National News

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Completes Three-Day Official Visit to Gujarat with Multiple Major Inaugurations

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi undertook an extensive three-day official visit to Gujarat from January 10-12, 2026, participating in significant cultural, developmental, and diplomatic events across multiple cities including Somnath, Rajkot, Gandhinagar, and Ahmedabad, marking a comprehensive engagement with the state’s infrastructure and cultural heritage.
• On January 10, 2026, PM Modi participated in the Somnath Swabhiman Parv celebrations at the historic Somnath Temple in Prabhas Patan, Veraval, commemorating 1,000 years since the first recorded attack by Mahmud of Ghazni in 1026 CE and the 75th anniversary of the temple’s post-independence reconstruction, where he engaged in devotional Omkar mantra chanting during the four-day celebration held from January 8-11, 2026.
• The Prime Minister inaugurated the Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference for Kutch and Saurashtra Region on January 11, 2026, at Marwadi University in Rajkot, a two-day event aimed at accelerating investment opportunities, fostering industrial growth, and promoting regional development across western Gujarat, and also flagged off the final stretch of Phase 2 of the Ahmedabad-Gandhinagar Metro Rail Project from Mahatma Mandir Metro Station in Gandhinagar.
• On January 12, 2026, PM Modi inaugurated the International Kite Festival 2026 at the Sabarmati Riverfront in Ahmedabad as part of the official Uttarayan celebrations, with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz attending as the Chief Guest, demonstrating the event’s international significance and India’s cultural diplomacy efforts.

National News

Government of India Implements National Sports Governance Rules 2026 to Revolutionize Sports Administration

• The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports officially notified the National Sports Governance (National Sports Bodies) Rules 2026 on January 12, 2026, under the National Sports Governance Act 2025, establishing a comprehensive legal framework designed to fundamentally overhaul sports governance across India with mandatory guidelines for National Sports Bodies and Regional Sports Federations.
• The new rules mandate significant athlete representation in sports administration, requiring at least four Sportspersons of Outstanding Merit (SOMs) in the General Body of National Sports Bodies, with a mandatory minimum of 50% women representation among these SOMs and at least four women in the Executive Committee, ensuring gender equity and athlete voice in decision-making processes.
• Eligible SOMs must meet specific criteria including a minimum age of 25 years, retirement from active competitive sports, and a gap of at least one year from selection-level events before applying, ensuring mature and experienced athlete representation in governance structures.
• The rules establish a comprehensive ten-tier system for categorizing sporting achievements, ranging from Olympic and Paralympic medalists at the highest level down to medalists at National Games and National Championships, designed to recognize excellence across all types of sports disciplines and ensure inclusive representation from diverse sporting backgrounds, while maintaining alignment with Olympic Charter standards for ethical governance and transparent elections.

National News

India’s Fisheries Sector Achieves Historic Doubling of Production to 197.75 Lakh Tonnes in Decade

• The Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying reported in January 2026 that India’s total fish production has more than doubled over the past decade, registering a remarkable 106% growth from 95.79 lakh tonnes in Financial Year 2013-14 to 197.75 lakh tonnes in FY 2024-25, marking unprecedented expansion in the country’s fisheries sector and solidifying India’s position as the world’s second-largest fish producer contributing 8% to global output.
• India has achieved leadership positions across multiple fisheries segments, ranking second globally in aquaculture production, leading worldwide in shrimp production and exports, and securing the second position in capture fisheries, while average aquaculture productivity has risen to 4.77 tonnes per hectare, demonstrating significant improvements in farming efficiency and technological adoption.
• Seafood exports reached an all-time high of Rs. 62,408 crore (USD 7,453.73 million) in FY 2024-25, representing a 3.11% increase from the previous year’s Rs. 60,523.89 crore, with 16.98 lakh tonnes of seafood exported internationally, while value-added seafood exports surged 56% over five years from Rs. 4,863.40 crore to Rs. 7,589.93 crore, now contributing nearly 11% to the total export basket.
• The fisheries sector now contributes 7.43% to Agriculture Gross Value Added since 2014-15, one of the highest contributions among agricultural and allied sectors, while generating 74.66 lakh direct and indirect employment opportunities, with total investments under schemes including PMMSY, PMMKSSY, FIDF, and Blue Revolution reaching Rs. 38,572 crore, with projects worth Rs. 32,723 crore approved since 2014-15.

