1 India commits to achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2070
India has reiterated its commitment to achieve 500 GW of non-fossil fuel-based power capacity by 2030 and net-zero carbon emissions by 2070. Speaking at the 16th meeting of the International Renewable Energy Agency in Abu Dhabi, Minister of New and Renewable Energy Pralhad Joshi said that India’s approach to energy transition is inspired by the principle of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam – “One Earth, One Family, One Future.” Mr. Joshi said that India has achieved the target of 50 percent of its installed power capacity from non-fossil fuel sources by 2025, five years ahead of its Nationally Determined Contribution target under the Paris Agreement. He said that India’s renewable energy capacity has exceeded 266 GW.
Electronics and Information Technology Minister Ashwini Vaishnav will participate in the G-7 Critical Minerals Ministerial Meeting in Washington, USA . The meeting aims to secure global supply chains for strategic resources. Mr. Vaishnav said in a social media post that secure supply chains for critical minerals are essential to realize the vision of a developed India. The G-7 comprises the US, UK, Japan, France, Germany, Italy and Canada along with the European Union . Critical minerals such as lithium, cobalt, graphite and copper and rare earth elements are essential for defense systems, semiconductors, renewable energy technologies, electric vehicle batteries and advanced manufacturing.
A heartwarming and socially significant event took place in Visakhapatnam , Andhra Pradesh , when a book on the life of President Draupadi Murmu was released at Andhra University by Lakshmamma, a street sweeper . The book release itself was not a simple event, but carried a powerful message of equality, dignity of labor, and inclusiveness. The book is titled ” Agni Sarassulo Vikasinchina Kamalam Draupadi Murmu .” The author is Yarlagadda Lakshmi Prasad , a former Member of Parliament and currently the President of the Vishwa Hindi Parishad.
4 Paperless court launched in Wayanad, Kerala
Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant virtually inaugurated the country’s first completely paperless district court at Kalpetta in Wayanad district, Kerala, on January 6, 2026. This historic achievement marks the complete digital transformation of the district judiciary, where all judicial proceedings, from filing of a case to final judgment, will now be conducted entirely electronically. All these processes will be conducted through the District Court Case Management System (DCCMS) , indigenously developed by the Kerala High Court . This will reduce geographical barriers, reduce legal costs, and increase transparency—especially for ordinary citizens and MSMEs (small and medium enterprises).
5 A.K. Balasubramanian appointed AERB chairman for 2026
The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi appointed eminent scientist A.K. Balasubramanian as Chairman of the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) in January 2026. He has been appointed for a three-year term as India’s apex nuclear safety regulator. He succeeds Dr. D.K. Shukla, whose term ended on December 31, 2025. This significant appointment brings to the leadership of the AERB a senior nuclear scientist with nearly four decades of extensive experience in the design, development, safety, and commissioning of nuclear power plants. This continues to strengthen India’s commitment to world-class nuclear safety standards and regulatory excellence.
India is rapidly moving towards clean energy, and the Kamala Hydroelectric Project in Arunachal Pradesh is a significant step in this direction. Recently approved by the Public Investment Board, this large hydroelectric project will not only support renewable power generation but also contribute to flood control, job creation, and India’s goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2070. The Kamala Hydroelectric Project, formerly known as the Subansiri Middle Hydroelectric Project , is located on the Kamala River in Arunachal Pradesh. The project is being developed in the Kamle, Kra Daadi, and Kurung Kumey districts. It is a storage-based hydroelectric project that includes an integrated flood moderation system. The project is expected to generate approximately 6,870 million units of electricity annually, strengthening the regional and national power grids.
7 Gujarat CM launches ‘Asha Van’ mobile unit for early detection of cancer
Gujarat has taken a significant step towards strengthening preventive healthcare services by launching a mobile cancer screening unit called the ” Asha Van .” Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel inaugurated this specialized medical van in Gandhinagar. The van is specifically designed to provide healthcare services to villages and remote areas, where access to advanced medical facilities is limited. Its primary objective is to detect cancer at an early stage, enabling timely treatment and saving lives. Early diagnosis is crucial in the fight against cancer. With the “Asha Van,” people no longer have to travel long distances to cities for basic screenings—services will be delivered directly to their doorsteps.
