🏛️ Polity & Governance

🔷 Justice MS Sonak Appointed as Chief Justice of Jharkhand HC

President Droupadi Murmu has approved the appointment of Justice Mahesh Sharadchandra Sonak as the new Chief Justice of the Jharkhand High Court.
He is currently a judge at the Bombay High Court and will take charge on January 8, 2026.
The appointment was made under Article 217(1) of the Constitution, following the retirement of the previous Chief Justice.

🔷 MeitY Approves ₹41,863 Crore for Electronics Manufacturing

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has approved 22 new proposals under the Electronics Components Manufacturing Scheme (ECMS).
The total value of these projects is ₹41,863 crores, aimed at making India a global hub for hardware.
This is part of the third phase of the scheme to reduce dependency on imported electronic components.

💰 Economy & Banking

🔷 India Surpasses Japan to Become World’s 4th Largest Economy

According to the latest government data, India’s GDP has reached $4.18 trillion, officially overtaking Japan.
India is now the world's 4th largest economy, with the USA, China, and Germany in the top three positions.
The Indian economy grew at a steady 8.2% in the second quarter of the current fiscal year (2025-26).

🔷 GST Collections for December Reach ₹1.75 Lakh Crore

The gross GST collection for December 2025 stood at ₹1.75 lakh crore, showing a growth of 6.1% year-on-year.
This marks a strong recovery in domestic consumption and improved tax compliance across states.
Total collections for the fiscal year 2025-26 have now crossed the ₹16.5 lakh crore mark.

🔬 Science & Technology

🔷 Gujarat Opens India's 1st National AI Research Institution

The Gujarat government has established the Indian Artificial Intelligence Research Organization (IAIRO) at GIFT City, Gandhinagar.
This is India's first state-led national-level AI research center, built under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model.
It will focus on AI applications in healthcare, agriculture, and smart city governance.

🪖 Defence & Security

🔷 Indian Army Declares 2026 as ‘Year of Networking & Data Centricity’

Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi has officially declared the year 2026 as the "Year of Networking & Data Centricity".
The goal is to integrate advanced digital systems, high-speed data networks, and Artificial Intelligence into battlefield operations.
This initiative aims to ensure real-time decision-making and better connectivity for soldiers on the front lines.

🔷 DRDO Conducts Salvo Launch of 'Pralay' Missiles

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully launched two Pralay missiles in a "salvo" (back-to-back) trial off the Odisha coast.
Pralay is an indigenous solid-propellant quasi-ballistic missile with a range of 150-500 km.
This test confirms the missile's ability to hit high-precision targets and its readiness for the Indian Air Force and Army.

🌿 Environment & Ecology

🔷 Ultra-Rare 'Sandalwood Leopard' Spotted in Karnataka

For only the second time in India, an ultra-rare color morph of a leopard, called the "Sandalwood Leopard", has been sighted in Karnataka.
Unlike regular leopards with black rosettes, this leopard has a distinct pale, brownish coat resembling sandalwood.
Wildlife experts say such sightings are extremely rare and indicate a unique genetic variation in the region.

🌐 International Relations & Agreements

🔷 World Braille Day Observed Globally on January 4

World Braille Day was observed yesterday to honor the birth anniversary of Louis Braille, the inventor of the reading system for the blind.
In India, the National Federation of the Blind launched the "More Braille More Empowerment" campaign in New Delhi.
The day emphasizes the right of visually impaired people to access information and education.

📢 PIB / Government Reports & Schemes

🔷 Launch of ‘SOAR’ Programme for AI Readiness

The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship has launched the Skilling for AI Readiness (SOAR) Programme.
The government has allocated ₹500 crore to set up a Centre of Excellence in AI for education.
The scheme aims to train school students and teachers in Artificial Intelligence to prepare them for future digital careers.

🏅 Sports

🔷 Canada Defeats China 3-0 in United Cup Tennis

Canada started the 2026 tennis season with a dominant 3-0 win over China in the United Cup held in Sydney.
World No. 5 Felix Auger-Aliassime and 19-year-old Victoria Mboko led the Canadian team to victory.
This victory marks a strong start for Canada in the mixed-team international tournament.

📌 January 5, 2026 General Knowledge

Birth of Shah Jahan (1592): The 5th Mughal Emperor and builder of the Taj Mahal, Shah Jahan, was born on this day in Lahore.
Indian Cryogenic Engine Success (2014): India successfully launched the GSAT-14 satellite using a GSLV-D5 rocket, marking the first successful flight of an indigenously developed cryogenic engine.
First ODI Cricket Match (1971): The world’s first-ever One Day International (ODI) cricket match was played on this day between Australia and England at Melbourne.
Birth of Paramahansa Yogananda (1893): The great spiritual teacher and author of "Autobiography of a Yogi" was born today in Gorakhpur.
Capture of Salher Fort (1671): Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj successfully captured the strategic Salher Fort from the Mughals on this day.