13^th January 2026

1. MPATGM: Recently, the Defence Research and Development Organisation successfully flight-tested the Man Portable Anti-Tank Guided Missile (MPATGM) with top-attack capability against a moving target.

• About MPATGM: A third-generation, fire-and-forget anti-tank guided missile developed in India. It is designed for infantry portability, offering high lethality against modern armoured threats.

  • The missile features a top-attack mode, enabling it to strike enemy tanks at their most vulnerable upper surfaces.

• Key Highlights: The missile accurately hit a moving target, validating its operational effectiveness.

• Top-attack capability was successfully demonstrated, proving its relevance against contemporary armoured platforms.

• Cutting-Edge Indigenous Technologies Used

• Imaging Infrared (IIR) Homing Seeker: Enables precise target acquisition and tracking in both day and night conditions.

• All-Electric Control Actuation System: Enhances system reliability while reducing maintenance requirements.

• Advanced Fire Control System: Improves engagement accuracy and simplifies operator handling.

• High-Performance Sighting System & Propulsion Unit: Provides operational flexibility and ensures precision strike capability.

2. BHASHINI Samudaye: Recently, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) is organising BHASHINI Samudaye: Strengthening India’s Language AI Ecosystem.

• Key Highlights: The initiative, spearheaded by the Digital India BHASHINI Division, highlights India’s evolving approach to ensuring that digital governance, education, and public services are accessible in all Indian languages.

• About BHASHINI Samudaye : A collaborative, community-driven initiative under the BHASHINI programme. It brings together language experts, academia, civil society organisations, startups, and data practitioners to collectively shape the future of Language AI in India.

• The initiative emphasizes co-creation, participatory governance, and scalable Language AI solutions rooted in Indian linguistic diversity.

• Objectives: Strengthen India’s Language AI ecosystem through collaboration

• Build coordinated and sovereign AI capabilities aligned with national priorities

• Promote ethical, inclusive, and community-led data creation

• Enable scalable adoption of multilingual AI solutions across sectors such as governance, education, and public services.

3. Bamanwas Kankar Panchayat: Recently, Bamanwas Kankar panchayat in Rajasthan achieved the distinction of becoming the State’s first fully certified organic panchayat.

• About Bamanwas Kankar Panchayat: Located in the newly formed Kotputli–Behror district, the initiative demonstrates how local self-governance can drive ecological resilience, farmer health, and long-term sustainability.

• Comprises seven hamlets: Bamanwas, Nangalhedi, Rah Ka Mala, Bhadana Ki Bhaal, Tolawas, Khariya Ki Dhani, and Bairawas

• Key Features of the Organic Transition: Chemical-Free Farming: No synthetic pesticides or fertilisers; uses vermicompost, organic conditioners, and natural pest-control methods.

• Sustainable Practices: Crop rotation and mulching improve soil moisture and prevent groundwater contamination.

• Organic Animal Husbandry: Eco-friendly livestock care enhances animal health and produces safer, higher-value dairy products.

4. Narco-Coordination Centre (NCORD): Recently, the Union Home Minister chaired the 9th Apex-Level Meeting of the Narco-Coordination Centre (NCORD) at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, reiterating the government’s resolve to tackle the drug menace through coordinated action.

• About NCORD: It was established in 2016 to strengthen coordination between States and the Ministry of Home Affairs. To further enhance effectiveness, a four-tier coordination framework was introduced in 2019.

• Purpose: To promote a holistic and coordinated response to the drug problem by improving communication, cooperation, and intelligence sharing among States, central ministries, and law enforcement agencies involved in drug control.

• Structure of NCORD: Apex-Level NCORD Committee: Headed by the Union Home Secretary

• Executive-Level NCORD Committee: Headed by the Special Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs

• State-Level NCORD Committees: Headed by Chief Secretaries

• District-Level NCORD Committees: Headed by District Magistrates

• Key Initiatives: NCORD Portal: A dedicated digital platform for real-time information sharing among concerned agencies.

• MANAS Helpline (1933): Madak Padarth Nishedh Asuchna Kendra—a toll-free national helpline to report drug-related information and seek assistance.

5. Nipah Virus: Recently, in a serious public health development, two suspected cases of Nipah virus infection were detected in West Bengal, with laboratory confirmation at AIIMS Kalyani.

• About Nipah Virus: A zoonotic virus, transmitted from animals to humans

• First identified in 1998–99 in Malaysia, named after Kampung Sungai Nipah

• Classified under the Henipavirus genus (Paramyxoviridae family)

• Recognised by the World Health Organization as a high-risk pathogen

  • Natural & Intermediate Hosts: Fruit bats (Pteropodidae family) are the natural reservoirs

• Pigs can act as intermediate hosts

• Human-to-human transmission possible through close contact

• Early Symptoms (Flu-like): Fever, headache, muscle pain, sore throat & respiratory discomfort

• Severe Symptoms: Acute respiratory distress, disorientation, confusion, seizures and convulsions, & Encephalitis (brain inflammation).

