Current Affairs - January 2, 2026 Current Affairs

Air Marshal Nagesh Kapoor took over as the Vice Chief of the Air Staff of the Indian Air Force, bringing with him extensive operational, command, and administrative experience. A seasoned fighter pilot with over 3,400 flying hours, Air Marshal Nagesh Kapoor has flown frontline aircraft such as the MiG-21 and MiG-29 and contributed significantly to the induction of PC-7 Mk II trainer aircraft. An alumnus of NDA, DSSC, and NDC, he has held several key command and staff appointments and has been honoured with prestigious decorations including PVSM, AVSM, VM, and SYSM for distinguished service.

Peru has taken a landmark step in environmental conservation by granting legal rights to Amazonian stingless bees through local ordinances passed in two municipalities. This decision recognises the ecological and cultural importance of these ancient pollinators, which play a crucial role in maintaining rainforest biodiversity and supporting key crops. By legally protecting their right to exist, survive, and thrive in a healthy environment, Peru has extended the concept of rights of nature to insects for the first time globally. The move also reflects growing awareness of indigenous knowledge and the urgent need to address threats such as deforestation and climate change.

Assam has taken a pioneering step in government pay reforms by becoming the first state in India to set up its 8th State Pay Commission before the conclusion of the 7th Pay Commission’s term on January 1, 2026. This early constitution reflects the state government’s intent to expedite the process of revising salaries, allowances, and pensions for its employees and pensioners. The decision provides early clarity and potential financial planning benefits to beneficiaries. By moving ahead of other states, Assam has positioned itself at the forefront of administrative reforms related to public sector compensation.

Air Marshal Tejinder Singh took over as the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the South Western Air Command, bringing with him extensive operational and leadership experience. Air Marshal Tejinder Singh is a highly seasoned fighter pilot with more than 4,500 flying hours and holds the distinction of being a Category ‘A’ Qualified Flying Instructor. His career spans command of fighter squadrons, radar stations, and major air bases, along with serving as AOC Jammu & Kashmir. An alumnus of NDA, DSSC, and NDC, he has also held key appointments at Air Headquarters, HQ IDS, and earlier led the Training Command.

The government has announced a significant change in the taxation framework for sin goods such as tobacco and pan masala by introducing additional levies beyond GST. These include an additional excise duty on tobacco products and a Health and National Security Cess on pan masala. The new tax structure replaces the earlier compensation cess and follows parliamentary approval of relevant legislation. These measures are intended to discourage consumption due to health concerns while also enhancing government revenue. The notified implementation date for these changes is February 1, from which the revised taxation mechanism comes into effect.

The initiative aims to modernise land governance by introducing advanced digital solutions under the Digital India Land Record Modernisation Programme. A key component of this effort is the launch of a GIS-based, single-window platform that integrates land and property information into one accessible system. This platform is designed to enhance transparency, reduce complexities in land records, and provide citizens with easier access to reliable data. Land Stack serves as the technological backbone of this reform, initially piloted in Chandigarh and Tamil Nadu, supporting more efficient administration and improving trust in land and revenue management systems.

The initiative to verify informal micro enterprises on the Udyam Assist Platform is a collaborative effort between the Department of Posts and SIDBI. In this arrangement, India Post is responsible for conducting nationwide, geo-tagged Contact Point Verification through its extensive field network. The responsibility for providing the technological backbone lies with SIDBI, which supplies the CPV mobile application, supporting systems, and necessary training. This ensures accurate data collection and helps verified enterprises gain smoother access to institutional credit, aligning with SIDBI’s role in promoting MSME development.

Gujarat has taken a proactive step to strengthen cyber security in its energy sector by forming dedicated institutional mechanisms. The state government constituted an 11-member Core Committee and a 19-member Task Force to safeguard critical energy infrastructure such as smart grids, SCADA systems, and power supply networks. With increasing digitalisation of power systems and the need for uninterrupted 24×7 electricity, cyber risks have become a major concern. The initiative focuses on policy review, preparedness assessment, cyber drills, training programmes, and long-term capacity building to ensure resilience against cyber threats targeting vital power infrastructure.

Air Marshal S. Shrinivas took over as the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Indian Air Force Training Command, marking a significant leadership transition in one of the IAF’s most crucial commands. A Category ‘A’ Qualified Flying Instructor, Air Marshal S. Shrinivas brings extensive aviation experience with more than 4,200 flying hours across fighter, trainer, and helicopter platforms. An alumnus of prestigious institutions such as NDA, DSSC, and NDC, he has commanded important training and operational establishments. Prior to this appointment, he served as Senior Air Staff Officer at Headquarters South Western Air Command, strengthening his credentials for this key role.

The nationwide rollout of Voice over WiFi services marks an important step in improving telecom connectivity, especially in rural and remote regions. This service allows users to make voice calls and send messages over Wi-Fi using their existing mobile numbers, without any additional charges. The IMS-based technology ensures seamless handover between Wi-Fi and mobile networks, maintaining call continuity even in areas with poor cellular coverage. BSNL implemented this initiative as part of its broader network modernisation programme, aiming to enhance service reliability and extend digital communication access across all telecom circles in the country.