08th January 2026

1. Union Minister of State Dr. Jitendra Singh inaugurates two advanced laboratories at CSIR–National Physical Laboratory in New Delhi
2. Indian Army sets up a modern warfare force named ‘Bhairav’, comprising over one lakh drone operatives
3. Indian Army signs a ₹293 crore contract with NIBE Limited for the Suryastra Rocket Launch System
4. ONGC signs an MoU with the Ministry of Tribal Affairs to support tribal students of Eklavya Model Residential Schools
5. Indian Air Force marks 25 years since the first flight of the Tejas Light Combat Aircraft
6. Ministry of Information and Broadcasting establishes the Live Entertainment Development Council (LEDC) to strengthen India’s concert and live events economy
7. FSS becomes the first payments company across India, the Middle East, APAC, and South Asia to receive ISO/IEC 42001 certification
8. IDFC FIRST Bank launches the Zero-Forex Diamond Reserve Credit Card
9. HSBC Private Bank appoints Ida Liu as its Chief Executive Officer
10. Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant releases a new edition of the book ‘History That India Ignored’

National News

1. Global-standard labs inaugurated at CSIR–NPL

• What
  • Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh inaugurated the world’s second National Environmental Standard Laboratory and the world’s fifth National Primary Standard Facility for Solar Cell Calibration at CSIR–National Physical Laboratory.
  • CSIR–NPL marked its 80th Foundation Day during the event.
• Tell me more
  • The National Environmental Standard Laboratory checks and sets air pollution measuring instruments according to Indian weather conditions, so the data used by regulators, industries, startups, and the National Clean Air Programme is correct and reliable.
  • The National Primary Standard Facility for Solar Cell Calibration allows solar cells made in India to be tested and certified within the country using global standards, ensuring reliable power output, reducing dependence on foreign laboratories, saving time and foreign exchange, and supporting faster growth of the solar sector.
    • The facility was developed in collaboration with PTB, Germany.
  • Fourteen Phytochemical Bharatiya Nirdeshak Dravya, two Gas Bharatiya Nirdeshak Dravya, and one Silica Fume Bharatiya Nirdeshak Dravya were released.
  • Several memorandums of understanding and technology transfer agreements were signed to support startups, MSMEs, and manufacturing.

2. Live Events Development Cell set up

• What
  • The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting set up the Live Events Development Cell to support organised growth of India’s live entertainment sector.
• Tell me more
  • Constituted in July 2025 under Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, the Live Events Development Cell works as a single-window mechanism to simplify live event processes and strengthen the concert economy to position India as a global live entertainment destination by 2030.
  • The organised live events market was valued at ₹20,861 crore in 2024, is growing at 15%, and is expected to maintain a compound annual growth rate of 18%.
  • Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities are emerging as important growth centres for live events.
  • A Joint Working Group with private stakeholders, including District by Zomato, was formed to address infrastructure and business issues.

Source: ET

Banking and Economy

1. FSS achieves ISO IEC 42001

• What
  • Financial Software and Systems became the first payments company in India, the Middle East, APAC, and South Africa to receive ISO IEC 42001 Certification Lead status.
• Tell me more
  • The certification was independently assessed by TUV SUD, a globally recognised certification and assurance body.
  • ISO IEC 42001 is a global standard assessing that artificial intelligence is no longer used casually, but is managed through clear rules, responsibilities, and checks across the entire organisation.
  • Certification Lead status means the organisation has the systems and expertise to apply these artificial intelligence rules across all departments and operations.

2. IDFC FIRST Bank launches premium card

• IDFC FIRST Bank launched the Zero-Forex Diamond Reserve Credit Card for affluent global travellers seeking international spending benefits.

Source: BS

Defence News

1. Indian Army raises Bhairav Battalion

• What
  • The Indian Army has raised a new unit called the Bhairav Battalion to prepare for fast-moving and technology-driven warfare.
• Tell me more
  • Each battalion has around 200–250 soldiers led by a small group of officers.
  • Battalions are placed under corps and division formations in Rajasthan, Jammu, Ladakh, and the Northeast.
  • Nearly 15 battalions have been raised, with plans to expand to about 25.

2. Indian Army signs rocket system contract

• What
  • The Indian Army signed a ₹293 crore emergency procurement contract with NIBE Limited for the Made in India “Suryastra” universal multi-calibre rocket launcher system with strike ranges of 150 km and 300 km.
• Tell me more
  • NIBE Limited signed a Technology Collaboration Agreement in July 2025 with Elbit Systems.
  • The Defence Acquisition Council permitted emergency procurement contracts up to ₹300 crore till January 15, 2026, with deliveries required to begin within six months and be completed within one year.

3. LCA Tejas completes 25 years

• What
  • The Light Combat Aircraft Tejas completed 25 years since its first flight on January 4, 2001, strengthening India’s ability to design and build fighter aircraft within the country for the Indian Air Force.
• Tell me more
  • A total of 38 aircraft, including 32 fighters and six trainers, have been inducted.
  • These aircraft operate in two squadrons of the Indian Air Force.
  • The LCA Mk1A is an advanced variant meant to meet current operational needs.
  • LCA Mk II and LCA Navy variants are under development.
  • The programme anniversary was marked at the Aeronautics 2047 seminar organised by the Aeronautical Development Agency.
  • The Tejas aircraft is manufactured by Bengaluru-based Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).

Source: TW

Memorandum of Understanding

1. ONGC–NSTFDC MoU for tribal education

• What
  • Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited signed a Memorandum of Understanding with National Scheduled Tribes Finance and Development Corporation to support tribal students.
• Tell me more
  • The initiative includes digital learning facilities, teacher capacity building, career counselling, entrepreneurship training, infrastructure support and health support for girl students through sanitary pad vending machines and incinerators.
  • ONGC has approved ₹28 crore under its corporate social responsibility programme.
  • The project will cover 144 EMRS schools across 11 States and Union Territories.

Source: PIB

Appointments

1. Ida Liu appointed HSBC CEO

• HSBC’s global headquarters are in London, England.

Source: ET

Miscellaneous

1. Goa CM launches new edition of ANI Chairman Prem Prakash’s book ‘History That India Ignored’

• The second edition of the book ‘History That India Ignored’ has narrated in detail Veer Vinayak Damodar Savarkar’s life and sacrifice.

Source: ANI

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