Daily current affairs: 8 January 2026

Long Description : The Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India announced that the 16th Indian Census will be the country's first-ever digital census. The exercise, delayed since 2021, will utilize a dedicated mobile application for real-time data collection. This phase involves the systematic numbering of houses and gathering data on amenities available to households. The government aims to create a "clean, machine-readable" dataset that can be shared via APIs with various ministries for evidence-based policymaking. Geotagging of all residential and non-residential buildings will be a key feature of this digital layout mapping.

Long Description : India’s economic momentum remains resilient despite global headwinds and new international tariff pressures. This 7.4% projection is higher than the Reserve Bank of India's (RBI) previous forecast of 7.3% and significantly exceeds the 6.5% growth recorded in the preceding fiscal. The growth is primarily driven by a robust services sector, a revival in domestic investment, and targeted government spending. Nominal GDP is expected to grow by 8%, providing a stable base for the upcoming Union Budget on February 1. Manufacturing and construction sectors are also showing signs of double-digit recovery.

Long Description : Under a new executive order, the United States is withdrawing from 66 international organizations, including the International Solar Alliance (ISA), which was co-founded by India and France. This move poses a challenge to India’s leadership in global climate diplomacy and the "One Sun, One World, One Grid" initiative. The withdrawal is part of a broader US policy shift toward strategic isolationism and a focus on domestic energy production. For India, this necessitates a recalibration of solar financing and technology partnerships, potentially increasing the reliance on other member nations and private investments.

Long Description : This mega-hydro project is a critical component of India’s strategy to achieve Net Zero emissions by 2070. Once completed, the Kamala project is expected to generate approximately 6,869.92 million units (MU) of green energy annually. It will be one of the largest hydroelectric plants in Northeast India, aimed at balancing the regional power grid and reducing the carbon footprint. Beyond power generation, the project is designed to provide flood moderation and socio-economic development through infrastructure creation in the remote border regions of Arunachal Pradesh.

Long Description : The new Bill seeks to modernize the regulatory framework for pesticides to ensure better accountability and safety throughout their lifecycle. Key features include stricter standards for worker training, occupational health protection, and the safeguarding of beneficial organisms like pollinators. Notably, it creates legal pathways to promote "biopesticides" and Integrated Pest Management (IPM), aiming to reduce chemical dependency in Indian agriculture. The government has invited public comments on the draft, which also includes provisions for digital tracking of pesticide sales to prevent the use of spurious products.

Long Description : Developed by CSIR (Council of Scientific and Industrial Research) institutes, this innovation allows the conversion of rice straw and other farm waste into bio-bitumen. This "Atmanirbhar" technology serves two purposes: reducing India’s heavy import dependency on crude oil-derived bitumen and providing a sustainable solution to the problem of stubble burning. The Ministry of Science & Technology highlighted that this will lead to the construction of eco-friendly highways. The first few stretches of "Clean, Green Highways" are planned for pilot testing in the National Capital Region (NCR) and Punjab.

Long Description : The National Sports Board (Search-cum-Selection Committee) Rules, 2026, set the stage for appointing a central authority to oversee sports governance in India. The Search-cum-Selection Committee will be chaired by the Cabinet Secretary and will include the Sports Secretary and two national sports awardees. This Board will be responsible for granting recognition to National Sports Federations (NSFs) and ensuring they comply with financial, ethical, and governance standards. This is a significant move toward professionalizing Indian sports administration and ensuring transparency in the selection and funding of athletes.

Long Description : Under the proposed framework, banks with a Capital to Risk-Weighted Assets Ratio (CRAR) and Net NPA (Non-Performing Asset) ratios within specified thresholds will have greater flexibility in rewarding shareholders. Currently, the payout is more restricted to ensure capital conservation. This move reflects the RBI's confidence in the strengthened balance sheets of Indian banks, where the Gross NPA ratio has hit a multi-decade low of 2.1%. The draft circular aims to align Indian banking practices with international standards while maintaining a safety buffer for unforeseen economic shocks.

Long Description : Professor Ajay Kumar Sood, the Chief Science Adviser, emphasized that science and technology are now central to global power dynamics and strategic autonomy. The platform will focus on the governance of disruptive technologies like AI and Quantum Computing, and how scientific partnerships can be leveraged in a multipolar world. This initiative aims to bridge the gap between scientists and diplomats, ensuring that India’s technological advancements are reflected in its foreign policy and international standards-setting. It will officially debut during the Raisina Dialogue scheduled for March 2026.

Long Description : Previously, Delhi integrated its public accounts directly with the Government of India and often borrowed from the National Small Savings Fund (NSSF). By joining the RBI framework, Delhi will now manage its market borrowings and cash balances through the central bank, similar to other Indian states. This provides the Delhi government with access to Ways and Means Advances (WMA) and a more transparent platform for issuing State Development Loans (SDLs). This transition is expected to improve fiscal discipline and provide better interest rate discovery for the capital’s debt requirements.

Long Description : Latest data released in January 2026 shows a significant shift in consumer behavior, with a surge in high-value digital transactions. The growth is attributed to the integration of RuPay credit cards on UPI, which has democratized credit access for merchant payments. While spending is at an all-time high, the RBI is closely monitoring the "unsecured loan" segment to ensure that systemic risks remain low. Analysts suggest that the festive season and increased penetration in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities are the primary drivers of this double-digit growth.

Long Description : This scientific breakthrough, published in Communications Physics, provides a molecular-level understanding of how temperature gradients affect freezing rates. Using advanced computational fluid dynamics on National Supercomputing Mission (NSM) infrastructure, the team demonstrated that the "pre-cooling" of certain molecular structures in hot water allows it to reach a crystalline state faster than cold water under specific conditions. This research has potential applications in cryogenic engineering, food preservation technology, and the development of more efficient cooling systems for high-performance computing.

Long Description : One of India’s most decorated middle-distance runners, Jinson Johnson played a pivotal role in the resurgence of Indian athletics on the global stage. His career highlight was winning the Gold Medal in the 1500m event at the 2018 Jakarta Asian Games. He also holds the national record for the 1500m. Johnson cited recurring injuries and a desire to transition into coaching and sports administration as the reasons for his retirement. His departure marks the end of an era for Indian track and field, where he was known for his tactical brilliance and final-lap sprints.

Long Description : Sindhu continued her dominant form in the 2026 season opener by defeating Chinese Taipei’s Sung Shuo Yun in a straight-games victory (21-13, 22-20). Despite a late-game surge by her opponent in the second set, Sindhu used her experience and reach to close the match. This victory is crucial for her world ranking as she seeks to secure a top-5 seed for the upcoming World Championships. She is the lone Indian surviving in the singles category after other top players faced early exits in the tournament.

Long Description : Under its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative, the coal PSU SECL will fund the establishment of a state-of-the-art vocational training center. The facility will focus on training local youth in paramedical services, nursing, and medical technicians. This project aims to bridge the healthcare professional gap in the tribal-dominated regions of Chhattisgarh while providing sustainable employment opportunities. The MoU signed today outlines a three-year implementation plan, with the trust providing the expertise in medical education and SECL providing the capital infrastructure.

Long Description : The "Russia Sanctions Bill" recently backed by the US administration targets major importers like India, China, and Brazil. For India, which has significantly increased its intake of discounted Russian crude since 2022, this poses a dual threat: a potential spike in domestic fuel prices and a strain on the "strategic partnership" with Washington. Government officials are reportedly exploring "rupee-ruble" alternative payment mechanisms and looking toward increased imports from Venezuela, though those too are facing separate sanction hurdles. The situation remains a key focus for India’s External Affairs and Petroleum ministries.