India has launched Mission Sudarshan Chakra to counter emerging aerial threats, particularly hostile drones . It is an ambitious national program aimed at developing a comprehensive, multi-layered air defense shield for the country. This initiative represents a significant shift in India’s defense strategy, given the growing role of unmanned aerial systems (UAVs) in modern warfare and the increasing drone threats along the sensitive border with Pakistan . The program is targeted for completion by 2035 and will complement existing systems such as the Integrated Air Command and Control System (IACCS) . The initiative focuses on layered defense—combining short-range and point-defense solutions with long-range interception systems. This represents India’s transition from a platform-centric approach to a network-centric and threat-specific air defense strategy.
9 Indian Navy’s First Training Squadron departs for South East Asia
The Indian Navy ‘s First Training Squadron (1TS) is embarking on a Long Range Training Deployment (LRTD) to Southeast Asia . The ships involved are INS Tir, INS Shardul, INS Sujata, and ICGS Sarathi . This deployment is part of the training curriculum of the 110th Integrated Officers Training Course (IOTC). This deployment will see several naval ships operating in foreign waters while traversing long distances, reflecting India’s growing naval capabilities and strategic engagement in the Indo-Pacific region.
10 Tamil Nadu launches India’s first deeptech startup policy
In a major boost to India’s innovation ecosystem, Tamil Nadu has unveiled the country’s first dedicated DeepTech Startup Policy , setting a national standard for science-based entrepreneurship. The Tamil Nadu DeepTech Startup Policy 2025–26 aims to transform cutting-edge research into commercial and scalable solutions, positioning the state as a leading hub for frontier and deep science technologies. The policy lays out a clear strategy for taking innovation from laboratories to global markets. Under this initiative, 100 DeepTech startups will be supported with a corpus of ₹1 billion (₹1 billion) . The policy focuses on long-term, science-based innovations and includes structured support across funding, infrastructure, mentorship, and industry partnerships.
Keyi Panyor, a newly formed district in Arunachal Pradesh , is set to become India’s first “Bio-Happy District.” This initiative is an innovative effort to integrate biodiversity conservation and human well-being, demonstrating India’s commitment to sustainable development. The project revives the concept of ” Bio-Happiness, ” propounded by renowned agricultural scientist M.S. Swaminathan, and promotes a development model based on the integration of ecology, livelihoods, and public health. Bio-Happiness refers to the state of human well-being achieved when nutrition, public health, income, and livelihoods are strengthened through the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity. This concept is based on the harmony between people and nature, where conservation is considered the foundation of development, not a hindrance.
12 Bengaluru named best city for women in 2025
Bengaluru and Chennai have emerged as the best cities in the country in terms of women’s safety . This has been revealed in a report by workplace culture consulting firm Avatar Group . The fourth edition of ‘ Top Cities for Women in India’ (TCWI) revealed that women from 125 cities participated in this report. Information was collected from these women regarding safety and career growth. On this basis, Bengaluru has secured the first position with a score of 53.29.
13 Skydo receives PA‑CB license from RBI
In a significant regulatory milestone for India’s fintech ecosystem, Skydo has received final approval from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to operate as a Payment Aggregator-Cross Border (PA-CB) . This approval is significant as it will enable the Bengaluru -based platform to expand regular, secure, and fast cross-border payment services to Indian exporters. This initiative will help make international payment collection simpler, compliance-friendly, and more efficient, particularly for MSMEs (Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises) and small businesses.
14 National Boxing Championship: Lovlina Borgohain, Nikhat Zareen and Meenakshi Hooda won their title bouts
Lovlina Borgohain won the women’s 75 kg weight category at the National Boxing Championships 2026 in Noida . Nikhat Zareen won the title in the 52 kg category. World champion Meenakshi Hooda defeated Manju Rani to win the 48 kg category, while Olympian Pooja Rani defeated Naina in the 80 kg final. In the men’s category, Jadumani Singh won the 55 kg title by defeating Pawan Bartwal in the final .