06th January 2026

1. India’s AYUSH system gains recognition through bilateral agreements with Oman and New Zealand
2. Supreme Court of India signs an MoU with the Supreme Court of Bhutan to facilitate exchanges of young legal professionals
3. Tamilnad Mercantile Bank partners with Tech-Fini to strengthen UPI infrastructure
4. DRDO develops a portable water purification system, SWaDeS, for soldiers
5. Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually inaugurates the 72nd National Volleyball Tournament in Varanasi
6. National Siddha Day observed to highlight the Siddha system of medicine
7. World Day of War Orphans observed to raise awareness about children affected by war
8. Assam Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya inaugurates ‘Sanskaar Shaala’ for children
9. India introduces a new e-Business visa category for Chinese nationals
10. Piprahwa Buddha relics exposition inaugurated

National News

1. AYUSH recognised in bilateral trade agreements with Oman and New Zealand

• What:
  • India’s traditional medicine system AYUSH has received formal recognition in bilateral trade agreements with Oman and New Zealand.
  • The recognition strengthens India’s traditional medicine sector in international trade and health services.
• Tell me more:
  • The India–Oman Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement and the India–New Zealand Free Trade Agreement include dedicated annexures on health-related services and traditional medicine.
  • These agreements were finalised in December 2025.
  • Exports of AYUSH and herbal products increased by 6.11%, rising from USD 649.2 million in 2023-24 to USD 688.89 million in 2024-25.

Source: ET

State News

1. Piprahwa Buddha relics exposition inaugurated

• What:
  • The Prime Minister inaugurated the Grand International Exposition of Sacred Piprahwa Relics of Bhagwan Buddha in New Delhi, marking their return to India after over a century.
• Tell me more:
  • The exposition is titled as “The Light & the Lotus: Relics of the Awakened One”, at the Rani Pithora Cultural Complex.
  • The exposition displays the Piprahwa relics preserved at the National Museum, New Delhi, and the Indian Museum, Kolkata, brought together for public darshan.
  • The Piprahwa relics were discovered in 1898 by William Claxton Peppé, a British estate manager and archaeologist.

2. Sanskaar Shaala inaugurated in Guwahati

• What:
  • Assam Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya inaugurated Sanskaar Shaala, a value-based programme for children aged 4 to 14, at Lohia Lions Auditorium, Guwahati, to promote moral and cultural education.
• Tell me more:
  • The programme emphasises Indian values, social responsibility, family traditions, and teachings from ancient texts to shape responsible, ethical, and disciplined citizens in a modern, competitive world.
  • Sanskaar Shaala is supported by community organisations, with participation from Akhil Bharatiya Marwari Sammelan and regional Marwari bodies, aiming to preserve India’s cultural and moral heritage.

Source: ANI

Banking and Economy

1. TMB partners TechFini for UPI

• What:
  • Tamilnad Mercantile Bank partnered with TechFini to improve how UPI payments are accepted and processed, so digital payments become faster, safer, and can handle a larger number of transactions smoothly.
• Tell me more:
  • TechFini will act as Technology Service Provider for UPI infrastructure serving payment aggregators, non-banking financial companies, merchants, and fintech partners.
  • The partnership will expand UPI use in lending and collections through UPI Autopay for automated EMI and loan repayments.
  • TechFini’s cloud-native platform can process up to 10,000 transactions per second.

2. India introduces e-B-4 business visa

• What:
  • India introduced the e-Production Investment Business Visa (e-B-4) to allow Chinese businessmen to travel for specific production-linked business activities.
• Tell me more:
  • The visa can be applied online without visiting the embassy, is issued in about 45–50 days, and permits a stay of up to six months in India.
  • The e-B-4 Visa covers activities such as equipment installation, quality checks, training, production ramp-up, supply chain development, and senior management visits.

Source: ET

Science and Technology

1. DRDO develops portable desalination system

• What:
  • Defence Research and Development Organisation has developed a portable water desalination gadget to meet drinking water needs of soldiers deployed in remote and water-scarce areas.
• Tell me more:
  • The system, named Sea Water Desalination System (SWaDeS), can be operated manually or by engine and purifies saline water into drinking water.
  • It is suitable for naval operations, coastal areas, and inland saline regions like Pangong Tso in Ladakh.
  • The system was developed by Defence Laboratory, Jodhpur, based on requirements of the Tri-command services.

Source: TI

Important Days

1. 9th Siddha Day – January 6

• What:
  • The Ministry of Ayush will celebrate the 9th Siddha Day at Kalaivanar Arangam, Chennai with the theme “Siddha for Global Health”.
• Tell me more:
  • The day marks the birth anniversary of Sage Agathiyar (the father of Siddha medicine).
  • Siddha Day is observed annually on January 6 and is organised with support from National Institute of Siddha, Central Council for Research in Siddha, and Tamil Nadu government institutions.

Source: PIB

2. World Day for War Orphans – January 6

Source: UN

Sports

1. 72nd National Volleyball Tournament Begins

• What:
  • The Prime Minister inaugurated the 72nd National Volleyball Tournament at Dr Sampooranand Sports Stadium in Varanasi through video conferencing, highlighting national-level participation and the city’s role in hosting major sports events.
• Tell me more:
  • The tournament is held from January 4 to January 11, with over 1,000 players competing across 58 teams from states and institutions nationwide.
  • The event is being organised in Varanasi after 45 years and reflects recent expansion of sports infrastructure in Uttar Pradesh under ongoing sports development initiatives.

Source: HT ANI

Memorandum of Understanding

1. Supreme Court signs MoU with Bhutan

• What:
  • The Supreme Court signed a memorandum of understanding with Bhutan’s apex court to enable exchange of young legal professionals, strengthening judicial cooperation between the two countries.
• Tell me more:
  • Under the MoU, two law clerks from Bhutan will work at the Supreme Court for three months with the same honorarium as Indian clerks.
  • India committed cooperation in technology integration, capacity building, and knowledge exchange for Bhutan’s judiciary.
  • The Supreme Court has similar cooperation arrangements with Nepal and Sri Lanka.

Source: IE

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