National

The University Grants Commission (UGC) has issued new legally binding guidelines in January 2026 to curb caste-based discrimination in higher education institutions. These rules, called the Promotion of Equity in Higher Education Institutions Regulations, 2026, replace the earlier 2012 advisory framework and mandate strict compliance by all UGC-recognised universities and colleges.

---

📌 Key Features of the New UGC Guidelines

• Legal Framework: Unlike the 2012 guidelines, the 2026 regulations are mandatory and enforceable, with penalties for non-compliance.
• Expanded Definition of Discrimination: Explicitly covers SC, ST, and OBC students, correcting earlier gaps that excluded OBCs.
• Equal Opportunity Centres (EOCs): Every institution must establish an EOC to handle complaints, promote inclusivity, and monitor compliance.
• Accountability: Vice-chancellors, principals, and heads of institutions are directly responsible for ensuring equity and preventing discrimination.
• Grievance Redressal: Institutions must set up dedicated grievance mechanisms for caste-based complaints, covering admissions, hostels, classrooms, and faculty interactions.
• Penalties: Non-compliance can lead to financial sanctions, withdrawal of recognition, or other disciplinary action against institutions.

---

🏛 Impact on Campuses

• Students: Greater protection for marginalized groups, ensuring dignity and equal opportunity in academics, hostels, and extracurricular activities.
• Faculty & Staff: Required to undergo sensitization programs to prevent discriminatory practices.
• Institutions: Must adopt proactive measures like awareness campaigns, reporting systems, and periodic audits of inclusivity.

---

📊 Comparison: Old vs New Guidelines

Aspect	2012 Guidelines	2026 Guidelines
Nature	Advisory only	Legally binding
Coverage	SC/ST students	SC, ST, OBC students
Compliance	Voluntary	Mandatory with penalties
Grievance System	General redress	Dedicated caste-based complaint mechanisms
Institutional Role	Encouraged equity	Equal Opportunity Centres compulsory

India celebrated its 77th Republic Day with a grand parade at Kartavya Path in New Delhi on January 26, 2026, highlighting the nation’s cultural diversity, economic progress, and military strength. President Droupadi Murmu led the celebrations, after Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid homage at the National War Memorial. The President arrived with the chief guests — European Council President Antonio Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen — and unfurled the national flag, followed by the National Anthem and a 21-gun salute.

This year’s celebration focused on the themes ‘Swatantrata ka Mantra: Vande Mataram’ and ‘Samriddhi ka Mantra: Aatmanirbhar Bharat’. Thirty tableaux from states, union territories, and central ministries showcased India’s cultural richness, the legacy of Vande Mataram, and the nation’s progress in self-reliance. The military display featured major platforms including BrahMos, Akash systems, the Suryastra rocket launcher, and Main Battle Tank Arjun, along with a tri-services tableau depicting Operation Sindoor.

President Murmu awarded Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla of the Indian Air Force with the Ashoka Chakra, the highest peacetime gallantry award. The celebrations concluded with a flypast of 29 aircraft including Rafale, Su-30, C-295, Mig-29 and Apache helicopters. Over 2,500 artists performed, and the event was attended by special invitees from diverse fields.

The Government of India has officially notified 33 questions to be asked during the first phase of the upcoming Census, beginning April 1, 2026. This phase, known as houselisting and housing enumeration, will collect detailed information about households, amenities, and living conditions.

---

🏠 First Phase of Census: Houselisting and Housing Enumeration

The Census is conducted in two phases, and the first phase focuses on housing-related data. Enumerators will visit households to record details that help the government plan infrastructure, welfare schemes, and resource allocation.

Key Areas Covered in the 33 Questions

• Housing Conditions: Type of flooring, roofing, and materials used in construction.
• Ownership Status: Whether the house is owned, rented, or otherwise occupied.
• Household Composition: Number of members, number of married couples, and sex of the household head.
• Basic Amenities: Availability of drinking water, electricity, bathing facilities, and sanitation.
• Modern Facilities: Access to internet, type of mobile phones used, and digital connectivity.
• Food Consumption: Main cereal consumed by the household.
• Assets: Vehicles owned and other household assets.

---

President of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, visited India on January 19, 2026, at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The visit marked his third official trip as UAE President and reinforced the growing depth of the India-UAE Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

🌍 Context of the Visit

• Date: January 19, 2026
• Occasion: Official state visit at the invitation of PM Narendra Modi.
• Significance: Fifth visit to India in the last decade, reflecting strong bilateral ties.
• Backdrop: The visit came amid global geopolitical uncertainty, including tensions in West Asia and shifting global alliances.

