Daily Current Affairs – 04-01-2026
Important Days
World Braille Day
January 4 is observed as World Braille Day to honor the birth of Louis Braille, the inventor of the Braille system, which provides blind and visually impaired individuals with a way to read and write. Braille was developed in the 19th century and is now used worldwide. The day aims to raise awareness about the importance of Braille in enabling blind people to gain access to education, employment, and other essential services. It also highlights the need to ensure that Braille materials and resources are available to those who need them.
National News
Sindhudurg Airport Receives DGCA Approval for 24X7 Operations
The Sindhudurg Airport, located in the Konkan region of Maharashtra, has received approval from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to operate round-the-clock, including during low visibility and adverse weather conditions. This approval enhances the airport’s reliability and operational capability, supporting continuous air traffic. The approval was announced by IRB Infrastructure Developers, who manage the airport.
Indian Army Signs ₹293-Crore Deal for Long-Range Rocket Launchers with Israeli Technology
Indian Army signed a ₹293-crore contract with the private defense manufacturer NIBE Ltd., in collaboration with Israel, for the procurement of an advanced long-range rocket launcher system. The system, named Suryastra, is capable of executing precision strikes at ranges of 150 km and 300 km. This acquisition will significantly enhance the Army's artillery firepower and operational reach. The Suryastra is India’s first Made in India universal multi-calibre rocket launcher. It has a high degree of accuracy, with a circular error probable (CEP) of less than five metres during trials. The contract is part of the emergency procurement provisions, which allow the armed services to procure weapons systems worth up to ₹300 crore on an urgent basis. The Technology Collaboration Agreement (TCA) for the SURYA system was signed with Elbit Systems of Israel in July 2025.
Conference on New Criminal Laws Held in Andaman
Union Home Minister Amit Shah inaugurated a conference on the new criminal laws in Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The conference, held at the Civic Centre in Sriperumbudur (formerly Port Blair), will continue for three days. The new laws, namely the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, were introduced in 2024 to replace previous criminal laws. The conference features stalls that provide information about these laws, including special sections on crimes against women and children, and the prevention of cybercrimes. Hariprasad Srividya, the Director General of Police of Andaman, briefed Amit Shah about the details of the laws. A high-level meeting of the Parliamentary Consultative Committee of the Ministry of Home Affairs was also held in Sriperumbudur, discussing national security, cybersecurity, and terrorism infrastructure. In the meeting, Amit Shah emphasized the use of modern technology in crime prevention and the need for modern forensic centers in regions like the Central Forensic Science Laboratory and National Forensic Sciences University. Amit Shah arrived in Andaman for a three-day visit and is scheduled to leave on Sunday. Extensive security arrangements were made for his visit.
Supreme Court on Setting Time Limits for Police Interrogation
On January 3, 2026, the Supreme Court stated that setting deadlines for investigative agencies, including the police department, to complete an investigation should be considered an exception, not a regular practice. This observation came while the court was overturning the order of the Allahabad High Court, which had stayed coercive action against a person accused of obtaining an arms license through fraudulent means and had directed the Uttar Pradesh police to conclude the investigation within 90 days. A bench of Justices Sanjay Karol and N.K. Singh noted that setting such deadlines from the outset interferes with the jurisdiction of the investigating agencies and the government administration. The court clarified that deadlines can only be imposed when there are unnecessary delays or stagnation in investigations, as the Constitution does not permit investigations to continue indefinitely. The Allahabad High Court's order was deemed erroneous and was consequently set aside.
Tamil Nadu News
CM Stalin Launches New Projects Worth ₹124 Crore for HR&CE Department
Chief Minister M.K. Stalin laid the foundation stone for new projects and inaugurated completed works totaling ₹124.2 crore for the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Department through video conference at the Chennai Secretariat. The new projects, worth ₹108.90 crore, include developments at 19 temples, such as Rameswaram, Srirangam, Madurai, Palani, Tirupparankundram, Tiruttani, Sholinghur, Samayapuram, Kanchipuram, and Tirunelveli. These projects include building guest houses, marriage halls, annadhanam halls, tonsuring centers, commercial complexes, staff quarters, chariot sheds, and renovating temple tanks. In addition, 10 completed projects were inaugurated, including a priest training school in Salem and a new annadhanam hall in Mayiladuthurai. Three mini-buses, costing ₹1.23 crore, were flagged off for Mamallapuram, Palani, and Subramanya Swamy Temple. HR&CE Minister P.K. Sekar Babu, Chief Secretary N. Muruganandam, and other officials participated in the event.
