Daily Current Affairs – 01-01-2026
National News
Indian Army to Feature Animal Contingent at Republic Day Parade
For the first time, the Indian Army will present a dedicated animal contingent of its Remount & Veterinary Corps (RVC) at the Republic Day Parade on January 26, showcasing the operational role of animals in military duties. The contingent will include two Bactrian camels, four Zanskar ponies, four raptors, 10 Indian-breed Army dogs, and six conventional military dogs. The Bactrian camels, recently inducted for operations in Ladakh, have enhanced logistics and mounted patrolling along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in sandy terrain and steep gradients, while the Zanskar ponies, an indigenous mountain breed from Ladakh, are known for endurance in high-altitude conditions. The inclusion of raptors reflects their use in bird-strike control and surveillance, and the presence of Army dogs highlights their role in active military service alongside troops.
Union Cabinet Approves Deferment of Vodafone Idea AGR Dues
The Union Cabinet approved on December 31, 2025, a five-year deferment of ₹87,695 crore in Adjusted Gross Revenue (AGR) dues payable by Vodafone Idea to the Central Government, arising from license fee and spectrum usage charges under the telecom revenue-sharing framework. As per the decision, the company will begin repayments in the financial year 2031–32 and complete them by 2040–41, addressing the long-standing dispute between the Department of Telecommunications and telecom operators over the definition of revenue for AGR calculations. The approval also notes that the Central Government holds about 48.9% equity in Vodafone Idea and considers the interests of the government, the company’s around 20 crore subscribers, and the need to maintain competition in the telecom sector.
Union Cabinet Clears Nashik–Solapur Six-Lane Greenfield Highway
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by Narendra Modi, approved on December 31, 2025, the construction of a six-lane greenfield highway between Nashik–Akkalkot sections of Solapur district in Maharashtra at an estimated cost of ₹19,142 crore. The 374 km-long highway, to be completed within two years, will form a part of the Chennai–Surat Expressway, connecting southern and western India, and is expected to reduce Chennai–Surat travel time by 45% while improving connectivity between Chennai Port and Hazira Port near Surat. The CCEA also approved the upgradation of the highway between Mohana in Gajapati district and Koraput district of Odisha into a two-lane road, covering 206.2 km, to be constructed within two years at a cost of ₹1,526 crore.
Sports News
Deepti Sharma Becomes Highest Wicket-Taker in Women’s T20Is
Deepti Sharma became the highest wicket-taker in Women’s T20 Internationals on Tuesday by claiming her 152nd wicket, surpassing Megan Schutt’s previous record of 151 wickets. The milestone was achieved in the fifth and final match held at Thiruvananthapuram, where the Indian off-spinner dismissed Nilakshika Silva of Sri Lanka by LBW. Deepti Sharma reached this record with 152 wickets from 133 matches in the Women’s T20I format.
Three Indians Named to FIFA Referees List for 2026
The All India Football Federation announced on December 31, 2025, that three Indian referees, including one woman, have been included in the FIFA Referees List for 2026. The selected referees are Rachna Samani from Gujarat, Ashwin Kumar from Puducherry, and Aditya Purkayastha from Delhi. Additionally, Muralitharan Pandurangan from Puducherry and Peter Christopher from Maharashtra have been included in the FIFA Assistant Referees List. With these additions, India now has 19 officials on the FIFA Referees List for 2026, covering referees, assistant referees, and futsal referees.
World Rapid Chess Championship 2025: Carlsen Wins Gold, Arjun Erigaisi Bronze
At the World Rapid Chess Championship, held in Qatar and concluded on December 31, 2025, Magnus Carlsen of Norway won the Rapid Open title, becoming world rapid champion for the 9th consecutive time, thereby extending his own record. In the final, he defeated Nodirbek Abdusattorov. In the Rapid Open category, Arjun Erigaisi of India, who topped the 19-round league stage, lost in the semi-final to Abdusattorov but later defeated Fabiano Caruana of the USA to secure the bronze medal. In the Women’s Rapid category, Koneru Humpy of India finished second and won the silver medal.
International News
India Becomes the World’s Fourth Largest Economy
The Government of India stated on December 31, 2025, that India has surpassed Japan to become the world’s fourth largest economy with a GDP of $4.18 trillion, and is projected to overtake Germany by 2030 to become the third largest economy with an estimated GDP of $7.3 trillion. India’s real GDP growth rose to 8.2% in Q2 of FY 2025–26, compared to 7.8% in Q1 and 7.4% in Q4 of FY 2024–25, marking a six-quarter high. The United States remains the largest economy and China the second largest globally. The statement also noted that private consumption-led domestic demand supported growth amid global trade uncertainties, while international agencies projected sustained growth, including World Bank at 6.5% in 2026, International Monetary Fund at 6.6% in 2025 and 6.2% in 2026, and Asian Development Bank raising its 2025 forecast to 7.2%; the government further highlighted low inflation, declining unemployment, improving exports, and stable financial conditions.