State News

IndiaAI Mission Partners with UPDESCO to Create India’s Largest State-Level AI Training Ecosystem in Uttar Pradesh

• The IndiaAI Mission, operating under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding with Uttar Pradesh Development Systems Corporation Limited on January 12, 2026, to establish one of India’s most extensive state-level Artificial Intelligence skilling ecosystems, with the agreement exchanged between Anurag Yadav, Principal Secretary of IT & Electronics Department, Government of UP, and Abhishek Singh, CEO of IndiaAI Mission.
• The comprehensive initiative plans to establish 65 Data and AI Labs across Uttar Pradesh, equipped with modern computing infrastructure to provide hands-on AI training using advanced tools, datasets, and real-time problem statements, enabling students to gain practical experience in artificial intelligence technologies and applications.
• Currently, two labs at NIELIT Lucknow and Gorakhpur are fully operational, one industry-led lab functions in Pilibhit, 49 labs have been approved and are under active implementation, and 13 additional labs will be identified to complete the network, ensuring comprehensive geographic coverage across Uttar Pradesh.
• The labs will focus on practical AI training delivery, equipping students with contemporary AI tools and real-world problem-solving capabilities, positioning Uttar Pradesh as a leading state in AI education and skill development while contributing to India’s broader ambitions in artificial intelligence and technological innovation.

National News

CBIC Launches ICEGATE-LPMS Digital Integration at Agartala to Streamline India-Bangladesh Border Trade

• Surjit Bhujabal, Special Secretary and Member (Customs) of the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs under the Ministry of Finance, inaugurated the integration of Indian Customs Electronic Gateway with the Land Port Management System on January 12, 2026, at the Integrated Check Post in Agartala, Tripura, establishing a digital bridge for real-time customs data exchange.
• The integration connects ICEGATE with LPMS to enable seamless, real-time, bidirectional data flow between customs electronic systems and land port operations, covering major customs documents and events including Bill of Entry, Shipping Bill, Out of Charge, Let Export Order, and comprehensive cargo movement updates such as slot booking, gate-in and gate-out processes.
• This technological advancement enables coordinated, data-driven border management that significantly reduces transaction costs, improves regulatory compliance, and allows targeted inspection processes with minimal disruption to legitimate cross-border trade activities, enhancing efficiency at one of India’s crucial land border checkpoints with Bangladesh.
• The inauguration reflects collaborative efforts between CBIC and the Land Ports Authority of India to modernize India’s trade infrastructure, making it future-ready and digitally streamlined while strengthening border security and facilitating smoother international trade operations through technological integration.

National News

Coromandel International Establishes Corporate Research Centre at IIT Madras for Agricultural Innovation

• Coromandel International Limited, a leading agri-solutions provider, signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding with the Indian Institute of Technology Madras in January 2026 to establish a dedicated Corporate Research Centre at the IIT Madras Research Park in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, with the agreement exchanged between Narayanan Vellayan, Whole-time Director – Strategic Sourcing at Coromandel, and Prof. V. Kamakoti, Director of IIT Madras.
• The Corporate Research Centre will function as a comprehensive hub for joint research programmes, technology incubation, talent development, and international collaboration, focusing specifically on translational research in agriculture, sustainability, crop nutrition, and advanced agri-input technologies.
• The initiative is strategically designed to bridge the gap between laboratory-level research and commercial application, converting academic research into scalable and commercially viable solutions that deliver tangible benefits directly to farmers while strengthening India’s agricultural sector capabilities.
• This partnership represents a significant collaboration between industry and academia, combining Coromandel’s extensive agricultural expertise with IIT Madras’s research capabilities to drive innovation in farming technologies, sustainable agriculture practices, and next-generation agri-input solutions.

Sports News

Indian Olympic Association Launches National Olympic Education Programme and Reactivates National Olympic Academy

• The Indian Olympic Association officially launched the National Olympic Education and Development Programme and reactivated the National Olympic Academy on January 12, 2026, following approval by the IOA Executive Council on January 8, 2026, and unanimous support from the IOA General House at its Annual General Meeting in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, on January 9, 2026.
• The comprehensive NOEDP is designed to strengthen India’s Olympic ecosystem from grassroots to elite levels, focusing on Olympic values, education and ethics, holistic athlete development, capacity building, governance strengthening, leadership and professionalism enhancement, and long-term athlete development models, to be implemented in partnership with National Sports Federations and State Olympic Associations.
• PT Usha, President of the Indian Olympic Association, has been appointed as President of the reactivated National Olympic Academy, while Olympic medalist and IOA Vice President Gagan Narang has been designated as Director of the NOA, bringing elite athletic experience to the academy’s leadership.
• The National Olympic Academy will collaborate directly with the International Olympic Academy in Olympia, Greece, to ensure education programmes align with the Olympic Charter and international standards, establishing India’s Olympic education framework within the global Olympic movement context.

