Current Affairs - January 7, 2026 Current Affairs

Phase-II of the specialised cancer care training programme for BIMSTEC countries was launched at Visakhapatnam, reflecting India’s commitment to regional health cooperation. The programme is hosted at the Homi Bhabha Cancer Hospital and Research Centre and aims to strengthen cancer care capacities among participating nations. Health professionals from Bangladesh, Bhutan, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Nepal are being trained to address the growing cancer burden and disparities in access to treatment. Implemented by the Tata Memorial Centre with support from the Ministry of External Affairs, the initiative underscores India’s role in promoting healthcare collaboration across the BIMSTEC region.

The launch of the first dedicated Braille library represents a major advancement in inclusive education initiatives undertaken by Uttar Pradesh. The facility offers access to over 4,000 Braille books aligned with the National Education Policy and covers 54 undergraduate and postgraduate courses. Established at Dr Shakuntala Mishra National Rehabilitation University and inaugurated at a central library, the initiative aims to improve academic accessibility, independence, and equal learning opportunities. Through this effort, Uttar Pradesh demonstrates its commitment to empowering visually impaired students by strengthening educational infrastructure and promoting social inclusion.

The sighting of the Eastern Imperial Eagle highlights the ecological importance of Mudumalai Tiger Reserve in Tamil Nadu. This winter migratory raptor is a top predator that helps regulate rodent and small mammal populations, serving as an indicator of a healthy and balanced ecosystem. Classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, the presence of this species underscores the conservation value of the reserve. Mudumalai Tiger Reserve spans 321 square kilometres in the Nilgiris and forms part of the Western Ghats and the Nilgiris Biosphere Reserve, making it a crucial habitat for diverse flora and fauna.

The Global Research Foundation was launched to strengthen international collaboration in education, research, innovation, and entrepreneurship. IIT Madras is positioning itself as a globally networked academic hub with a long-term vision of becoming the world’s first multinational university. The initiative was inaugurated by the External Affairs Minister and reflects the institution’s expanding global footprint, including its overseas campus in Tanzania. Through this foundation, IIT Madras aims to foster cross-border research partnerships, attract global talent, and enhance India’s role in international higher education and innovation ecosystems.

Siddaramaiah achieved a major political milestone by becoming Karnataka’s longest-serving Chief Minister, completing nearly seven years and eight months in office across multiple tenures. By surpassing the record held by Devaraj Urs, his achievement stands out in a state known for coalition politics and frequent government changes. Siddaramaiah’s journey from grassroots politics to the state’s highest executive office reflects resilience, strong public support, and effective political navigation. His leadership is closely associated with social justice initiatives, particularly the AHINDA framework, and he has played significant roles as Chief Minister, Deputy Chief Minister, minister, and Leader of the Opposition.

The declaration of a waterborne disease outbreak as an epidemic reflects a serious public health emergency requiring immediate intervention. Indore took this step following reported fatalities in the Bhagirathpura area, prompting emergency containment and response measures. Special teams from both central and state agencies were deployed to identify the source of contamination, with experts from the National Centre for Disease Control and ICMR-NIRBI involved in the investigation. Authorities are examining whether pipeline leaks led to single or multiple contamination points, highlighting the importance of infrastructure safety and coordinated public health governance in urban areas.

The ₹293 crore contract for the Suryastra Rocket System marks a significant step in strengthening India’s indigenous defence manufacturing ecosystem. NIBE Limited, in collaboration with Israel, is responsible for delivering this advanced weapon system to the Indian Army. The Suryastra system is India’s first indigenously manufactured universal multi-calibre rocket launcher, capable of firing multiple rocket types from a single platform. With precision strike ranges of up to 300 km and the ability to deploy loitering munitions up to 100 km, NIBE Limited’s involvement highlights India’s growing emphasis on technological self-reliance and modern military capabilities.

The launch of India’s first hydrogen-powered train marks a significant milestone in the country’s transition toward clean and sustainable transportation. Haryana has been selected for this pilot project, which will operate on the Jind–Sonipat route under Indian Railways. The initiative uses green hydrogen produced through electrolysis and aims to reduce carbon emissions by offering an alternative to diesel-powered trains on non-electrified routes. With a dedicated hydrogen plant set up at Jind and strong coordination between state and railway authorities, Haryana is playing a key role in advancing India’s green mobility and climate commitments.

The Indian Army has created a new modern warfare force named Bhairav to strengthen its capabilities in technology-driven battlefields. Bhairav is designed as a drone-centric combat force with over one lakh trained drone operatives, making it one of the largest such units globally. Each soldier is trained in advanced drone operations, enabling real-time surveillance, precision strikes, and battlefield intelligence gathering. The Bhairav battalions are structured to carry out Special Forces–like missions, bridge the operational gap between Para Special Forces and regular infantry units, and enhance India’s readiness for future multi-domain warfare scenarios.

The successful flight test of the Taimoor air-launched cruise missile marks an important development in modern military capabilities. Pakistan conducted the test to strengthen its conventional deterrence and enhance defence self-reliance. The missile is designed to strike both land and sea targets with high precision while flying at low altitudes to evade air and missile defence systems. With a strike range of 600 km, the system significantly expands operational reach. This development highlights Pakistan’s focus on advancing indigenous weapon systems and reinforcing its air force’s strategic strike capabilities.

SEBI proposed a uniform 30-day lag on sharing and using stock price data to ensure investor education remains informative without turning into investment advice. The move addresses concerns that very recent data could be misused, while excessively old data reduces educational value. By standardising the time lag, SEBI aims to strike a balance between data protection and relevance of learning material. The proposal also helps clearly distinguish education from advisory or research activities, which require stricter regulatory compliance. As India’s securities market regulator, SEBI plays a crucial role in protecting investors, ensuring transparency, and maintaining fairness in capital markets.

The commissioning of the upgraded Type 052D guided-missile destroyer Loudi reflects China’s sustained focus on expanding and modernising its naval power. China has equipped the warship with advanced radar systems, enhanced weapons, and networked combat capabilities that strengthen air defence, maritime strike, and task-force command functions. This development is part of China’s rapid shipbuilding programme, which adds naval vessels at an exceptional pace. Through continuous modernisation and fleet expansion, China now operates the world’s largest navy by ship count, reinforcing its growing role in regional and global maritime security.