Road, Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari has said that India has become the first country in the world to commercially produce bio-bitumen in road construction. Bitumen is a black, viscous mixture of hydrocarbons produced by the fractionation of crude oil, and it serves as a crucial binder in road construction.
Financial Software and Systems (FSS) has become the first payments company in India, the Middle East, APAC and South Africa to be certified as an ISO IEC 42001 Certification Lead, reinforcing its leadership in responsible and ethical use of artificial intelligence (AI) in payments and banking technology.
According to data released by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, the total area sown under rabi crops in the ongoing winter season has increased to 634.14 lakh hectares as of January 7, marking a rise of 16.4 lakh hectares compared to the same period last year (2025).
India is hosting the second phase of specialized capacity building program in cancer care for BIMSTEC countries. The External Affairs Ministry said in a statement that the specialised capacity building program in cancer care was inaugurated today at Tata Memorial Centres Homi Bhabha Cancer Hospital and Research Centre in Vishakhapatnam.
Indian scientists have developed the first supercomputer-powered simulation to capture the long-existing paradox of hot water freezing faster than cold water. The Ministry of Science and Technology informed that this phenomenon, technically called the Mpemba effect, had eluded scientists for a long time.
Dubai will host the third international AYUSH conference and exhibition from February 15 to 17, 2026, at the Dubai World Trade Centre. This brings together practitioners, researchers, policymakers, industry representatives and students of traditional systems of medicine from more than 35 countries.
Indias pharmaceutical exports reached $30.47 billion in FY 2024 25, registering a year-on-year growth of 9.4 percent, and are on track to surpass last years performance in the current financial year, the Pharmaceuticals Export Promotion Council of India (PHARMEXCIL) informed Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal on 5 January 2026.
World Braille Day is celebrated every year on January 4, highlights the vital role of Braille as a means of communication and empowerment for the visually impaired. The day commemorates the birth anniversary of Louis Braille, the inventor of the tactile writing system that has transformed lives worldwide.
The commerce ministry said Indias traditional medicine system AYUSH has received formal recognition in bilateral trade agreements with Oman and New Zealand. Both the agreements, which were finalised in 2025 December, have dedicated annexures on health-related services and traditional medicine.
India has become the worlds largest producer of rice, surpassing China. This was stated by Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan in New Delhi. He said Indias rice production has reached 150.18 million tonnes, compared to Chinas 145.28 million tonnes.
The French government is planning to ban social media platforms for children under the age of 15 from the start of the 2026 academic year. President Emmanuel Macron has championed the idea in recent weeks, expressing that he wants France to follow Australias world-first ban on social media platforms for under-16s, which came into action in December.
ESAF Small Finance Bank announced the appointment of Karthikeyan Manickam as its Chairman. He is a former executive director of the Bank of India. Manickam possesses expertise across key areas, including banking operations, risk management, regulatory compliance, human resources management, and credit monitoring and recovery.
The Chinese Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) Navy has officially commissioned a new Type 052D guided-missile destroyer, featuring upgraded radar, weapon systems, and network architecture designed to enhance air defense, sea strike, and task force command capabilities.
Assam became the first state in India to constitute an 8th State Pay Commission, just as the 7th Pay Commissions provisions are set to expire on January 1, 2026. The development comes amid growing anticipation among government employees and pensioners for clarity on pay hikes.
On 2 January 2026, the government announced a Rs.7,295-crore export support package, comprising a Rs.5,181-crore interest subvention scheme along with a Rs.2,114-crore collateral support, to improve exporters access to credit. Both measures will be rolled out over a period of six years (2025-31).
The Global Family Day is observed every year on January 1 to remind everyone about the importance of family and the strong bonds we share, especially during challenging times. In our fast-paced world, this day becomes an opportunity for everyone to pause and recognize the love, support and care families offer.