National News

Government Revokes Quality Control Order for Flux Cored Solder Wire to Reduce Manufacturing Costs

• The Government of India officially revoked the Quality Control Order on Flux Cored Solder Wire on January 12, 2026, exercising authority under Section 16 of the BIS Act 2016, eliminating the mandatory Bureau of Indian Standards certification requirement for this key material used extensively in electronics, automotive, electrical equipment, and general manufacturing industries.
• The withdrawal of this regulatory requirement removes the compulsory BIS certification mandate that had been established under the Flux Cored Solder Wire (Quality Control) Order 2023, which previously required all flux cored solder wire sold, imported, or stocked in India to conform to Indian Standard IS 1921:2005 and bear a BIS mark before legal marketing.
• This deregulation is expected to significantly reduce compliance costs and eliminate procedural delays for both domestic manufacturers and international importers, potentially lowering production costs and improving the competitiveness of Indian electronics and automotive manufacturing sectors.
• The move represents a shift in the government’s regulatory approach, balancing quality assurance objectives with ease of doing business considerations, particularly benefiting small and medium enterprises that face disproportionate compliance burdens under mandatory certification regimes.

Banking and Finance News

Tripura Gramin Bank Launches India’s First Solar-Powered Mobile ATM Van ‘TGB on Wheels’

• Tripura Gramin Bank achieved a national milestone in January 2026 by becoming the first Regional Rural Bank in India to introduce a fully solar-powered mobile ATM van named ‘TGB on Wheels’, marking a significant advancement toward sustainable and inclusive banking services in rural areas with limited electricity infrastructure.
• The pioneering ATM van initiative was originally inaugurated by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman during her visit to Tripura in July 2023, with the project developed with support from the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development, demonstrating collaborative efforts between regional banks and national development institutions.
• TGB on Wheels provides eco-friendly, uninterrupted mobile ATM and banking services powered entirely by solar energy, enabling operations even in remote areas with unreliable or absent electricity supply, addressing critical financial inclusion challenges in rural and underserved regions of Tripura.
• Currently, Tripura Gramin Bank operates three solar-powered ATM vans across Tripura, and the innovative initiative earned the bank the prestigious SKOCH Silver Award, one of India’s most respected recognitions for excellence in governance, innovation, and inclusive development.

Banking and Finance News

Innoviti Receives RBI Authorization for Comprehensive Online and Offline Payment Aggregation Services

• Innoviti Technologies Private Limited, a payments-centric retail Software-as-a-Service platform, received a Certificate of Authorization from the Reserve Bank of India on January 13, 2026, to operate as a Payment Aggregator under the Payments and Settlement Systems Act 2007, enabling the company to manage both online and physical in-store payment transactions across India.
• This expanded authorization builds upon Innoviti’s initial RBI approval in March 2024 for online payment aggregation, with the newly enhanced license now encompassing offline in-store payments, significantly broadening the company’s operational scope and service offerings.
• The RBI authorization enables Innoviti to facilitate seamless and compliant payment processing across both digital and offline channels, benefiting large enterprises as well as Small and Medium-sized Enterprises by providing integrated payment solutions that span multiple transaction environments.
• Innoviti currently operates India’s largest offline payments platform under the Innoviti UniPay brand, serving leading enterprise clients across the country, and the expanded authorization positions the company to strengthen its market leadership in hybrid payment solutions that bridge online and offline commerce.

