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8 January 2026 Current Affairs

Jan 08, 2026

National Affairs

  • Prasar Bharati initiated steps to resume live radio broadcasts in Thadou language from AIR Imphal , suspended during Manipur ethnic violence (2023).

  • Ministry of Information & Broadcasting , with MyGov , announced winners of four creative challenges under the Badalta Bharat Mera Anubhav campaign.

  • Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan to release 55 literary works developed by Centres of Excellence for Classical Kannada, Telugu, Malayalam & Odia , including Tirukkural editions and sign-language books .

  • AYUSH systems formally recognised in India–Oman CEPA and India–New Zealand FTA (finalised Dec 2025).

  • Government approved NBS rates for Rabi 2025–26 , covering Phosphatic & Potassic (P&K) fertilisers (DAP, NPKS grades); effective 1 Oct 2025 – 31 Mar 2026 .

  • India’s first hydrogen-powered train to operate in Haryana , marking a clean-energy milestone in rail transport.

  • Department of Economic Affairs (DEA) operationalised a 3-year PPP project pipeline , based on Union Budget 2025–26 announcement.

  • Union Government relaxed funding norms for deep-tech startups , allowing up to ?1 crore support via DSIR .

  • Tamil Nadu Assured Pension Scheme (TAPS) announced by CM M.K. Stalin , guaranteeing 50% of last-drawn salary as pension for state employees & teachers.

  • India’s largest integrated inland Rainbow Trout farm inaugurated in Ranga Reddy district, Telangana , by Rajiv Ranjan Singh & G. Kishan Reddy .

  • Supreme Court of India signed MoU with Bhutan to exchange young legal professionals , strengthening judicial cooperation.

  • IBBI introduced revised electronic liquidation forms , effective January 2026 , to improve compliance & filing quality.

  • IDFC FIRST Bank launched ‘Zero-Forex Diamond Reserve Credit Card’ , offering zero forex markup for international travellers.

  • Ind-Ra (Fitch Group) projected India’s GDP growth at 6.9% for FY27 , lower than estimated 7.4% in FY26 .

  • Financial Software & Systems (FSS) became the first payments company across India, ME, APAC & South Africa to receive ISO/IEC 42001 certification (AI management systems).

  • ONGC partnered with Japan’s MOL to enter the ethane shipping business through two joint ventures .

  • Siddaramaiah became Karnataka’s longest-serving CM on 7 Jan 2026 , completing 2,793+ days , surpassing Devaraj Urs .

  • CSIR-NPL inaugurated National Environmental Standard Laboratory (NSEL) and National Primary Standard Facility for Solar Cell Calibration during its 80th Foundation Day .

Defence & Security

  • IAF marked 25 years of Tejas LCA’s maiden flight , highlighting indigenous aerospace progress.

  • Indian Army signed ?293-crore EP contract with NIBE Ltd for procurement of Suryastra rocket launcher system .

  • Indian Army announced ‘Bhairav’ force , a modern warfare unit focusing on large-scale drone integration and 1 lakh+ trained drone operators .

Economy, Banking & Appointments

  • HSBC Private Bank appointed Ida Liu as CEO , effective 5 January 2026 .

  • DEA’s PPP pipeline to strengthen infrastructure execution through private participation.

Science & Environment

  • Scientists from Mizoram University , with international collaborators, discovered a new reed snake species Calamaria mizoramensis in Mizoram .

Obituaries

  • Manoj Kothari , former World Billiards Champion and Chief National Coach , passed away at 67 in Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu .

  • Suresh Kalmadi , senior INC leader & former Union MoS (Railways) , passed away at 81 in Pune .

Important Day

  • African National Congress (ANC) Foundation Day – 8 January
    Marks the founding of ANC in 1912, South Africa’s oldest liberation movement.

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