Personalities, Awards and Events
Khaleda Zia, Bangladesh’s First Woman Prime Minister, Passes Away
Khaleda Zia, Bangladesh’s first woman Prime Minister, and a senior leader of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), passed away at the age of 80 on Tuesday in Dhaka, as confirmed by her party. Her long-standing political rivalry with Sheikh Hasina shaped Bangladesh’s politics for several decades. Following her death, Bangladesh’s interim government announced three days of national mourning and declared a general holiday on the day of her funeral prayers, which were held in front of the national Parliament building in Dhaka, and she was accorded full state honours at burial beside her husband Ziaur Rahman, a former President of Bangladesh. Muhammad Yunus, head of the interim government, and Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India, issued official condolence statements. Khaleda Zia had earlier been sentenced to 17 years’ imprisonment in two corruption cases, but was acquitted by the Bangladesh Supreme Court in January 2025, which would have allowed her to contest the February 2026 general election; she had been released from prison in 2020 on medical grounds.
Economy News
India’s Sugar Production Rises by 23.43% in 2025–26 Marketing Year
India’s overall sugar production increased by 23.43% during the first three months of the 2025–26 sugar marketing year (October 2025–September 2026), according to data released by the National Federation of Cooperative Sugar Factories (NFCSF), with total output recorded at 1.183 crore tonnes compared to 95.6 lakh tonnes in the same period of 2024–25. As of December 31, 2025, 499 sugar mills crushed 13.4 crore tonnes of sugarcane to produce 1.18 crore tonnes of sugar, achieving a recovery rate of 8.83%. Uttar Pradesh, the largest sugar-producing state, recorded an increase from 32.6 lakh tonnes to 35.6 lakh tonnes, while Maharashtra, the second-largest producer, registered a 63% rise from 29.9 lakh tonnes to 48.7 lakh tonnes. Karnataka produced 22.1 lakh tonnes, up from 20.5 lakh tonnes, while Gujarat (2.85 lakh tonnes), Bihar (1.95 lakh tonnes), and Uttarakhand (1.30 lakh tonnes) also contributed to production. The report estimates that net sugar production for the full 2025–26 marketing year will be 3.15 crore tonnes, after accounting for diversion towards ethanol production.
No Change in Interest Rates for Small Savings Schemes
The Union Finance Ministry announced on December 31, 2025, that the interest rates for post office small savings schemes will remain unchanged for the January–March 2026 quarter, which is the last quarter of the 2025–26 financial year, marking the seventh consecutive quarter with no revision in rates. The interest rates notified include 8.2% for Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana, 7.1% for the three-year Time Deposit scheme, 7.1% for Public Provident Fund (PPF), 4% for Post Office Savings Deposit, 7.5% for Kisan Vikas Patra, and 7.7% for National Savings Certificate (NSC), and these rates will remain applicable from January 1 to March 31, 2026. The ministry also noted that the last revision in small savings interest rates was made in the final quarter of the 2023–24 financial year, and such rates are reviewed and notified every quarter.
RBI Financial Stability Report Highlights India’s Economic Resilience
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) stated in its Financial Stability Report, released on December 31, 2025, that the Indian economy has continued to reach new highs despite global economic uncertainties and external shocks. The report, presented by Shaktikanta Das, Governor of the Reserve Bank of India, highlighted strong domestic economic growth, controlled inflation, and the sound financial health and performance of public and private sector banks as key strengths. It also noted growth in the manufacturing sector, high domestic demand for goods and services, and a rise in investment levels, concluding that global economic fluctuations and policy decisions of other countries have not had a major adverse impact on India.
Science and Technology News
Pralay Missile Test Successfully Conducted
The indigenously developed Pralay missile was successfully test-fired on December 31, 2025, in quick succession from the Integrated Test Range, Chandipur, Odisha, confirming its readiness for induction into the armed forces. Developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), Pralay is a short-range surface-to-surface missile capable of carrying a payload of up to 1,000 kg with a strike range of up to 500 km, and is equipped with advanced guidance systems for precision targeting. During the test, two missiles were launched in quick succession from the same launcher and accurately hit their designated targets, marking a significant milestone in the missile’s development. The successful test involved coordination with the Indian Army, Indian Air Force, and concerned public sector undertakings, and the achievement was acknowledged by Rajnath Singh, the Defence Minister of India.
Tamil Nadu News
₹248.67 Crore Pongal Gift Hamper Allocation by Tamil Nadu Government
The Government of Tamil Nadu issued a government order on December 31, 2025, approving an allocation of ₹248.67 crore for distributing Pongal gift hampers to around 2.23 crore rice-drawing ration cardholders and families residing in Sri Lankan Tamil rehabilitation camps across the state, with tokens to be issued shortly through fair price shops. The Pongal hamper will consist of 1 kg raw rice, 1 kg sugar, and one full-length sugarcane, with procurement approved through the Tamil Nadu Civil Supplies Corporation via the National Cooperative Consumers’ Federation of India (NCCF). The procurement cost has been fixed at ₹35.20 per kg for raw rice with purchase approval at ₹25 per kg, ₹42.84 per kg for sugar with procurement allowed up to ₹48.54 per kg, and ₹38 per sugarcane including transport and cutting charges. Along with the food hamper, 1.77 crore dhotis and 1.77 crore sarees have been procured from weavers, of which about 85% have already been dispatched to fair price shops. The cash gift amount for Pongal is yet to be announced, noting that ₹1,000 cash assistance was provided along with the hamper in 2023 and 2024, while no cash assistance was given in 2025, and expectations remain due to the 2026 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly elections.