Daily Current Affairs and GK | 7 January 2026

Topic: Government Schemes and Initiatives

1. The second phase of the specialised cancer care training programme for BIMSTEC Countries was launched in Visakhapatnam.

• The programme was launched at Homi Bhabha Cancer Hospital and Research Centre (HBCHRC) in Visakhapatnam.
• External Affairs Ministry Joint Secretary (BIMSTEC & SAARC) C.S.R. Ram launched the programme.
• He said the programme brings together participants from BIMSTEC countries.
• The countries include Bangladesh, Bhutan, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Nepal.
• He highlighted that the rising burden of cancer in the region makes capacity building and skill development essential.
• He also highlighted unequal access to quality care also make capacity building and skill development essential.
• The aim of the initiative is to improve cancer care services.
• Prime Minister of India made announcement of this initiative at the 6th BIMSTEC Summit.
• The initiative is being implemented by the Tata Memorial Centre with support from the External Affairs Ministry.
• During inaugural edition held in July-August 2025, 21 cancer-care professionals from Bangladesh, Bhutan, Myanmar, and Nepal were trained.

Topic: MoUs/Agreements

2. An MoU signed between ONGC and NSTFDC for CSR-funded development of Eklavya Model Residential Schools.

• An MoU has been signed between Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited (ONGC) and the National Scheduled Tribes Finance and Development Corporation (NSTFDC) for CSR-funded infrastructure development of Eklavya Model Residential Schools.
• NSTFDC is an autonomous body of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs.
• The MoU was signed on 5 January 2026 at Dr. Ambedkar International Centre, New Delhi.
• The agreement has been aimed at the empowerment of tribal students through career mentorship, digital education and augmentation of school infrastructure.
• The initiative has been aligned with the Central Sector Scheme of Eklavya Model Residential Schools being steered by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs.
• Such schools represent a crucial step towards preparing a modern and aware generation through a blend of education, technology, and holistic development.
• Currently, 499 EMRS schools are operational across the country.
• ONGC, a Maharatna CPSE under the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, has sanctioned ₹28 crore for the implementation of the CSR project.
• The approved funds will be utilised for strengthening digital learning infrastructure and for health and hygiene interventions, including sanitary pad vending machines and incinerators for girl students.
• A total of 144 Eklavya Model Residential Schools located across 11 States and Union Territories will be covered under this initiative.
• More than 35,000 tribal students are expected to benefit through improved access to quality education, skills and equal opportunities.

Topic: Banking and Finance

3. The first meeting of the Payments Regulatory Board chaired by RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra.

• On 5 January, the first meeting of the Payments Regulatory Board was held in Mumbai under the chairmanship of RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra.
• The meeting was convened following the constitution of the Payments Regulatory Board under the amended Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007, which came into effect on May 9, 2025.
• The Payments Regulatory Board replaced the erstwhile Board for Regulation and Supervision of Payment and Settlement Systems (BPSS).
• The BPSS had earlier functioned as a committee of the Central Board of the Reserve Bank of India.
• The functions of the Department of Payment and Settlement Systems were reviewed during the meeting.
• Current focus areas related to domestic as well as global payment systems were discussed by the Board.
• The draft Payments Vision 2028 was presented before the members for consideration.
• Strategic guidance was provided by the members to ensure the sustained development of India’s payment ecosystem.
• A presentation was made on the key findings of the RBI’s recently conducted Survey on Digital Payments.

Topic: International News

4. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz will make his first official visit to India on January 12.

• An official visit to India by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has been scheduled for 12th and 13th January.
• The visit is being undertaken at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
• This will be the first official visit of Chancellor Merz to India.
• During the visit, travel to Ahmedabad and Bengaluru has been planned.
• Chancellor Merz is to be received by Prime Minister Modi on 12th January in Ahmedabad.
• The two leaders will review the progress made in various aspects of the India-Germany strategic partnership, which completed 25 years last year.
• Discussions will cover cooperation in trade, investment, technology, education, skilling and mobility.
• Collaboration in defence, security, science, innovation, green development and people-to-people ties will also be advanced.
• The visit is expected to reaffirm the shared vision of both countries for a forward-looking and mutually beneficial partnership.

Topic: State News/Telangana

5. The Telangana GST (Amendment) Bill 2026 passed by the state assembly.

• On 5 January, the Telangana GST (Amendment) Bill 2026 was approved by the Telangana State Assembly amid disruptions.
• The Bill was introduced on behalf of Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy by Excise and Prohibition Minister J. Krishna Rao.
• The amendment was described as a “technical updation” mandated by the Centre.
• Concerns were raised regarding revenue losses linked to ethanol blending in petrol.
• Legislators of the MIM staged a walkout opposing the Bill.
• Allegations were made that the GST framework was pushing smaller states into financial stress.
• BJP members defended GST reforms, stating that tax rationalisation benefited the middle class.
• MIM floor leader Akbaruddin Owaisi alleged that the central government is pushing Telangana into a debt trap under the pretext of 'One Nation, One Tax', and that smaller states are suffering as a result.
• Despite the uproar, the Telangana GST (Amendment) Bill 2026 was passed by the Assembly.

