1 India ranks 80th in the World’s Strongest Passport Index
The Henley Passport Index 2026 has once again highlighted the gap in global travel freedom. The index ranks passport holders based on the number of countries they can travel to without requiring a visa in advance. India’s global travel access has seen a slight improvement in 2026. The Henley Passport Index 2026 ranks India at 80th globally . Indian passport holders now enjoy visa-free, visa-on-arrival, or e-visa access to 55 destinations , an improvement from 85th place last year . The 2026 edition includes 277 countries and territories , including sovereign states, territorial areas, and special administrative regions. This comprehensive coverage allows for an accurate and comparative assessment of citizens’ global travel freedom. Singapore tops the list , with citizens able to enjoy visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 192 destinations . Japan and South Korea share second place , with access to 188 destinations. Europe tops the list with several countries offering access to over 185 destinations.
President Draupadi Murmu on Wednesday accepted the credentials of ambassadors from three countries at a ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhavan . According to Rashtrapati Bhavan, those who presented the credentials included High Commissioner of Trinidad and Tobago Chandradath Singh , Ambassador of Austria Dr. Robert Zischg and Ambassador of the United States Sergio Gor . With this ceremony, Sergio Gor formally became the 27th Ambassador of the United States to India.
3 NITI Aayog released Export Preparedness Index (EPI) 2024
NITI Aayog has released the Export Preparedness Index (EPI) 2024. This index provides a comprehensive assessment of the export preparedness and potential of all Indian states and union territories . The index recognizes that each state and union territory has a unique economic structure and plays a vital role in driving India’s global trade. The first edition of the EPI was released in August 2020, and this is its fourth edition. The index is aligned with India’s target of achieving $1 trillion in merchandise exports by 2030 and the vision of a developed India @ 2047. It provides an evidence-based framework to assess the strength, sustainability, and inclusiveness of the export ecosystems of states and districts. It identifies structural challenges, development opportunities, and policy measures to enhance export competitiveness at the state and district level.
4 Rajasthan’s first fully organic village: Bamanwas Kankad
Bamanwas Kankar Panchayat in Kotputli-Behror district , Rajasthan , has become the first fully organic-certified Panchayat not only in the state but also in northwest India . Bamanwas Kankar Panchayat has been declared the state’s first fully organic Gram Panchayat, with all seven hamlets/settlements under its jurisdiction practicing fully organic farming. This achievement reflects India’s growing efforts to promote chemical-free agriculture, environmental protection, and farmer-friendly farming. This strengthens rural livelihoods, promotes healthy food systems and long-term soil conservation. Being declared fully organic means that farmers here have completely abandoned chemical fertilizers, synthetic pesticides, and genetically modified (GM) inputs. Instead, they have adopted natural fertilizers, compost, crop rotation, green manure, and organic pest control methods.
The Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM) has launched the ” National Entrepreneurship Mission ” with the aim of increasing the income of rural women and promoting non-farm enterprises . Launched on January 12, 2026 , the mission is a significant step towards achieving the government’s goal of 3 crore Lakhpati Didis (self-help group members with an annual income of ₹1 lakh or more). Under the mission , 50,000 Community Resource Persons (CRPs) will be trained in enterprise promotion , and 50 lakh Self-Help Group (SHG) members will be trained under the Entrepreneurship Development Programme (EDP) . These CRPs will identify, establish, mentor, and provide ongoing support to enterprises at the village level.
6 Indian Oil’s joint venture achieves major success in Abu Dhabi, discovers oil reserves
Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri announced on Wednesday that Indian oil companies have achieved significant success in Abu Dhabi . They have discovered oil reserves in an onshore oil and gas field . This discovery was made by Urja Bharat Private Limited (UBPL) , a joint venture between Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) and Bharat PetroResources Limited (BPCL) , in which both have equal stakes. The Union Minister stated that light crude oil has been successfully discovered in the Shilaif and Habshan fields . This discovery is a major achievement for Indian Oil. The government will work to further explore the oil and gas potential in this region. India is also taking new steps to explore oil and gas domestically. Currently, oil and gas exploration is being conducted using modern technology in seven sedimentary fields across the country. An initiative called ” Mission Anveshan ” has been launched to explore oil and gas in India. This is the largest exploration program in India’s history . Under this, a survey is to be conducted across 20,000 kilometers , of which over 8,000 kilometers have been completed. Now, 1 million square kilometers of sea area has been opened for oil exploration, and 99 percent of the restricted areas have been removed.
7 Indian Navy sailing vessel INSV Koundinya arrives at Muscat
Indian Naval Ship Kaundinya – INSV has arrived at Sultan Qaboos Port, Muscat after completing her maiden voyage from Gujarat . INSV Kaundinya commenced her voyage from Porbandar, Gujarat on 29 December last year . This indigenously built vessel was flagged off by the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Naval Command in the presence of the Ambassador of Oman to India and senior naval officers. The vessel has been built using traditional techniques using natural materials and methods. Named after the renowned Indian navigator Kaundinya, the ship showcases India’s indigenous maritime knowledge, craftsmanship and sustainable shipbuilding practices.