• Diagnostic Methods: RT-PCR for viral RNA detection, ELISA for antibody detection, Serum Neutralization Test and Histopathology

• Treatment & Management: Use of monoclonal antibodies, Antivirals such as Remdesivir and Strict isolation and quarantine protocols

6. International Kite Festival 2026: Recently, showcasing India’s soft power and cultural diplomacy, India and Germany jointly inaugurated the International Kite Festival 2026 at the Sabarmati Riverfront in Ahmedabad.

• About International Kite Festival: An annual global cultural celebration hosted by Gujarat, inspired by Uttarayan / Makar Sankranti, symbolising the sun’s northward journey.

• Organised by Gujarat Tourism, the festival showcases India’s living heritage, artisanal excellence, and people-to-people cultural exchange.

• Traditional and Classical Art Forms: Gujarati folk dance: Beda Raas

• Classical traditions: Kuchipudi and Bharatanatyam

• Indigenous sport-art: Mallakhamb, blending strength, rhythm, and tradition

• Musical Ensemble: A grand performance by 108 artists from Gujarat and Rajasthan

• Instruments featured included sitar, sarangi, violin, mandolin, harmonium, flute, tabla, dholak, and mridang

• The repertoire ranged from Vande Mataram and Vaishnav Jan to selected German musical compositions, reflecting cross-cultural harmony

• Global Participation: The festival witnessed vibrant participation from over 50 countries, including Germany, France, Japan, the USA, the UK, Australia, Brazil, South Africa, Vietnam, and Sri Lanka, reinforcing its stature as a global cultural bridge rooted in Indian tradition.

7. AI in Parliamentary Proceedings: Recently, the Lok Sabha Speaker announced that from next year, AI-based translation will make parliamentary proceedings and documents available in 22 Scheduled Languages.

• Key Highlights: It is an AI-enabled real-time translation initiative that converts parliamentary debates and complete official documents into all 22 Scheduled Languages.

• Unlike earlier practices limited to summaries, the initiative ensures full public access to entire parliamentary proceedings. Notably, it is a first-of-its-kind reform implemented simultaneously for both Houses of the Parliament.

• Key Features of the AI Translation Initiative: Live translation of debates into 22 Scheduled Languages

• Currently functional in 10 languages, with phased expansion underway

• Covers debates, questions and answers, Bills, committee reports, and official records

• Strengthens legislative transparency and citizen participation

• Extends accessibility beyond traditional English–Hindi audiences

• Enables faster preparation of supplementary questions by Members of Parliament

• Facilitates timely circulation of Bills, replies, and official parliamentary documents

8. India and Germany: Recently, India and Germany reaffirmed their commitment to strengthen their Strategic Partnership across defence, economy, technology, climate action, and people-to-people ties.

• Key Highlights: Strengthening military-to-military cooperation, joint exercises, training, port calls, and senior exchanges.

• New Track 1.5 Foreign Policy and Security Dialogue

• Germany’s participation in Naval Exercise MILAN, IONS Conclave of Chiefs (2026), TARANG SHAKTI, and deployment of a Liaison Officer at IFC–IOR.

• Signed Joint Declaration of Intent on a Defence Industrial Cooperation Roadmap (co-development, co-production, technology).

• Bilateral trade exceeded USD 50 billion (2024); over a quarter of India–EU trade.

• Support reiterated for early conclusion of the India–EU Free Trade Agreement.

• Agreements signed in semiconductors, critical minerals, telecom, digitalisation, AI, and innovation.

• New funding and joint working groups on battery storage, solar manufacturing, & wind energy.

• Alignment of India’s National Green Hydrogen Mission with Germany’s Hydrogen Strategy.

• Major green ammonia offtake agreement

• Support for a free and open Indo-Pacific, UNCLOS, and launch of a bilateral Indo-Pacific consultation mechanism.

• Growth in exchanges of students, researchers, and skilled professionals.

9. India’s Domestic Solar Industry: Recently, India’s domestic solar industry has urged robust fiscal and policy support in the upcoming Union Budget to sustain momentum and enable the next phase of solar energy growth.

• Key Highlights: According to National Solar Energy Federation of India (NSEFI), India today is the second-largest power generator in terms of installed capacity, underlining the strategic importance of solar energy in India’s clean energy transition.

• Solar no longer a sub-sector, but a core pillar of India’s energy security

• Industry leaders are seeking an expanded Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) framework to deepen domestic manufacturing.

• The Solar Energy Society of India (SESI) highlighted the need for sustained financial support.

• The industry is advocating a second phase of the PM-KUSUM scheme, launched in 2019 to de-dieselise agriculture. It enhances energy and water security for farmers

• Industry voices have called for renewed momentum for PM Surya Ghar Yojana. It targets rooftop solar adoption in households and provides up to 300 units of free electricity per month