🤝 Key Outcomes

• Agreements Signed:
• Nuclear Energy Cooperation: Strengthening collaboration in peaceful nuclear technologies.
• Artificial Intelligence (AI): Joint initiatives to advance AI research and applications.
• Counter-Terrorism: Enhanced cooperation to combat extremism and terrorism.
• Satellite Manufacturing: Partnership to develop advanced space and defence capabilities.
• Comprehensive Strategic Partnership: Both leaders reaffirmed the steady growth of this framework over the past decade.

On 17 January, Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off India’s first Vande Bharat Sleeper Train between Howrah and Guwahati (Kamakhya) from Malda Town railway station, and also virtually launched the Guwahati–Howrah service.

The fully air-conditioned sleeper version of Vande Bharat aims to provide airline-like comfort at economical fares, making long-distance travel faster, safer and more convenient for passengers such as students, professionals, migrant workers, traders, and pilgrims.

The semi-high-speed train can run up to 180 km/h and has 16 modern coaches with a capacity of 823 passengers.

The President of the European Council António Luís Santos da Costa and the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen will be the Chief Guests at India’s 77th Republic Day celebrations on 26 January at Kartavyapath. They are visiting India at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and will be on a three-day State Visit from 25 January.

During their visit, both leaders will also co-chair the 16th India-EU Summit on 27 January, meet President Droupadi Murmu, and hold delegation-level talks with Prime Minister Modi. An India-EU Business Forum is planned on the sidelines of the Summit.

India and the European Union have been strategic partners since 2004, with the last (15th) India-EU Summit held virtually in July 2020. Bilateral ties have strengthened across multiple areas, especially after the EU College of Commissioners visited India in February last year. The Republic Day participation and the upcoming Summit are expected to further deepen the India-EU Strategic Partnership and expand cooperation in priority sectors of mutual interest.

The 53rd New Delhi World Book Fair (NDWBF) 2026 is set to transform Bharat Mandapam into a global literary hub from January 10 to January 18. This nine-day extravaganza promises to be a landmark event for book lovers, featuring over 1,000 publishers from more than 35 countries.

---

Event Overview: NDWBF 2026

• Dates: January 10 – 18, 2026
• Venue: Bharat Mandapam, Pragati Maidan, New Delhi
• Organizer: National Book Trust (NBT)
• Special Announcement: For the first time in its history, entry to the book fair is free for all visitors.

---

Global & Cultural Partnerships

The 2026 edition emphasizes international literary exchange with two prominent nations taking center stage:

• Guest of Honour Country: Qatar
• Focus Country: Spain
• Global Reach: Participation from 35+ countries ensures a diverse range of multilingual literature and cultural dialogues.

---

Central Theme: Valour and Wisdom @ 75

This year, the fair shifts its focus toward a deep appreciation of national service with the theme “Indian Military History: Valour and Wisdom @ 75.” * Tribute to the Armed Forces: The fair honors the Army, Navy, and Air Force for their contributions to India’s unity and security since Independence.

• Theme Pavilion: A massive 1,000-square-metre curated space featuring visual installations, live programs, and exhibitions.
• Curated Collection: Over 500 books dedicated to Indian military history, defense strategies, and tales of bravery will be on display.

---

Key Attractions for Visitors

1. Children’s Pavilion: A dedicated space designed to foster a love for reading among younger audiences through interactive sessions and age-appropriate literature.
2. Live Programs: The fair will host various author interactions, book launches, and cultural performances that bridge the gap between writers and readers.
3. Modern Installations: The Theme Pavilion will use a mix of traditional books and modern visual technology to tell the story of India’s military journey.

---

The Government of India has officially notified the roadmap for the 16th Indian Census. This exercise is landmarked as the nation’s first-ever digital census and includes the historic addition of caste enumeration.

---

1. Official Schedule & Phases

The Census will be conducted in two distinct phases:

Phase	Activity	Timeline
Phase I	Houselisting & Housing Census	April 1 – Sept 30, 2026
Phase II	Population Enumeration (PE)	February 2027
Special Case	PE for Snow-bound areas (Ladakh, HP, UK)	September 2026

• State Window: Each State/UT will choose a specific 30-day window within the Phase I period for house-to-house listing.

---

2. Digital Innovation & Self-Enumeration

• Mobile-First: Data collection via dedicated Android and iOS apps.
• Self-Enumeration: Citizens can fill their own data online. This facility opens 15 days prior to the start of the house-to-house listing in their respective areas.
• Paperless: This marks the end of traditional paper-based forms, ensuring faster data processing.

---

3. Caste Enumeration & Special Features

• Caste Inclusion: Decided by the Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs, the 2027 Census will include caste-wise data collection for the first time in independent India’s census history.
• Scope: It covers all States and Union Territories.
• Reference Date: For the general population, the reference point is March 1, 2027.

