generate syn-eruption lahars on major channels draining the southern to eastern slopes of Mayon Volcano.
Phivolcs cautioned that older, erodible eruption deposits on the southwestern slopes of Mayon could be remobilized as non-eruption lahars.
The storm is projected to bring heavy to intense rainfall of 100 to 200 millimeters to areas surrounding the volcano in Albay province.
Phivolcs warned that hot lahars could cause scalding upon contact, potentially leading to severe and life-threatening injuries.

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Indonesia Raises Alert for Mount Bur Ni Telong Amid Increased Volcanic Activity (Start of January) ▼

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.

USGS reports new Kilauea lava fountains up to 100 ft, all activity confined within Halema‘uma‘u crater (Start of December) ▼

Fresh lava fountains erupted from Hawaii’s Kilauea volcano on Saturday, US vulcanologists said.
Sustained lava fountains approximately 50–100 feet (15–30 meters) in height are currently erupting from the north vent.
All the eruptive activity is confined to Halema‘uma‘u crater within the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.
Authorities are monitoring elevated volcanic gas levels and the potential spread of “Pele’s hair,” strands of volcanic glass often produced by lava fountaining activity.
Hot, glassy volcanic fragments can fall on the ground within 1–2 miles (1–3 kilometers) of the eruptive vents.

Christian Aid pegs 2025 climate-disaster bill above USD 122 billion (End of December) ▼

Heatwaves, wildfires, droughts, and storms cost the world more than USD 120 billion in 2025.
The single costliest event, California wildfires, caused USD 60 billion in damage and over 400 deaths.
November cyclones and floods across Southeast Asia inflicted USD 25 billion in damage and killed more than 1,750 people.
China’s floods led to USD 11.7 billion in damage, displaced thousands and killed at least 30.
Asia accounted for four of the top six costliest disasters, including flooding in India and Pakistan that killed over 1,860 people and cost up to USD 6 billion.
Typhoons in the Philippines caused more than USD 5 billion in damage and displaced over 1.4 million people.
Flooding in Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of Congo affected thousands, with potentially up to 700 deaths in Nigeria alone.
Drought in Brazil, summer wildfires in Spain and Portugal, and February cyclones in Australia and Réunion island all inflicted major losses.
Record-breaking sea temperatures and coral bleaching in Western Australia were recorded alongside worrying extremes in Antarctica.
Christian Aid stresses that continued fossil-fuel expansion and political delay are driving these predictable disasters.

Philippines hit by 'intense' typhoon as nearly a million evacuate (Mid of November) ▼

Typhoon Fung-wong made landfall in the Philippines with sustained winds of around 185 km/h and gusts of 230 km/h.
More than 900,000 people have been evacuated.
Two people have died: one person drowned and a woman was found trapped under debris in Catbalogan City.
The eye of the storm hit Aurora province in Luzon.
The storm weakened to a typhoon and was over La Union in western Luzon by 02:00.
The country's meteorological service warned of destructive winds and 'high-risk of life-threatening' storm surges.
Almost 300 flights have been cancelled and several airports closed.
More than 200mm of rain is forecast for parts of Luzon, with 100–200mm expected in Metro Manila.
Typhoon Fung-wong comes days after Typhoon Kalmaegi, which left nearly 200 people dead and over 100 still missing.
The Filipino government declared a state of calamity across the country after Typhoon Kalmaegi and in preparation for the coming storm.

Vijender Singh appointed to Asian Boxing Council

[Asian Boxing Council]

Key Updates:

Vijender Singh has been appointed as a member of the Asian Boxing Council.
He thanked the Boxing Federation of India for entrusting him with this responsibility.
Vijender remains one of India’s most recognisable sporting figures, having won a historic bronze medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

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Pawan Kalyan awarded ‘Tiger of Martial Arts’ title and inducted into Kenjutsu Samurai tradition (Mid of January) ▼

Pawan Kalyan was formally inducted into Kenjutsu, the ancient Japanese art of swordsmanship, becoming one of the very few Indians to enter the Samurai martial arts tradition outside Japan.
He received the Fifth Dan by the Sogo Budo Kanri Kai, making him the first Indian celebrity to receive this honour.
He was inducted into the Takeda Shingen Clan under Soke Muramatsu Sensei, becoming the first Telugu-speaking person and one of the very few non-Japanese to enter this Samurai lineage.
The Golden Dragons organisation conferred on him the title ‘Tiger of Martial Arts’.

PV Sindhu elected chair of BWF Athletes’ Commission to serve as BWF Council Member (End of December) ▼

PV Sindhu was elected chair of the BWF Athletes’ Commission for the 2026-29 term.
She will also serve as a BWF Council Member, giving players a voice in governance.
Chan Ho Yuen Daniel of Hong Kong China elected to similar role in Para Badminton wing.

