1 India becomes the fifth country in the world to set up a solar cell calibration standardization facility
Science and Technology Minister Dr Jitendra Singh inaugurated the world ‘s second “National Environmental Standards Laboratory” and the world’s fifth “National Primary Standards Facility for Solar Cell Calibration (a process by which an instrument is adjusted so that it gives results within acceptable limits for a sample)” at CSIR-National Physical Laboratory ( NPL ) in New Delhi . Addressing the 80th Foundation Day celebrations of CSIR-NPL, Dr Singh said that India has become the fifth country in the world to set up a Solar Cell Calibration Standards Facility. Dr Singh also said that it will enable highly accurate measurements of various environmental parameters and will provide services not only to government agencies but also to the non-government sector and other countries.
The Indian Coast Guard inducted its first indigenously designed and built pollution control vessel, Samudra Pratap, into its fleet. Defense Minister Rajnath Singh launched the vessel in Goa. The vessel will serve as a vital platform for enforcement of marine pollution control regulations, maritime law enforcement, and security in search and rescue operations. It features over 70 percent indigenous content. The vessel also features a helicopter hangar to enhance operational capabilities. Built by Goa Shipyard Limited , the 114-meter-long vessel is designed for oil spill detection. It is equipped with advanced sweeping arms and dynamic positioning. It is the first of two pollution control vessels built by Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL) . Samudra Pratap is the country’s first indigenously designed pollution control vessel and the largest vessel in the Indian Coast Guard fleet to date.
3 Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan released the book ‘Khatabaat-e-Modi’ on the speeches of PM Modi from the year 2014 to 2025.
Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan released a book titled ” Khutbat-e-Modi: From the Red Fort to the Fasil ” in New Delhi . In a social media post, Mr. Pradhan stated that the book is a compilation of Prime Minister Modi’s Independence Day speeches from 2014 to 2025. He stated that these speeches prominently describe Prime Minister Modi’s working style, based on the principles of “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, and Sabka Prayas.” The book is a compilation of the Prime Minister’s speeches translated into Urdu and published by the National Council for the Promotion of Urdu Language .
4 Country’s largest integrated inland rainbow trout fish farm inaugurated in Telangana
Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh , accompanied by Coal and Mines Minister G Kishan Reddy , inaugurated the country’s largest integrated inland rainbow trout fish farm in Telangana’s Ranga Reddy district . A startup called SmartGreen Aquaculture developed the species using advanced technology. It will thrive in the hot climate of the Deccan Plateau. An estimated investment of Rs 50 crore has been made in the farm. Trout farming in India has typically been limited to the cold water areas of the high altitude Himalayas .
The Expert Committee of the Union Environment Ministry has recommended granting environmental clearance to the proposed Kalai-II Hydroelectric Project in Arunachal Pradesh . Environmentalists have expressed serious concern over this decision, as they say the project’s Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report did not take into account the presence of the critically endangered White-bellied Heron, found in the Lohit River basin . The Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) approved the proposed 1,200 MW Kalai-II project on the Lohit River. Environmentalists raised the issue that the EIA report does not mention the critically endangered White-bellied Heron, found in the project area. Environmentalists say the project area falls within the bird’s known habitat, including areas around the Namdapha Tiger Reserve and Kamlang Tiger Reserve.
6 Construction of 3D-printed automated weather stations begins in India
Indian scientists have achieved a major technological breakthrough by developing Automatic Weather Stations (AWS) using 3D-printing technology . These indigenous stations will strengthen last-mile weather data collection, especially in urban areas. The first installations will begin in Delhi from February 2026 , enhancing weather forecasting and climate monitoring capabilities. Scientists led by the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) have developed 3D-printed Automatic Weather Stations under Mission Mausam. The first phase will be installed in Delhi from February 2026. This is a completely indigenous and first-of-its-kind technological development. Being manufactured using 3D printing, it allows for rapid production and region-specific customization.
7 A Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the Delhi Government and the RBI
The Delhi government signed a memorandum of understanding with the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) . According to a statement from the Chief Minister’s Office, under this MoU, the RBI will act as the Delhi government’s banker, debt manager, and financial agent . The statement said the MoU will facilitate market borrowing through state development loans, automated investment of surplus cash, professional cash management, and access to low-cost liquidity facilities. The agreement is within the framework set by the central government and the RBI Act.
President of Mauritius Dharambir Gokhul visited the Sri Kanaka Durga Devi Temple at Indrakeeladri in Vijayawada . Later, President Gokhul visited the Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple at Mangalagiri in Guntur district.
9 Gas leak from ONGC’s Mori-5 well in Andhra Pradesh, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu reviews the situation
A gas leak has been reported from an operational ONGC oil well in Konaseema district , Andhra Pradesh . The leak originated from the Mori-5 well located in the Krishna-Godavari basin at Irasumanda village in Konaseema district . Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu reviewed the situation following the gas leak at the ONGC site.
A new study warns that ” brain- eating amoebas ” are emerging as a serious public health threat worldwide . Scientists say climate change, aging water pipeline systems, and a lack of water monitoring are causing these dangerous amoebas to spread rapidly in water and the environment. The study states that these amoebas are more dangerous than common germs because they can survive extreme heat, disinfectants like chlorine, and even inside water supply lines—where people generally consider the water safe. Amoebas are single-celled organisms found in soil and water . Most amoebas are harmless, but some species can cause serious and life-threatening infections . The most dangerous is Naegleria fowleri , known as the “brain-eating amoeba.” It enters the body when contaminated water is ingested through the nose, such as while swimming or bathing in a pond. This amoeba causes a deadly brain infection, often fatal.
11 Khelo India Beach Games to begin at Ghogla beach in Diu
The Khelo India Beach Games are starting at Ghogla beach in Diu . It is being organised by the Union Territories of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu . More than 2100 athletes will participate in eight sports. The games will be held from January 5 to January 10 under the supervision of the Sports Authority of India and the National Sports Federations . Beach football, volleyball, sepak takraw, kabaddi, pencak silat and open water swimming are the six medal sports, while mallakhamb and tug of war will be non-medal events.
12 Novak Djokovic’s big decision: The legendary player completely breaks away from his own PTPA.
Serbian tennis great Novak Djokovic said he has completely distanced himself from the Professional Tennis Players Association , the organization he founded. Djokovic says the organization has had persistent problems with transparency and governance. Djokovic and Canadian tennis player Vasek Pospisil founded the Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA) as a non-profit corporation to ensure players have a united, independent voice in shaping the future of professional tennis. In March 2025, the PTPA and several players filed legal action against the ATP, WTA, ITF, and other organizations, including the ITF, which the ATP and WTA dismissed. They were accused of numerous antitrust violations.
13 National Bird Day 2026
National Bird Day 2026 is celebrated on January 5th . This day draws attention to the vital role of birds in maintaining ecological balance. From pollination to pest control, birds support healthy ecosystems. It also reminds us that habitat destruction, climate change, and the illegal wildlife trade continue to pose serious threats to bird populations worldwide, making conservation efforts even more urgent. National Bird Day was established in 2002 by the Avian Welfare Coalition. It is associated with the historic Christmas Bird Count in the United States, one of the oldest wildlife surveys in the world. The Indian Peacock (Peacock), scientifically known as Pavo cristatus, is the national bird of India. It was declared the national bird in 1963 due to its cultural, religious, and ecological significance.