🏛️ Polity & Governance

🔷 Goa Announces Its 3rd District: 'Kushavati'

The Goa government has decided to create a third district named Kushavati, named after the ancient Kushavati River.
The new district will include talukas like Sanguem, Dharbandora, Quepem, and Canacona.
The headquarters of Kushavati district will be located at Quepem.
This move aims to improve administration and governance in the southern parts of the state.

🔷 Assam Becomes 1st State to Constitute 8th Pay Commission

Assam has become the first state in India to set up its 8th State Pay Commission.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced that former Chief Secretary Subhas Das will head this commission.
This commission will review and revise the salaries and pensions of state government employees before the current term ends.

🔷 New Chief Justices Appointed for Three High Courts

The Central Government approved the appointment of Justice MS Sonak as the Chief Justice of the Jharkhand High Court.
Justice Revati Prashant Mohite Dere has been appointed as the Chief Justice of the Meghalaya High Court.
Justice Sangam Kumar Sahoo has been elevated as the Chief Justice of the Patna High Court.

💰 Economy & Banking

🔷 New Tobacco Tax Regime to Start from February 1

The Ministry of Finance notified that a new taxation regime for tobacco products will begin on February 1, 2026.
The Central Excise (Amendment) Act, 2025 will bring new excise duty rates for cigarettes and other tobacco items.
A new cess will also be levied on the manufacture of Pan Masala under the Health Security Act.

🔷 RBI Relaxes Risk Weights for Infrastructure Financing

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has relaxed capital requirement norms (risk weights) for NBFCs providing infrastructure loans.
This relaxation will allow NBFCs to lend more money to large projects like roads, bridges, and power plants.
The new rules will officially come into effect from April 1, 2026.

🔬 Science & Technology

🔷 Ministry of S&T Launches 'PathGennie' Software

The Ministry of Science and Technology has developed a new open-source software called PathGennie.
This software helps scientists simulate how drug molecules interact with the human body without using complex external forces.
It is expected to speed up the process of drug discovery and medical research in India.

🪖 Defence & Security

🔷 Air Marshal Nagesh Kapoor Takes Over as Vice Chief of Air Staff

Air Marshal Nagesh Kapoor officially assumed charge as the Vice Chief of the Air Staff (VCAS) on January 1, 2026.
He has over 3,400 hours of flying experience on fighter jets like MiG-21 and MiG-29.
He was previously awarded the Sarvottam Yudh Seva Medal for his leadership during Operation Sindoor.

🔷 Mod signs ₹4,666 Crore Contract for Carbines and Torpedoes

The Ministry of Defence signed major contracts to acquire Close Quarter Battle (CQB) Carbines for the Army and Navy.
These carbines are designed by DRDO and will be manufactured by Bharat Forge Ltd, Pune.
The deal also includes Heavyweight Torpedoes for the Indian Navy to strengthen underwater combat power.

🌿 Environment & Ecology

🔷 Rare Bird 'Sirkeer Malkoha' Spotted in Uttarkashi

A rare bird species called Sirkeer Malkoha (Sirkeer Cuckoo) has been recorded for the first time in the Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand.
Usually, this bird is found in the plains; its presence in the high-altitude hilly region is a significant ecological find.
The bird is classified as 'Least Concern' on the IUCN Red List.

🌐 International Relations & Agreements

🔷 Bulgaria Becomes 21st Member of Eurozone

Bulgaria has officially joined the Eurozone, becoming the 21st country to adopt the Euro (€) as its official currency.
This move marks a major step in Bulgaria's integration with the European economy.

🏅 Sports

🔷 Amieyra Khoslla Wins Gold in National Sport Climbing

14-year-old Amieyra Khoslla won the Gold Medal in the Youth Girls (U-17) category at the 29th National Sport Climbing Championship in Bengaluru.
She competed in the bouldering discipline and achieved a perfect score in the qualification round.

👤 Personalities

🔷 Savitribai Phule Birth Anniversary (January 3)

Today marks the 195th birth anniversary of Savitribai Phule (born 1831).
She is recognized as India’s first female teacher and a pioneer of women’s education.
Along with her husband Jyotirao Phule, she opened the first school for girls at Bhide Wada, Pune in 1848.

📌 January 3, 2026 General Knowledge

Savitribai Phule Jayanti: Celebrated as Mahila Shikshan Din (Women's Education Day) to honor India’s first woman teacher who fought against caste and gender discrimination.
Indian Science Congress (1914): The very first session of the Indian Science Congress was held on this day in 1914 at the Asiatic Society, Calcutta (Kolkata).
Birth of Rani Velu Nachiyar (1730): The birth anniversary of the queen of Sivaganga estate, who was the first Indian queen to wage war against the British East India Company.
First 3D Movie (1952): India's first 3D film, My Dear Kuttichathan (later dubbed in Hindi as Chhota Chetan), has historical links to early cinema milestones discussed on this day in film history.
International Mind-Body Wellness Day: Observed annually on January 3rd to promote self-care and the connection between mental and physical health.