Jammu to host first International Dangal for Rustam-e-Jammu Kashmir title (Mid of December) ▼

The Jammu and Kashmir Sports Council in collaboration with the J&K Indian Style Wrestling Association is organising the first International Dangal at Maulana Azad Stadium, Jammu.
The Rustam-e-Jammu Kashmir title bout will be open to wrestlers above 85 kg; the winner receives ₹50,000 along with the traditional Gurj and Patta.
Over 100 wrestlers from India and abroad, including Iran, will compete in open-category matches.

Giovanna de Sequeira wins bronze at World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship in Abu Dhabi (End of November) ▼

Giovanna de Sequeira earned international acclaim, winning bronze medal at the World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship in Abu Dhabi, competing in the below 28kg Infant/Girls Gi category.
The ten-year-old demonstrated remarkable determination, technical skill, and composure on the global stage to finish among the top three.
Giovanna’s achievement is even more significant considering her recent recovery from a knee surgery just five months ago.

NAMO Book Fest First Edition Held in New Delhi

Key Updates:

India’s first NAMO Book Fest is being held in Delhi.
Minister of State for Science and Technology, Dr. Jitendra Singh, released two books titled ‘Gen V Bano’ and ‘Mahatma’ at the fest.
The fest features a curated exhibition of books on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and brings together authors, thinkers, and youth.

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History That India Ignored Book Launch Highlights Neglected Freedom Struggle Narratives (Start of January) ▼

Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant launched the new edition of 'History That India Ignored' authored by ANI Chairman Prem Prakash.
The book documents overlooked aspects of India's freedom struggle, including the life of Veer Savarkar and the Goa liberation movement.
Sawant described the publication as an act of national service and emphasized its importance for educating the younger generation.

Book 'History That India Ignored' by Prem Prakash launched in Goa (Start of January) ▼

The book 'History That India Ignored' was formally launched by Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant.
The launch was organised by the Prabha Khaitan Foundation under its literary initiative 'Kitaab'.
The event was hosted at Taj Cidade de Goa Heritage with support from Ehsaas Woman of Goa.
Prem Prakash emphasised the importance of acknowledging overlooked historical voices and unsung heroes.

Delhi World Book Fair 2024: Free Entry, Indian Military History Theme (Start of January) ▼

The 53rd Delhi World Book Fair is being organised by National Book Trust (NBT) and co-organised by India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO).
The fair is being inaugurated by Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
Entry to the event is free for the first time in history.
The theme pavilion is titled 'Indian Military History: Valour & Wisdom @75'.
Spain is the focus country and Qatar the guest of honour.
Qatar’s ambassador is His Excellency Mohammed Hassan Jabir Al Jaber.

Economic Empowerment of Bharat in the Modi Era highlights GST, Digital India, and Direct Benefit Transfer reforms (End of December) ▼

GST transformed India into a unified national market by simplifying the tax structure, enhancing compliance and strengthening cooperative federalism.
Digital India, Make in India, Startup India and the rapid expansion of UPI have empowered citizens, entrepreneurs and small businesses.
Over ₹47 lakh crore has been directly transferred into beneficiaries’ bank accounts through the JAM trinity (Jan Dhan–Aadhaar–Mobile).

Nobel Peace Prize 2025 Rules Clarified on January 16, 2026

[United States]

Key Updates:

Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado presented her Nobel Peace Prize to US President Donald Trump during their meeting at the White House on Thursday.
Machado had won the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize for her work promoting democratic rights and a peaceful transition in Venezuela.
According to the rules laid down by the Norwegian Nobel Committee, once a prize is announced, it cannot be revoked, shared, or transferred to others.
According to the Statutes of the Nobel Foundation, § 10, 'No appeals may be made against the decision of a prize-awarding body with regard to the award of a prize.'
The Nobel Peace Prize medal measures 6.6 cm in diameter, weighs 196 grams and is struck in gold.
The POTUS said one should get a Nobel Prize for 'every war you stopped.'

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María Corina Machado indicates she would like to give or share Nobel Peace Prize with Donald Trump (Mid of January) ▼

The organization that oversees the Nobel Peace Prize is throwing cold water on talk of Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado giving her recent award to President Trump.
Once the Nobel Peace Prize is announced, it can't be revoked, transferred or shared with others, the Norwegian Nobel Institute said in a short statement on Friday.
Machado dedicated the prize to Mr. Trump, along with the people of Venezuela, shortly after it was announced.

Department of Homeland Security (DHS) launches Trump Gold Card visa with $1 million post-approval fee (Mid of December) ▼

Applicants pay a non-refundable $15,000 processing fee to DHS before vetting begins.
The $1 million residency fee is payable only after DHS approval.
Corporate sponsors pay $2 million per employee plus a 1% annual maintenance fee of $20,000.
A 5% transfer fee of $100,000 applies when a company reassigns the visa to another employee.

