🏛️ Polity & Governance

🔷 India Post Changes International Mail Rules

From January 1, 2026, the Department of Posts (India Post) has discontinued certain outward international letter mail services.
This change aims to improve the tracking, security, and customs compliance of international mail.
The Ministry of Communications stated that this will help in making the postal system more reliable for global users.

💰 Economy & Banking

🔷 December GST Collections Hit ₹1.74 Lakh Crore

India's Gross Goods and Services Tax (GST) collection for December 2025 stood at ₹1,74,550 crore.
There is a 6.1% increase compared to the same month last year.
The growth is slightly lower than previous months because of GST rate cuts implemented in September 2025 (shifting to 5% and 18% slabs).
For the current financial year (April-December 2025), total collections have crossed ₹16.50 lakh crore.

🔬 Science & Technology

🔷 ISRO to Kick off 2026 with PSLV-C62 Mission

ISRO is planning its first mission of the year on January 10, 2026.
The PSLV-C62 rocket will carry the EOS-N1 Earth Observation Satellite.
This satellite is built by DRDO for strategic purposes (monitoring and security).
It will also carry 18 smaller satellites from countries like the USA, UAE, and Mauritius.

🪖 Defence & Security

🔷 Indian Army Declares 2026 as 'Year of Networking'

Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi has announced that 2026 will be the "Year of Networking and Data Centricity".
The focus will be on using modern technology and Artificial Intelligence (AI) for faster decision-making in war.
The Army is also continuing Operation Sindoor to ensure security at the borders.
On New Year's day, the Army Chief visited the Base Hospital in Delhi Cantt to meet veterans and soldiers.

🔷 China Tests 'Eagle Strike' Hypersonic Missile

China successfully test-fired the YJ-20 (Eagle Strike) hypersonic missile from a ship.
A "hypersonic" missile travels at a speed of more than Mach 5 (5 times the speed of sound).
This missile is designed to hit large ships and submarines with very high precision.

🌿 Environment & Ecology

🔷 IMD Reports Major Rainfall Deficit in December

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) stated that India received 68.9% less rainfall than normal in December 2025.
Central India was the most affected, with a 99% rainfall deficit.
The IMD warned that January 2026 might see more cold-wave days in North and Central India.
The lack of "Western Disturbances" (storms from the Mediterranean) is the main reason for this dry winter.

🌐 International Relations & Agreements

🔷 Kiribati: First Nation to Welcome 2026

The island nation of Kiribati in the Pacific Ocean became the first country in the world to celebrate the New Year.
It is the only country located in all four hemispheres (North, South, East, and West).
Exam Fact: It is located 14 hours ahead of Coordinated Universal Time (UTC+14).

🎭 Culture & Important Events

🔷 Sarna Tribals Perform Rituals in Ranchi

On the first day of the New Year, Sarna tribals in Jharkhand performed special prayers to Nature God.
They offered prayers near the 'Sal' tree at the ancient Sarna Temple in Ranchi.
Sarnaism is a religious faith followed by many tribal communities who worship nature elements like forests and mountains.

📌 January 1 General Knowledge

DRDO Foundation Day: The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) was established on January 1, 1958. Today marks its 68th Foundation Day.
Global Family Day: Celebrated every year on January 1st to promote peace and the idea of the world being one family (Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam).
Birth of Satyendra Nath Bose (1894): Today is the birth anniversary of the great Indian physicist famous for the "Bose-Einstein Statistics" and the "Higgs Boson" (God Particle) theory.
WTO Formation (1995): The World Trade Organization (WTO) officially began its operations on January 1, 1995, replacing the GATT (General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade).