🏛️ Polity & Governance

🔷 Sadanand Date Appointed as New DGP of Maharashtra

Senior IPS officer Sadanand Vasant Date (1990 batch) has been appointed as the new Director General of Police (DGP) of Maharashtra.
He will take charge on January 3, 2026, succeeding Rashmi Shukla, who is retiring.
Mr. Date is a decorated officer known for his bravery during the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks.
He has been given a fixed tenure of two years to lead the state's police force.

💰 Economy & Banking

🔷 December GST Collections Reach ₹1.75 Lakh Crore

India’s gross Goods and Services Tax (GST) collections for December 2025 stood at ₹1.75 lakh crore, marking a 6.1% growth compared to last year.
For the current fiscal year (April–December 2025), total collections have reached ₹16.5 lakh crore.
This growth is attributed to the recent GST rate rationalization (shifting from 4 slabs to 2 main rates of 5% and 18%).
Among major states, Haryana (16%) and Maharashtra (15%) recorded the highest growth in revenues.

🔷 India Becomes World’s 4th Largest Economy

As per the latest government report released on January 1, India has surpassed Japan to become the world's 4th largest economy.
India’s GDP currently stands at USD 4.18 trillion.
India remains the world's fastest-growing major economy, with a real GDP growth of 8.2% in the second quarter of 2025–26.
India is projected to overtake Germany to become the 3rd largest economy by 2030.

🔬 Science & Technology

🔷 Gujarat to Host India’s First National AI Research Institute

The Gujarat Government has approved the setting up of the Indian Artificial Intelligence Research Organization (IAIRO) at GIFT City, Gandhinagar.
Gujarat has become the first state in India to establish a national-level AI research institution under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model.
The institute began its operations on January 1, 2026, as a non-profit organization.

🔷 BSNL Launches Nationwide VoWiFi Services

State-run telecom operator BSNL has launched Voice over WiFi (VoWiFi) services across all its circles in India.
This service allows users to make and receive calls using a WiFi connection in areas with poor cellular network (like basements or remote buildings).
BSNL becomes the first operator to provide this service on such a large scale across rural and urban India simultaneously.

🪖 Defence & Security

🔷 DRDO Conducts Salvo Launch of Pralay Missiles

The DRDO successfully conducted a salvo launch (firing two missiles in short succession) of the Pralay missile off the coast of Odisha.
Pralay is an indigenous quasi-ballistic surface-to-surface missile developed for the Indian Army and Air Force.
The test met all objectives, proving the missile's ability to destroy high-value enemy targets with precision.

🔷 New Appointments in Indian Air Force (IAF)

Air Marshal Nagesh Kapoor has taken over as the Vice Chief of the Air Staff of the IAF.
Air Marshal Tejinder Singh assumed charge as the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief (AOC-in-C) of the South Western Air Command.

📢 PIB / Government Reports & Schemes

🔷 President Launches ‘#SkillTheNation AI Challenge’

President Droupadi Murmu launched the #SkillTheNation AI Challenge to encourage students and professionals to learn Artificial Intelligence.
She also virtually inaugurated an IGNOU Regional Centre and a Skill Centre at Rairangpur, Odisha.
The initiative aims to create an inclusive and future-ready AI ecosystem in India.

🏅 Sports

🔷 India Wins Both Titles at Kho Kho World Cup

The Indian Men’s and Women’s teams have emerged champions at the first-ever Kho Kho World Cup.
This victory cements India's dominance in indigenous sports on the global stage.
The tournament saw participation from over 20 countries, marking a huge step for Kho Kho's entry into the Asian and Olympic Games.

👤 Personalities

🔷 Tarun Garg Appointed MD & CEO of Hyundai Motor India

Tarun Garg has taken over as the Managing Director and CEO of Hyundai Motor India on January 1, 2026.
He is the first Indian national to lead the company since it entered the Indian market 30 years ago.

📌 January 2 General Knowledge

Institution of Bharat Ratna (1954): India's highest civilian award, the Bharat Ratna, and the Padma Vibhushan were officially established on this day in 1954 by the President of India.
Mannattu Padmanabhan Birth Anniversary: Today is the birth anniversary of the great social reformer from Kerala (born 1878) who founded the Nair Service Society (NSS).
Jainendra Kumar Birth Anniversary: Born on this day in 1905, he was a famous Hindi novelist and recipient of the Sahitya Akademi Award, known for his psychological writing style.
Recapture of Calcutta (1757): On this day, Robert Clive led British forces to recapture Calcutta (now Kolkata) from the Nawab of Bengal, Siraj-ud-Daulah.
World Introvert Day: Observed globally on January 2nd to highlight the contributions and mental well-being of introverted people.