National and State Affairs

PM Narendra Modi's Visit to Gujarat (Jan 10–12, 2026)

• Somnath Swabhiman Parv: Marked 1,000 years since Mahmud of Ghazni's 1026 CE attack and the 75th anniversary of the temple's post-independence rebuild.
• Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference: Opened at Marwadi University, Rajkot, targeting western Gujarat's industrial growth.
• Ahmedabad-Gandhinagar Metro: Final stretch of Phase 2 flagged off from Mahatma Mandir Metro Station.
• International Kite Festival 2026: Opened at Sabarmati Riverfront with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz attending as Chief Guest.

Governance and Development Memorandums

• National Sports Governance Rules 2026: Notified under the 2025 Act. Mandates at least 4 Sportspersons of Outstanding Merit (SOMs) in National Sports Bodies' General Bodies—ensuring a minimum of 50% are women and 4 women sit on the Executive Committee.
• India’s Largest State AI Skilling Hub: IndiaAI Mission (under MeitY) paired with UPDESCO to establish 65 Data and AI Labs across Uttar Pradesh for practical, tool-based student training.
• Corporate Agri-Research Centre: Coromandel International partnered with IIT Madras to open a commercialization-focused research hub at the IITM Research Park in Chennai.
• Madhya Pradesh 'Swachh Jal Abhiyan': CM Mohan Yadav launched a tech-driven campaign using GIS mapping and robotic inspections to eliminate water contamination. Features weekly Jal Sunwai grievance hearings every Tuesday.

Economy, Finance and Trade

Sector Milestones

• India’s Fish Production Doubles: MoFAHD reported a 106% decade-long surge, reaching 197.75 lakh tonnes in FY24-25 (up from 95.79 lakh tonnes in FY13-14). India is now the world's 2nd largest fish producer, contributing 7.43% to Agriculture GVA. Seafood exports touched a record Rs. 62,408 crore.
• India’s 1st Solar-powered Mobile ATM: Tripura Gramin Bank (TGB), backed by NABARD, deployed three "TGB on Wheels" solar vans in rural Tripura, winning a SKOCH Silver Award.
• ICEGATE-LPMS Integration: Opened at the Agartala (Tripura) Integrated Check Post to sync customs systems with land port operations for real-time digital trade tracking.
• Regulatory Relief: The Central Government revoked the 2023 Quality Control Order on Flux Cored Solder Wire, removing compulsory BIS certification to ease manufacturing delays.
• Innoviti PA License Expansion: Received RBI approval to operate as a Payment Aggregator for both online and offline (in-store) retail transactions.

Inflation Data (December 2025)

• Retail Inflation (CPI): Hit a 3-month high of 1.33% (up from 0.71% in November), though remaining safely under the RBI's 2% lower limit.
• Core Inflation: Climbed to a 27-month high of 4.45%.
• Food Inflation (CFPI): Contracted for the 7th consecutive month at -2.71%.
• State-wise: Kerala recorded the highest state inflation at 9.49%.

Science, Technology and Exploration

ISRO PSLV-C62 Launch Anomaly

On January 12, 2026, the 64th flight of the PSLV (operated by NSIL) encountered a critical anomaly at the tail-end of its 3rd stage (PS3).

The launch aimed to deliver payloads to a 511 km Sun Synchronous Orbit. This marks the second consecutive PSLV setback following the PSLV-C61 anomaly in May 2025.

Mountaineering: Seven Summits Challenge

Indian climber Aritra Roy successfully summited Mount Aconcagua (Argentina)—the highest peak outside Asia at 6,967.15 meters. Fully sponsored by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), this marks his 4th completed peak in the global Seven Summits challenge, battling -40°C temperatures and severe blizzards.

Sports and Corporate Movements

• Alyssa Healy Retires: The legendary Australia Women's Cricket Team Captain announced she will retire from all formats following the multi-format series against India (Feb–Mar 2026).Career Legacy: An 8-time World Cup Winner (6 T20Is, 2 ODIs). Retires as the most successful wicketkeeper in women’s international cricket history with 269 dismissals and 7,106 runs.
• Indian Olympic Ecosystem Revamp: The IOA launched the National Olympic Education and Development Programme (NOEDP) and reactivated the National Olympic Academy (NOA). Sprint legend PT Usha will serve as NOA President, with Olympic medalist Gagan Narang appointed as Director.
• Leadership Move at Meta: Founder Mark Zuckerberg appointed Dina Powell McCormick (former Goldman Sachs partner and US Deputy National Security Advisor) as President and Vice Chairman of Meta to steer its global AI strategy.

Obituaries

• Thomas Kuthiravattam (Age 80): Veteran Kerala Congress (M) leader and former Rajya Sabha MP (1985–1991). Notably served on the Joint Parliamentary Committee probing the historic Bofors deal. Passed away in Alappuzha, Kerala.