Tamil Nadu Leads in Dengue Cases: 20,866 Infected Last Year
In 2025, Tamil Nadu ranked first in the country for dengue fever cases, with 20,866 people affected, as reported by the Union Health Ministry. The outbreak started early in the year due to intermittent rains, which increased the breeding of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes in stagnant rainwater on roads and streets. The northeast monsoon further contributed to the spread of the disease, leading to a rise in the number of people seeking treatment at both government and private hospitals. Despite the Tamil Nadu Health Department's preventive measures, the number of cases continued to rise, affecting people of all ages. Nationwide, 1,13,450 cases were reported from January to November 2025, with 95 deaths. Tamil Nadu's figures were followed by Maharashtra (13,333), Kerala (10,239), Uttar Pradesh (8,926), Telangana (8,139), Karnataka (6,756), and Manipur (5,457). In terms of fatalities, Kerala recorded the highest with 49 deaths, followed by Maharashtra (13) and Tamil Nadu (12).
Award for Teachers in the Name of ‘Savitribai Phule’
On January 3, 2026, the birthday of Savitribai Phule, India's first female teacher, was celebrated. Savitribai Phule is regarded as the mother of modern education and women's education in India. She was not only the first female teacher in India but also trained 417 students who later became teachers. These 417 teachers went on to educate thousands of students, who, in turn, imparted education to many more, demonstrating the power of education. In recognition of her contribution, the Tamil Nadu government announced that it would institute an award in the name of Savitribai Phule for female teachers. Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi, the Minister for School Education, assured that steps would be taken to implement this and bring it to the attention of Chief Minister M.K. Stalin.
Chief Minister M.K. Stalin Presents Best Weaver and Designer Awards
Chief Minister M.K. Stalin presented awards and cheques worth ₹23.75 lakh to 13 awardees at the Secretariat. The awards were for the Best Handloom Weaver, Best Designer, and Best Young Designer at the state level. These awards, along with cash prizes, were given by the Tamil Nadu Department of Handlooms, Handicrafts, Textiles, and Khadi. The award ceremony for the year 2024-25 was held at the Secretariat, where the top 3 best weavers in silk and cotton categories received a total of ₹20 lakh, while 8 best cotton weavers were also awarded. Additionally, cheques worth ₹1.50 lakh were presented to the Best Designer Award recipients and ₹2.25 lakh to the Best Young Designer Award winners. The event was attended by R. Gandhi, Minister of Handlooms and Textiles, N. Muruganandam, Chief Secretary, and V. Amuthavalli, Secretary of the Handlooms, Handicrafts, Textiles, and Khadi Department.
Tamil Nadu Guaranteed Pension Scheme (TAPS) Announced for Government Employees
Tamil Nadu government introduced the Guaranteed Pension Scheme for employees who joined service after April 1, 2004. Under this scheme, pensioners will receive 50% of their last drawn salary as pension, along with a death-cum-retirement gratuity of up to ₹25 lakh. The government also assured that minimum pension would be provided to employees who retire without meeting the required service period. The scheme includes several benefits like Dearness Allowance (DA) every six months for pensioners, and if a pensioner dies, the family member will receive 60% of the pension. The scheme also provides special qualifying pension for the heirs of those government employees who had joined under the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) but passed away before the new scheme's implementation. The scheme was introduced after talks between government officials and employee unions like JACTO-GEO and the CPS Abolition Movement, who had been protesting for the restoration of the old pension scheme. The scheme aims to fulfill the 20-year-long demand of government employees and teachers, despite the financial challenges faced by the government.