Banking and Finance News

India’s Retail Inflation Rises to Three-Month High of 1.33% in December 2025, Remains Below RBI Target

• The National Statistics Office under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation released Consumer Price Index data for December 2025 in January 2026, revealing that India’s retail inflation based on CPI climbed to a three-month high of 1.33% in December 2025, rising from 0.71% in November 2025, while remaining below the Reserve Bank of India’s lower tolerance threshold of 2% for the fourth consecutive month.
• Food inflation, measured by the All India Consumer Food Price Index, registered negative growth for the seventh consecutive month, declining by 120 basis points from -3.91% in November 2025 to -2.71% in December 2025, with rural areas experiencing -3.08% deflation and urban areas at -2.09%, indicating sustained price corrections in food commodities.
• Core inflation, which excludes volatile items like food and energy, surged to a 27-month high of 4.45% in December 2025 compared to 4.23% in November 2025, indicating underlying inflationary pressures in non-food, non-energy sectors despite overall retail inflation remaining subdued.
• Among major states, Kerala registered the highest year-over-year inflation rate at 9.49%, followed by Karnataka at 2.99%, Andhra Pradesh at 2.71%, Tamil Nadu at 2.67%, and Jammu & Kashmir at 2.26%, revealing significant regional variations in price pressures across India’s diverse economic landscape.

Sports News

Indian Mountaineer Aritra Roy Conquers Mount Aconcagua, Completes Fourth Peak in Seven Summits Challenge

• Indian mountaineer Aritra Roy successfully summited Mount Aconcagua in Argentina, South America, in January 2026, reaching the highest peak outside Asia at 6,967.15 meters above mean sea level, marking the fourth milestone in his ongoing Seven Summits challenge to climb the highest peak on each continent.
• Roy completed the summit after a grueling 10.5-hour final push in extreme conditions including minus 40 degrees Celsius temperatures, snowstorms, and blizzards, covering a 44-kilometer climb through multiple camps at Confluencia (3,340 meters), Plaza de Mulas (4,350 meters), and three high camps at 5,050 meters, 5,650 meters, and 6,000 meters, spending 45 minutes at the peak.
• The solo expedition was fully sponsored by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, a Navratna Central Public Sector Enterprise under the Ministry of Defence, demonstrating corporate support for Indian mountaineering achievements and adventure sports excellence.
• Roy has previously summited Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa, Mount Elbrus in Europe, and Mount Everest in Asia with a solo ascent on May 19, 2025, leaving three more peaks to complete the Seven Summits challenge: Denali in North America, Mount Vinson in Antarctica, and Mount Kosciuszko in Australia.

Appointments and Resignations News

Meta Platforms Appoints Dina Powell McCormick as President and Vice Chairman in Leadership Restructuring

• Mark Zuckerberg, Founder and CEO of Meta Platforms Inc., the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, Messenger, and Threads, announced on January 12, 2026, the appointment of Dina Powell McCormick as the company’s new President and Vice Chairman as part of a strategic leadership restructuring aimed at accelerating the company’s Artificial Intelligence strategy.
• Dina Powell McCormick brings over 25 years of distinguished experience in global finance, national security, and economic development, having spent 16 years at Goldman Sachs as a partner, management committee member, and head of Global Sovereign Investment Banking, providing extensive expertise in international business operations.
• She served in prominent public service roles including Deputy National Security Advisor under President Donald Trump and senior positions in both the White House and State Department under President George W. Bush, bringing unique perspectives on technology policy, national security, and international relations to Meta’s leadership.
• Powell McCormick has held board positions at major corporations including Meta and Exxon Mobil, and most recently served as Vice Chair, President, and Head of Global Client Services at BDT & MSD Partners, combining corporate governance experience with strategic advisory capabilities essential for Meta’s global expansion and AI development initiatives.

Science and Technology News

ISRO’s PSLV-C62 Mission Encounters Critical Anomaly During Third Stage Flight

• The Indian Space Research Organisation announced on January 12, 2026, that its Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle PSLV-C62 mission experienced a critical anomaly during the end of the third stage (PS3) of flight, marking the second consecutive PSLV setback following the PSLV-C61 mission in May 2025 and raising concerns about the reliability of India’s workhorse launch vehicle.
• The 44.4-meter-tall, four-stage PSLV-C62 carried the primary payload Earth Observation Satellite-National-1 (EOS-N1), known as Anvesha, developed by DRDO for advanced surveillance and strategic monitoring, along with 15 co-passenger satellites from various national and international partners and startups, lifting off from the First Launch Pad at Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh.
• The mission marked the 64th flight of PSLV and the fifth mission of the PSLV-Developmental variant, operated by NewSpace India Limited as the ninth dedicated commercial launch, originally expected to deploy payloads into Sun Synchronous Orbit at an altitude of approximately 511 kilometers before the anomaly occurred.
• Secondary payloads included AayuISAT, India’s first on-orbit satellite refueling demonstrator developed by OrbitAID Aerospace; European Technology Demonstrator Kestrel Initial Technology Demonstrator (KID); four satellites from Dhruva Space; Nepal’s Munal Technology Demonstration Satellite; and multiple Brazilian payloads including EDUSAT, UAISAT, Galaxy Explorer, Orbital Temple, and Aldebaran-1, along with India’s SanskarSat Technology Satellite for applications in AI processing, IoT services, radiation measurement, and agricultural data collection.

