🇮🇳 National News
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) inaugurated PARAM SHAKTI, an indigenously developed supercomputing facility, at IIT Madras on January 3, 2026.
- System – Powered by PARAM RUDRA, designed by C-DAC under the National Supercomputing Mission (NSM)
- Computing Power – Peak capacity of 3.1 petaflops (3.1 quadrillion calculations per second)
- Operating System – Open-source AlmaLinux with C-DAC’s proprietary system software
Research Applications: Aerospace engineering, materials science, climate simulations, molecular and nuclear sciences, and drug discovery.
With this addition, 37 high-performance computing systems are now operational across India under NSM. The initiative strengthens India’s computing and AI ecosystem, supports the IndiaAI Mission, and reduces dependency on single technology providers.
A symbolic book launch was held in Visakhapatnam, where Lakshmamma, a sanitation worker at Andhra University, released a book on President Droupadi Murmu.
- Book Title – “Agni Sarassulo Vikasinchina Kamalam Droupadi Murmu” (A lotus blooming in fire-filled waters)
- Author – Former MP Yarlagadda Lakshmi Prasad
- Venue – Under a tree on the university campus
The author deliberately chose a sanitation worker to release the book to underline dignity of labour, equality, humility, and perseverance—values closely associated with President Murmu’s journey from adversity to the highest constitutional office.
Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel inaugurated ‘Asha Van’, a mobile cancer screening unit aimed at improving healthcare access in rural and remote areas.
- Equipment – EVA-Pro diagnostic technology, digital mammography, and teleconsultation facilities
- Capability – Screening for up to 10 types of cancer including lung, oral, cervical, breast, and prostate cancers
- Operator – Bhavnagar branch of the Indian Red Cross Society
The unit provides on-the-spot tests and preliminary reports, removing barriers of distance, affordability, and accessibility faced by rural populations, aligning with India’s vision of “Health and Wellness for All”.
Vice-President C. P. Radhakrishnan inaugurated the Third International Conference on Indian Languages in New Delhi.
- Participants – Scholars, linguists, language experts, and international delegates
- Focus – Preservation and global promotion of Indian languages
- Key Highlight – Translation of the Indian Constitution into Santhali as a milestone for linguistic inclusion
The Eighth Schedule of the Constitution protects multiple Indian languages. Initiatives like National Education Policy 2020 and Gyan Bharatam Mission support language preservation through digital archives and AI-based translation tools.
The 53rd New Delhi World Book Fair (NDWBF) commenced at Bharat Mandapam, offering free entry for all visitors.
- Theme – “Indian Military History: Valour and Wisdom @75” (commemorating 75 years of independence)
- Scale – Over 1,000 publishers and 600+ literary and cultural events
- Theme Pavilion – 1,000 sq. metre space with 500+ books, exhibitions, and documentaries
| International Participation | Details |
|---|---|
| Countries | 35+ countries participating |
| Guest of Honour | Qatar |
| Focus Country | Spain |
| Special Partner | France (India-France Year of Innovation) |
Children’s Pavilion (Kidz Express) includes storytelling, theatre, quizzes, and access to Rashtriya e-Pustakalaya (ReP) with over 6,000 free digital books.
The Ministry of Women and Child Development launched PANKHUDI, a digital portal for coordinated welfare efforts, inaugurated on January 8 by Union Minister Smt. Annpurna Devi.
- Function – Single-window platform connecting government agencies, NGOs, corporates, and citizens
- Coverage – 14 lakh Anganwadi Centres and 5,000 Child Care Institutions nationwide
Supported Schemes: Mission Saksham Anganwadi & Poshan 2.0, Mission Vatsalya, and Mission Shakti.
The portal strengthens coordination for 800 One Stop Centres, 500 Shakhi Niwas, and 400 Shakti Sadan. Contributors can register, submit proposals, fund programs, and monitor progress through transparent non-cash mechanisms.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) announced that five Indian films are eligible for Best Picture consideration at the 98th Academy Awards (Oscars 2026).
| Film | Language | Key Artist |
|---|---|---|
| Kantara: A Legend – Chapter 1 | Kannada | Rishabh Shetty |
| Tanvi The Great | Hindi | Anupam Kher |
| Mahavatar Narsimha | Multilingual | Animated Film |
| Tourist Family | Tamil | Abishan Jeevinth |
| Sister Midnight | Hindi–UK | Radhika Apte |
Nomination Voting: January 12–16, 2026
Nominations Announced: January 22, 2026
Ceremony: March 15, 2026, Los Angeles
Eligibility Criteria: 45-day run in 10 U.S. theatres and compliance with RAISE diversity standards.
💼 Business & Economy
Bengaluru-based fintech firm Skydo received final authorization from the Reserve Bank of India to operate as a Payment Aggregator–Cross Border (PA-CB).
- Customers – Serves 30,000+ MSMEs, startups, and freelancers across 50+ cities
- Currencies – Enables payments in 32+ foreign currencies
- Pricing Model – Flat-fee with no markup on live mid-market forex rates
Skydo recently raised ₹83 crore ($10 million) in Series A funding and aims to achieve ₹41,680 crore ($5 billion) in annualised payment volumes by 2027.
Platform Features: Instant compliance documentation, faster settlements, invoicing tools, analytics dashboards, and ERP integration.
The UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN-DESA) released the World Economic Situation and Prospects (WESP) 2026 report.
| Indicator | 2025 | 2026 | 2027 |
|---|---|---|---|
| India’s GDP Growth | 7.4% | 6.6% | 6.7% |
| Global Growth | — | 2.7% | — |
| Global Trade Growth | — | 2.2% | — |
India’s growth is supported by strong public investment, resilient household consumption, tax reforms, and accommodative monetary policies. The projection aligns with IMF’s assessment that India may remain the only major economy growing above 6% during 2025–26.
The Public Investment Board approved the Kamala Hydroelectric Project in Arunachal Pradesh.
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 1,720 MW |
| Annual Generation | 6,870 million units |
| Dam Height | 216 metres (concrete gravity dam) |
| Total Cost | ₹26,070 crore |
| Debt-Equity Ratio | 70:30 |
| Completion Time | 96 months |
- Development Model – BOOT (Build-Own-Operate-Transfer)
- Equity – NHPC holds 74%, Arunachal Pradesh government holds 26%
- Employment – 300 direct jobs and 2,500 contract jobs during peak construction
Additional funding includes ₹1,340 crore for infrastructure and ₹4,744 crore for flood moderation benefiting the Brahmaputra Valley. The project contributes to India’s renewable energy targets and net-zero goal by 2070.
IREDA received an ‘Excellent’ rating in its MoU with the Ministry of New & Renewable Energy for FY 2024–25, scoring 96.42 out of 100.
- Achievement – Fifth consecutive year of ‘Excellent’ performance
- Previous Performance – Improved from a ‘Fair’ rating of 45.83 in FY 2019–20
- CMD – Shri Pradip Kumar Das
Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency (IREDA) is India’s largest green NBFC, playing a key role in financing renewable energy projects and supporting India’s clean energy transition.
👔 Appointments
Justice Manoj Kumar Gupta, currently a judge of the Allahabad High Court, has been appointed as the Chief Justice of the Uttarakhand High Court.
- Recommendation – Supreme Court Collegium in December 2025
- Predecessor – Chief Justice Guhanathan Narendar (retired January 9, 2026)
- Allahabad HC Elevation – April 12, 2013
- Tenure – Until retirement on October 8, 2026
The appointment ensures administrative continuity and reflects the functioning of India’s Collegium system in judicial appointments. The Chief Justice role is crucial for court administration, justice delivery, and constitutional guidance within the state.
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