Key Features
- The key features of the Guaranteed Pension Scheme announced by the Tamil Nadu government are as follows:
- A guaranteed pension equivalent to 50% of the last drawn salary will be provided to Tamil Nadu government employees.
- The Tamil Nadu government will bear the full additional financial liability upon an employee's retirement.
- Pensioners receiving the 50% guaranteed pension will be entitled to a Dearness Allowance (DA) hike once every 6 months, similar to serving government employees.
- In the event of a pensioner's death, the nominated family member will receive a family pension equivalent to 60% of the pension drawn by the deceased.
- Upon retirement or in case of death during service, government employees will receive a gratuity of up to ₹25 lakh, depending on their length of service.
- After the implementation of this new scheme, a minimum pension will be provided to all employees who retire without completing the qualifying period of service for a full pension.
- A special qualifying pension will be provided to the legal heirs of government employees who joined under the Contributory Pension Scheme and passed away before the implementation of this new scheme.
Economy News
Forex Reserves Rise to $69,661 Crore
Reserve Bank of India (RBI) reported that India's foreign exchange reserves increased to $69,661 crore for the week ending December 26, 2025. The reserves grew by $329.3 crore, compared to $69,332 crore for the week ending December 19, 2025. A key component of these reserves, foreign currency assets, rose by $18.4 crore to $55,961.2 crore. The value of currencies like the euro, pound, and yen is included in these reserves, which are expressed in US dollar terms. India's gold reserves increased by $295.6 crore, reaching $11,332 crore. The Special Drawing Rights (SDRs) rose by $6 crore, standing at $1,880.3 crore, and the IMF reserve position grew by $9.3 crore to reach $487.5 crore.
International News
Sudden US Attack on Venezuela: President Maduro Captured
US forces launched a surprise aerial assault on Venezuela, accusing the country of being involved in drug trafficking. Following the attack, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were captured and taken to a US Air Force base in Curaçao. This attack is part of the US's ongoing efforts to combat drug trafficking, with previous actions targeting cargo ships from Cuba, Nicaragua, and Iran. Since October 2025, US forces had carried out multiple attacks in Venezuela, leading to 115 deaths. The assault on the presidential palace resulted in the death of seven bodyguards of President Maduro. The Venezuelan government condemned the attack as an assault on democracy, and the US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo officially confirmed the attack. Countries like Cuba, Russia, Iran, and China strongly condemned the attack, while some nations, including Australia and Argentina, supported the US action. President Donald Trump confirmed that Maduro and his wife would face trial in the US.
Sports News
KKR Releases Bangladesh Player Mustafizur Rahman Following BCCI’s Order
BCCI instructed the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to release Bangladesh bowler Mustafizur Rahman from their squad. This decision comes at a time when bilateral relations between Bangladesh and India are strained, and its impact is being felt in the sports arena. The Kolkata team had purchased Mustafizur for ₹9.20 crore during the 2026 IPL auction, with competition from teams like Chennai Super Kings and Delhi Capitals. Mustafizur has played in 8 IPL seasons since 2016. The BCCI Secretary Jay Shah stated that if KKR requests a replacement for him, they will grant permission. This issue arose following a Hindu youth's killing, leading to tensions between the two countries. Additionally, the Bangladesh-India one-day series scheduled for the previous year in Bangladesh was postponed and is now scheduled for September 2026, though the BCCI has not yet commented on it.
National Shooting Championship: Gold for Tamil Nadu
National Shooting Championship, Ajay Kumar of the Army won gold in the 10m air pistol event with 241.1 points. Shubham Bisla of Railways won silver, and Anmol Jain of Haryana secured bronze. Jonathan Kevin of Karnataka won 3 gold medals in the sub-youth, youth, and junior categories. In the senior mixed trap event, Tamil Nadu defeated Madhya Pradesh 36-35 to win the gold medal. In the junior trap mixed teams event, Tamil Nadu defeated Haryana 39-35 to clinch another gold. Yugan and Tanishka Senthil Kumar were key performers in securing the victories for Tamil Nadu.