Sports News

Australian Cricket Captain Alyssa Healy Announces Retirement After Legendary Eight World Cup Titles

• Alyssa Healy, Captain of the Australia Women’s Cricket Team, announced her retirement from all formats of cricket in January 2026, effective following the upcoming multi-format series against India scheduled for February-March 2026 in Australia, concluding a 15-year international career featuring unprecedented success and record-breaking achievements.
• Healy retires as the most successful wicketkeeper in women’s international cricket history with 269 dismissals across all three formats, including 24 dismissals in 10 Test matches, 119 in 123 ODIs, and 126 in 162 T20 Internationals, establishing a benchmark unlikely to be surpassed for years.
• She scored 7,106 runs across approximately 300 international matches at an average of 30, ranking as Australia’s third-highest run-scorer behind Meg Lanning (8,352 runs) and Ellyse Perry (7,607 runs), with her career statistics including 489 Test runs with a highest score of 99, 3,563 ODI runs with seven centuries including a highest score of 170, and 3,054 T20I runs with a highest score of 148 not out.
• Healy’s career is highlighted by winning eight World Cup titles, including six Women’s T-20 World Cups (2010, 2012, 2014, 2018, 2020, and 2023) and two ODI World Cup titles (2013 and 2022), establishing her as one of the most decorated players in cricket history and a cornerstone of Australian cricket’s sustained dominance in women’s international cricket.

Obituary News

Veteran Kerala Congress Leader and Former Rajya Sabha MP Thomas Kuthiravattam Dies at 80

• Thomas Kuthiravattam, veteran Kerala Congress (M) leader and former Member of Parliament, passed away in January 2026 at the age of 80 in Alappuzha, Kerala, concluding a distinguished political career spanning several decades with significant contributions to Kerala’s political landscape and national parliamentary affairs.
• Born on June 1, 1945, in Kallissery, Chengannur, Kerala, Kuthiravattam held key positions within the Kerala Congress including State General Secretary and Vice Chairman, establishing himself as a senior political leader primarily associated with the Kerala Congress (M) with long-standing active involvement in both state and national politics.
• He served as a Member of Parliament in the Rajya Sabha (Upper House of Parliament) representing Kerala from 1985 to 1991, during which he was a member of several parliamentary committees including the Joint Parliamentary Committee that investigated the controversial Bofors deal.
• After retiring from active politics, Kuthiravattam dedicated 25 years to charitable work as a member of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church Managing Committee, demonstrating continued commitment to community service beyond his political career.

State News

Madhya Pradesh Launches ‘Swachh Jal Abhiyan’ for Technology-Driven Clean Water Monitoring

• Chief Minister Mohan Yadav launched the ‘Swachh Jal Abhiyan’ in January 2026, a comprehensive state-wide, technology-driven clean water campaign designed to monitor and secure drinking water supply across Madhya Pradesh through digital mapping, quality testing, and citizen grievance redressal mechanisms with zero tolerance for water contamination.
• The campaign will be conducted in two distinct phases: Phase I running from January 10 to February 28, 2026, and Phase II from March 1 to May 31, 2026, implementing systematic monitoring and improvement measures across the state’s water supply infrastructure.
• Key initiatives include digitally mapping and monitoring water and sewer pipelines using Geographic Information System technology and robotic inspections, ensuring safe and sustainable water through comprehensive quality testing, public awareness campaigns, timely maintenance, and effective grievance management systems.
• Citizens can register and track drinking water complaints through weekly ‘Jal Sunwai’ public hearings conducted every Tuesday and via the dedicated CM Helpline (181), establishing direct accountability channels between the government and residents for water quality issues and ensuring responsive resolution of water supply concerns across Madhya Pradesh.