National Awards Policy: Prohibition of 'Padma Shri' and 'Bharat Ratna' as Titles (End of December) ▼

The Bombay High Court ruled that civilian awards such as 'Padma Shri' and 'Bharat Ratna' are not titles and cannot be used as a prefix or suffix to the names of awardees.
The ruling follows a Supreme Court (SC) decision in Balaji Raghavan/SP Anand v. Union of India, which clarified that these awards do not fall under 'titles' as per Article 18(1) of the Constitution of India.
If an awardee uses these honors as a prefix or suffix, the defaulter should forfeit the National Award following the procedure laid down in Regulation 10 of the award notifications.
The court directed that all judicial proceedings must ensure compliance with this law as mandated by Article 141 of the Constitution of India.

Israel to award Israel Prize for Peace to United States President Donald Trump after Florida talks (End of December) ▼

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that US President Donald Trump will receive the Israel Prize for Peace, the country's highest civilian honour.
This marks the first time in 80 years the prize is awarded to a non-Israeli citizen and the first occasion the Peace category has been used.
The Israeli government amended the prize rules in July 2025 to allow foreign citizens to be eligible for the award.
Trump and Netanyahu discussed the second phase of the Gaza peace plan, including Hamas disarmament and issues related to the occupied West Bank.
Trump stated he is 'not concerned about anything that Israel is doing' and praised Israel for living up to the plan '100%'.
Netanyahu described the meeting as 'very, very productive' and emphasized strong cooperation between the two leaders.

Spituk Gustor Festival begins in Ladakh

Key Updates:

Spituk Gustor is the first monastic festival of Ladakh of the year.
It is a two-day-long annual monastic festival of Spituk Monastery.
The festival is observed after a week-long period of prayers and rituals in honour of God and Goddess for world peace, prosperity and triumph over evil.
It is marked as the end of the first phase of the coldest and harsh climatic weather of Ladakh.
Ladakh is popularly known as the land of Gonpa or Buddhist Monasteries.
Spituk Gustor is the first among the 16 monastic festivals observed in Ladakh.

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Boda Tyohar festival of Hati tribe commenced on January 9 (Mid of January) ▼

Boda Tyohar, the biggest annual festival of the Hati tribe, commenced on the eve of Posh Dwadashi which was on January 9 this year.
The festival is also called Magho ko Tyohar and is celebrated by over three lakh community members living in 154 panchayats of Trans-Giri area of Sirmaur district, Himachal Pradesh.
The Government of India declared the Hati community as Scheduled Tribe after a constitutional amendment on August 4, 2023.

Pongal 2026 observed on January 14, 2026 (Mid of January) ▼

Pongal is a four-day Hindu harvest festival dedicated to the Sun God that marks the beginning of Uttarayan, the sun’s journey northward.
Thai Pongal and Makar Sankranti both fall on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, with the Sankranti Moment occurring at 03:13 PM.
The festival includes four specific days: Bhogi Pandigai (Jan 13), Thai Pongal (Jan 14), Mattu Pongal (Jan 15), and Kaanum Pongal (Jan 16).
The traditional sweet dish Pongal dates back to the Chola dynasty, with recipes appearing in temple inscriptions from the Chola and Vijayanagara Empire periods.
The AIFF announced that the 2025-26 Indian Super League (ISL) season will be recognized by the AFC.
Nasa's crewed lunar mission, Artemis II, is scheduled for a February 6 liftoff.

Thousands witness Makaravilakku at Sabarimala Temple in Kerala (Mid of January) ▼

Thousands of devotees waited for hours to catch a glimpse of the Makarajyoti and witness the Makaravilakku deeparadhana performed atop the Ponnambalamedu hillock.
The 26-member team carrying the sacred ornaments from the Pandalam Palace formally handed over the jewellery casket to Tantri Mahesh Mohanaru and Melsanthi E.D. Prasad.
The temple recorded total collections of ₹429 crore during the Mandala–Makaravilakku season, with revenue from appam and aravana sales alone amounting to ₹190 crore.

Indian Lighthouse Festival promotes coastal tourism and women-led enterprise (Mid of January) ▼

The 3rd Indian Lighthouse Festival was inaugurated at MGM Park, Visakhapatnam, by former Vice-President Venkaiah Naidu and Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal.
The Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways (MoPSW) is developing 75 lighthouses across 10 states and Union Territories with modern tourist facilities under Maritime India Vision 2030 and Amrit Kaal Vision 2047.
Andhra Pradesh has already opened 10 of its 17 lighthouses for tourism, generating livelihoods through SHG-run stalls.