In a significant legal observation, the Delhi High Court has held that the PM CARES Fund enjoys the right to privacy under the Right to Information (RTI) Act . The court clarified that merely performing a public function does not automatically absolve an entity of its privacy. This decision is significant in terms of the interpretation of transparency laws, third-party rights, and exceptions to the RTI Act. The decision was delivered by a bench comprising Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyay and Justice Tejas Karia . The court stated that an entity’s being public or performing a public function does not automatically absolve its right to privacy. Even if the PM CARES Fund is considered a “state,” it is a juristic person (legal entity) and cannot be deprived of its privacy rights merely on the basis of government control or supervision. The court cited Section 8(1)(j) of the RTI Act , which exempts disclosure of personal or third-party information unless a substantial public interest is established.
9 BHASHINI is connecting India’s linguistic diversity with AI
The national language AI platform, BHASHINI , has evolved from a rule-based system to an AI-powered language engine , providing language-related services to all citizens of the country. According to senior government officials, its aim is to strengthen overall social inclusion. The Digital India BHASHINI Division of the IT Ministry, in collaboration with Wadhwani AI , organized the ” BHASHINI Community: Strengthening India’s Language AI Ecosystem ” event. The objective of the event was to strengthen India’s language AI ecosystem and promote participation in public digital infrastructure. BHASHINI now offers sentence, dialogue, and conversation-level translation services in 22 scheduled languages of the country, as well as other local dialects and languages . BHASHINI has also launched the DOST initiative in collaboration with the Gates Foundation , which will integrate high-quality datasets into BHASHINI and AI Kosh .
Israel has announced its immediate withdrawal from seven United Nations (UN) agencies and affiliated bodies, taking a strong diplomatic step . The decision reflects Israel’s growing criticism of UN institutions and dissatisfaction with alleged political bias and bureaucratic inefficiency. The move comes at a time of growing global geopolitical uncertainty and a clear shift in Israel’s stance toward multilateral forums. The decision follows a comprehensive internal review conducted after the US withdrew from several international organizations. The review assessed whether engagement with various UN bodies serves Israel’s national interests. According to the Foreign Ministry, some agencies have repeatedly taken anti-Israel stances or failed to function neutrally and effectively.
11 Punjabi singer Kaka launches ‘Friendo’ app to strengthen women’s safety
Popular Punjabi singer Kaka has launched a new mobile application, “Friendo,” aimed at strengthening women’s safety in India . The app focuses on providing women and girls with quick assistance and digital safety tools in emergencies. This initiative reflects concern over rising crimes against women and underscores the role of technology and social responsibility in building a safer society. The app includes several emergency features. A dedicated SOS button allows users to send instant alerts to their trusted contacts. It supports live location sharing, allowing contacts or nearby users to track their location in real-time. In situations where hands-free access to the phone is impossible, the app also offers alternative triggers such as shake detection or voice commands.
In a major boost to sustainable and inclusive banking , Tripura Gramin Bank launched India ‘s first fully solar-powered mobile ATM van in January 2026. This innovative initiative, called ” TGB on Wheels ,” aims to provide seamless ATM and basic banking services in rural and remote areas, especially those with unstable or unavailable power supply. “TGB on Wheels” is a mobile ATM van that is completely solar-powered and does not rely on conventional electricity or diesel generators. It provides cash withdrawals and basic account-related services to rural and interior areas.
13 Finance Ministry launches ‘Purna Mediclaim AYUSH Bima’ for CGHS beneficiaries
The Union Ministry of Finance has launched a new optional health insurance scheme for CGHS (Central Government Health Scheme) beneficiaries. The scheme is called Paripoorna Mediclaim Ayush Bima . This policy complements existing CGHS facilities and provides better coverage and flexible premium options for hospitalization expenses . It aims to provide greater financial security to CGHS beneficiaries amid rising medical costs. The Ministry of Finance launched Paripoorna Mediclaim Ayush Bima on January 14, 2026. This is a new retail health insurance policy, specifically designed for CGHS beneficiaries, and offers insurance cover up to ₹20 lakh.
14 Andhra Pradesh approves Dagadarthi Greenfield Airport in Nellore
In a significant boost to Andhra Pradesh ‘s aviation and industrial infrastructure, the state Cabinet has approved the Dagadarthi Greenfield Airport in Nellore district . With this approval, Dagadarthi will become Andhra Pradesh’s eighth airport , strengthening the state’s vision of building a future-ready, multi-lane transport and industrial network. Dagadarthi Airport is strategically located, providing good connectivity to national highways, two major ports – Krishnapatnam Port and Ramayapatnam Port, and several industrial areas such as KRIS City and IFFCO SEZ.