Topic: Personality in News

6. Former world billiards champion Manoj Kothari has passed away.

• On 5 January, the former world billiards champion Manoj Kothari passed away at the age of 67.
• His death occurred following a massive cardiac arrest at a hospital in Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu.
• Manoj Kothari won the World Billiards Championship title in 1990.
• He secured the State Billiards Championship title on 16 occasions during his career.
• In 2005, he was conferred with the prestigious Dhyan Chand Award.
• The Dhyan Chand Award is India’s highest honour for lifetime achievement in sports.
• In 2025, he was honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award by the Billiards and Snooker Federation of India.

Topic: New Developments

7. First supercomputer-powered simulation to capture Mpemba effect has been developed by Indian Scientists.

• A major scientific breakthrough has been achieved by Indian scientists. 
• They developed the first supercomputer-powered simulation to explain why hot water can sometimes freeze faster than cold water.
• This unusual behavior is called the Mpemba effect and has remained unexplained for a long time.
• The study was led by researchers from the Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research.
• The researchers created the first computer simulation that models ice formation showing Mpemba effect.
• The simulation also shows that similar effects can occur in substances other than water.
• These effects appear during transitions from liquid to solid states.
• The findings of the research have been published in the journal of Communications Physics.

Topic: Infrastructure and Energy

8. India Energy Week 2026 will be organised in Goa from January 27 to January 30.

• India Energy Week 2026 will bring together global ministers, CEOs, policymakers, financial institutions, academia and technology leaders.
• They will discuss issues like energy security, investment and decarbonisation.
• India Energy Week is held under the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas.
• India Energy Week is jointly hosted by the Federation of Indian Petroleum Industry and dmg events.
• India Energy Week 2026 will be the first major global energy gathering of the year.
• Participants from more than 120 countries will attend the event.
• India Energy Week 2026 will provide a forum for cooperation on building energy systems that are resilient, affordable and sustainable.
• As per International Energy Agency’s World Energy Outlook 2025, India will account for over 23% of global incremental energy demand by 2050. This will be the highest for any country.
• Over four days, IEW 2026 will feature CEO dialogues, public-private sector interactions, technology showcases, exhibitions and ministerial roundtables.
• India’s recent energy sector reforms will be showcased. These include the Oilfields Regulation and Development Act, 2025.

Topic: National News

9. On CSIR-National Physical Laboratory’s 80th Foundation Day, Union Minister Jitendra Singh inaugurated two global-scale facilities.

• Union Minister inaugurated these facilities at CSIR–National Physical Laboratory.
• He inaugurated the world’s second National Environmental Standard Laboratory.
• He also inaugurated world’s fifth National Primary Standard Facility for Solar Cell Calibration.
• The launch of National Environmental Standard Laboratory represented a major step for India’s environmental governance.
• The launch of National Primary Standard Facility for Solar Cell Calibration puts India in an elite global league in solar metrology. It is the fifth facility of its kind globally.
• The environmental laboratory will improve air pollution monitoring accuracy.
• The facility will strengthen initiatives like the National Clean Air Programme.
• The solar calibration facility was developed in collaboration with Germany’s PTB.
• The facility uses advanced laser-based calibration technology.
• The new facility will reduce dependence on foreign certification bodies.
• Fourteen phytochemical Bharatiya Nirdeshak Dravya standards were launched.
• These were jointly developed by CSIR-CIMAP and CSIR-NPL.
• Two gas standards were also released. One silica fume standard was introduced.

Topic: Summits/ Conferences/ Meetings

10. The National Textiles Ministers’ Conference 2026 will start on January 8 in Guwahati, Assam.

• The conference will run for two days and will be attended by Textile ministers from States and senior officials from Union Territories.
• The conference is being organised by Ministry of Textiles in partnership with Government of Assam.
• The theme of the conference is “India’s Textiles: Weaving Growth, Heritage & Innovation”.
• The aim of the conference is to deliberate on areas like policy reforms, infrastructure development, sustainability, exports and technological advancement.
• India seeks to become a global textile manufacturing hub by 2030.
• The inaugural session will also feature the launch of an exhibition and pavilion showing India’s textile capabilities, innovation and rich heritage.
• A special conclave on the North-East will take place on January 8. It will focus on strengthening the regional textile sector.