---

4. Logistics & Financials

• Total Budget: ₹11,718.24 crore (Approved by the Union Cabinet).
• Workforce: 30 lakh field functionaries (Enumerators, Supervisors, and Charge Officers).
• Hierarchy: Managed by the Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India under the Ministry of Home Affairs.

In January 2026, The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has set two Guinness World Records on the Vanavolu–Vankarakunta stretch of the six-lane Bengaluru–Kadapa–Vijayawada Economic Corridor.
The records are for:

1. Longest continuous Bituminous Concrete laying within 24 hours (~29 lane-km)
2. Highest quantity of Bituminous Concrete laid within 24 hours (over 10,000 metric tonnes)

NHAI stated that the 343 km Economic Corridor will boost inter-state connectivity between Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, aiding trade, tourism, and regional economic growth through faster and safer transport.
Two additional Guinness World Record attempts are underway on the Vanavolu–Vankarakunta–Odulapalle section of NH-544G.

Andhra Pradesh CM N. Chandrababu Naidu praised the achievement and acknowledged the Government of India’s vision and the strong highway development focus under Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, appreciating the engineers and field teams for their dedication.

The Integrated Security Hub (Integrated Command and Control Centre – ICCC) was inaugurated on 3 January 2026 by Amit Shah at Sri Vijaya Puram in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands. The centre has been developed at a cost of ₹229 crore as a high-tech platform for maritime security, disaster management, and smart governance in the strategically vital Indo-Pacific region.

The ICCC functions as a centralized hub for real-time monitoring, AI-based surveillance, smart transport, port connectivity, and urban services, significantly enhancing the islands’ capacity to respond to cyclones, tsunamis, and security threats. Alongside the ICCC, nine infrastructure projects worth ₹373 crore were inaugurated, aimed at strengthening public services, tourism, and connectivity.

Overall, the Integrated Security Hub strengthens India’s maritime dominance, improves national security preparedness, and represents a major step toward digital and smart governance in remote island territories.

Indian Railways has become the world’s largest electrified rail system, completing 100 years of electrification in 2025 and surpassing all other networks globally. Nearly all of India’s 70-thousand route-kilometre broad-gauge network is now powered by electricity. This achievement reflects India’s commitment to sustainability, energy efficiency, and modernization of its transport infrastructure.

---

🚆 Timeline of Indian Railways Electrification

Year	Milestone	Details
1925	First electric train	Ran between Bombay VT (now CSMT) and Kurla Harbour Line, using 1.5 kV DC
1930s–40s	Expansion in Western Ghats	Electrification extended to Igatpuri and Pune to tackle steep gradients
1950s	Shift to 25 kV AC system	Adopted globally accepted standard for efficiency and scalability
1970s–80s	Rapid expansion	Major trunk routes electrified, reducing reliance on steam/diesel traction
2000s	Policy push	Government emphasized electrification for energy security and reduced imports of diesel
2014–2023	Accelerated drive	Electrification speed increased to ~6,000 km per year under national mission
2023	100% electrification of broad-gauge routes	Indian Railways announced completion of electrification across all broad-gauge tracks
2025	100 years of electrification	India celebrated a century since the first electric train, marking itself as the largest electrified rail network globally

---

🌍 Global Context

• Indian Railways operates over 68,000 route km, of which 100% broad-gauge is electrified.
• This makes it the largest electrified rail network in the world, ahead of countries like China and Russia in terms of route length electrified.
• Electrification reduces dependence on imported fossil fuels, cuts greenhouse gas emissions, and supports India’s climate commitments.

---

🔑 Key Facts

• First electric locomotive: “Sir Leslie Wilson” introduced in 1925.
• Technology shift: From 1.5 kV DC to 25 kV AC, aligning with global standards.
• Environmental impact: Electrification expected to save billions of liters of diesel annually and reduce CO₂ emissions significantly.
• Economic impact: Lower operating costs, faster trains, and improved reliability.

---

India achieved a major milestone in railway modernization with the launch of its first Vande Bharat Sleeper Train in January 2026 on the Kolkata (Howrah)–Guwahati route. This marked the beginning of semi-high-speed overnight rail travel in the country, extending the success of the Vande Bharat series beyond day-time chair car services. Developed by Indian Railways, the sleeper variant is designed for long-distance routes of 1,000–1,500 km, offering both speed and comfort.

The train is capable of running at speeds of up to 180 km/h, significantly reducing travel time while providing fully air-conditioned sleeper coaches with cushioned berths for overnight journeys. It is equipped with modern safety features such as automatic doors, fire detection systems, and advanced braking technology. With larger train sets than chair-car versions, it can accommodate more passengers. The fare structure is positioned between conventional express trains and premium luxury services, ranging from ₹2,300 to ₹3,600.

India has emerged as the world’s largest producer of rice, overtaking China, according to Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan. Speaking in New Delhi on 4 January 2026, the minister stated that India’s rice production has reached 150.18 million tonnes, surpassing China’s 145.28 million tonnes, marking a major milestone in global agriculture. He also highlighted that India is now actively supplying rice to international markets.

At the same event, the minister unveiled 184 improved varieties of 25 field crops developed by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR). These include 122 cereals, 6 pulses, 13 oilseeds, 11 fodder crops, 6 sugarcane, 24 cotton, and one variety each of jute and tobacco.

Mr Chouhan emphasized that these high-yielding and climate-resilient seed varieties will help farmers achieve better productivity and quality. He directed officials to ensure rapid distribution of these seeds to farmers and urged scientists to focus on boosting pulses and oilseeds production to make India self-reliant. The achievement reflects the collective efforts of ICAR projects, agricultural universities, and private seed companies, signaling a new phase of agricultural revolution in India.

India’s first bullet train is scheduled to be inaugurated on 15 August 2027, coinciding with Independence Day, marking a historic milestone in the country’s infrastructure development. The high-speed rail service will operate on the 508-km Mumbai–Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail Corridor, dramatically transforming intercity travel between western India’s major economic hubs.

The project is being implemented by the National High-Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL) with technical collaboration from Japan, using globally proven Shinkansen technology. Bullet trains on this corridor will run at speeds of up to 320 km/h, reducing travel time between Mumbai and Ahmedabad from the current 6–7 hours to about 2–3 hours.

The corridor will pass through Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Dadra & Nagar Haveli, and include 12 modern stations, such as Mumbai, Thane, Virar, Vapi, Surat, Vadodara, Anand, Ahmedabad, and Sabarmati. The rollout will take place in phases, with intermediate sections becoming operational before the full stretch is completed.

With an estimated cost of around ₹1 lakh crore, the bullet train project is expected to boost regional connectivity, economic activity, tourism, and trade, while introducing advanced rail technology and enhanced safety standards. Beyond faster travel, the project symbolizes India’s leap toward world-class transport infrastructure and a new era of modern, efficient, and sustainable mobility.

The second edition of the joint military exercise Desert Cyclone II between the Indian Army and the UAE Land Forces concluded successfully on 30 December 2025 at Al-Hamra Training City, Abu Dhabi, following nearly two weeks of intensive bilateral training held from 18–30 December 2025.

The exercise involved 45 personnel from the Indian Army’s Mechanised Infantry Regiment and troops from the 53 Mechanised Infantry Battalion of the UAE Land Forces. It was aimed at enhancing interoperability, strengthening defence cooperation, and reinforcing the shared commitment of both nations to regional peace, security, and stability.

Training focused on urban warfare and sub-conventional operations under a United Nations mandate, preparing both forces for peacekeeping, counter-terrorism, and stability operations. The programme combined classroom instruction with field exercises, covering urban combat basics, building marking and clearance, IED awareness, casualty evacuation, first aid, and detailed mission planning.

Practical drills included room intervention, building clearance techniques, heliborne operations, and air assault missions, culminating in integrated offensive and defensive urban operations. These activities demonstrated high levels of coordination, mutual trust, and combat readiness.

On 31 December 2025, the Union Cabinet approved two major highway infrastructure projects aimed at boosting connectivity and economic growth.

Six-Lane Nashik–Solapur–Akkalkot Greenfield Corridor (Maharashtra)

• Length: 374 km
• Capital Cost: ₹19,142 crore
• Will connect key cities like Nashik, Ahilyanagar, Solapur, and Kurnool.
• Part of PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan.
• Design speed: 100 km/h | Average speed: 60 km/h
• Expected to reduce travel time to around 17 hours and enable smooth passenger & freight movement.
• Will generate around 251.06 lakh man-days (direct) and 313.83 lakh man-days (indirect) employment.

Widening & strengthening of NH-326 in Odisha (2-lane with paved shoulders)

• Length: ~206 km
• Capital Cost: ₹1,526.21 crore
• Benefits Gajapati, Rayagada, Koraput districts.
• Will improve regional connectivity with Raipur–Visakhapatnam corridor, Gopalpur Port, and industrial zones.
• Expected to boost trade, tourism, education access, and socio-economic development in southern Odisha.

India successfully conducted a salvo launch of two ‘Pralay’ surface-to-surface missiles off the Odisha coast on 31 December 2025. The test, conducted by DRDO, was a part of user evaluation trials and was witnessed by officers from the Indian Air Force, Indian Army, and industry representatives, including development and production partners.

‘Pralay’ is an indigenously developed short-range ballistic missile (SRBM) with a strike range of 150–500 km. It uses solid propellant, supports multiple types of warheads, and features advanced guidance and navigation systems for high accuracy. Its quasi-ballistic capability enhances survivability against interception, making it a significant boost to India’s tactical strike capabilities.