Daily current affairs: 11 January 2026

Long Description : The Prime Minister participated in the 'Somnath Swabhiman Parv' in Gujarat’s Gir Somnath district. The 'Shaurya Yatra' was organized to pay tribute to the historical figures who sacrificed their lives defending the shrine against invaders. A highlights of the event was a grand drone show depicting the temple’s destruction and its subsequent rise and restoration. PM Modi emphasized that Somnath stands as a symbol of India's "civilisational courage." The festival also highlighted the efforts of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel in the temple's 1951 restoration. The visit marks the PM's first trip to Gujarat in 2026, combining spiritual devotion with cultural diplomacy.

Long Description : Under the draft "Indian Telecom Security Assurance Requirements," the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) seeks to mandate that companies like Apple and Samsung allow government labs to test their underlying software. The proposal also includes allowing users to uninstall pre-installed apps and blocking background camera/microphone usage by unauthorized apps. While the government cites national security and user data protection as primary motives, industry bodies like MAIT have expressed concerns regarding battery drain and intellectual property risks. A high-level meeting between IT ministry officials and tech executives is scheduled for January 13 to discuss these stringent measures.

Long Description : Economic analysts indicate that while the National Statistical Office (NSO) revised nominal GDP growth from 10.1% to 8%, the absolute revenue and expenditure figures remain aligned with Budget 2025 estimates. The government has managed to keep revenue expenditure 2% lower than projected, while maintaining capital expenditure at nearly 100% of the budgeted amount. Additionally, a buffer of approximately ₹0.5 trillion from unutilized GST compensation cess funds is expected to offset any minor tax revenue shortfalls. Maintaining this 4.4% target (or potentially bettering it to 4.3%) is seen as a vital signal to global investors regarding India's macroeconomic stability.

Long Description : The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is returning to flight with the PSLV-C62 mission, following a technical hiatus in late 2025. The 260-tonne rocket will deploy the primary Earth observation satellite, Anvesha, into a polar sun-synchronous orbit. Notably, the mission includes an in-orbit demonstration of a 25-kg re-entry capsule from a Spanish startup, carried on the rocket's fourth stage (PS4). This mission also highlights India's growing commercial space presence, as the 14 co-passenger satellites were secured through NewSpace India Ltd (NSIL). The launch is scheduled for 10:18 am on January 12 from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre.

Long Description : The regional summit in Rajkot serves as a precursor to the main global summit, focusing on decentralizing investment and highlighting local potential. During the inauguration, the Prime Minister noted that Saurashtra and Kutch are becoming hubs for "Green Growth," specifically citing the 30-gigawatt hybrid renewable energy park in Kutch—the world’s largest. He also mentioned that 100% FDI in the insurance sector is a key reform accelerating universal coverage. The event saw participation from over 1,500 delegates and is expected to result in numerous MoUs across the renewable energy, tourism, and manufacturing sectors.

Long Description : The UN report highlights India as one of the fastest-growing major economies globally, despite headwinds such as potential US tariffs and global trade tensions. The upgrade from 6.4% to 6.6% is attributed to significant domestic demand and strategic investments in defense and renewable energy. For the 2025-26 financial year, the UN estimates growth at 7.2%. While global GDP growth is expected to remain sluggish at 2.7%, India’s position is bolstered by GST rationalization and recent income tax reforms. The report also projects inflation to stabilize around 4.1% in 2026, down from the 2025 average.

Long Description : To mitigate the impact of "Trump-era" tariffs, New Delhi is shifting its trade strategy toward Europe and the Middle East. While the US remains India's largest market, recent trade deals with Britain and New Zealand indicate a proactive diversification drive. The UK trade deal alone is expected to double Indian garment exports. Negotiations with the European Union and the Eurasian Economic Union are being fast-tracked, with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen expected to visit India later this month. This shift is essential for labor-intensive sectors like textiles and marine products.

Long Description : During the Kerala Kaumudi Conclave, the Home Minister shared that India now accounts for 50% of all digital transactions globally. He noted the country’s significant leap in Research & Development, stating India now ranks in the top 10 globally in all 35 R&D segments. Discussing regional development, he criticized the alternating coalition system in Kerala for stalling central projects like AMRUT and the Smart Cities Mission. He urged for an impartial investigation into the Sabarimala temple gold theft case and emphasized a model of "holistic development."

Long Description : Introduced to ensure high ethical standards in the executive, the Bill applies to the Prime Minister, Chief Ministers, and other Ministers. It mandates removal if a person is accused of an offence carrying five or more years of imprisonment and remains in custody for 31 days. Legal experts have raised concerns regarding the "basic structure" of the Constitution, as it could allow investigative agencies to unseat elected governments before a court verdict. The Joint Parliamentary Committee, chaired by Ms. Aparajita Sarangi, is currently deliberating on the Bill’s impact.

Long Description : In a bid to tighten regulations on the volatile crypto market, the government has introduced the "penny-drop" mechanism. In this process, a small amount (e.g., ₹1) is deposited into the customer's bank account to ensure that the account details provided match the individual's identity. This, combined with mandatory real-time selfie verification, is designed to prevent the use of "mule accounts" and shell identities for crypto trading. The measure follows increasing reports of cyber fraud involving digital assets. These standards align crypto service providers with AML frameworks.

Long Description : The Immigration and Foreigners Bill, 2025, seeks to modernize the regulatory framework for entry, stay, and exit from India. A key feature is the establishment of the Bureau of Immigration under a Commissioner to supervise all immigration functions. The Bill increases the fine for entering India without a valid passport from ₹50,000 to ₹5 lakh. It also places new obligations on educational and medical institutions to report the presence of foreigners. Furthermore, it empowers police officers of the rank of Head Constable and above to make arrests without a warrant for violations.

Long Description : The chartbook by Ionic Wealth argues that India is at a critical juncture where traditional manufacturing methods are no longer sufficient to maintain global competitiveness. To fully realize the "Make in India" goals, the report suggests a shift toward advanced manufacturing, including the integration of AI-led innovation. This transition is essential for India to move up the value chain in electronics and automotive sectors. Currently, India is seeing strong growth in the electronics supply chain, but further automation is needed to compete with neighbors like Vietnam and China.

Long Description : The Technology Development Board (TDB-DST) has partnered with VMSPL (Goa) and Canadian firm ACEL Power Inc. to build a lightweight Fiber Reinforced Plastic (FRP) electric boat. The vessel will feature advanced electric propulsion and battery systems, aimed at reducing carbon emissions and noise pollution in Indian inland waterways. This project is part of a larger push for green mobility and sustainable tourism. The boat will be the first of its kind to receive certification from the Indian Register of Shipping (IRS).

Long Description : The first contract, valued at ₹2,770 crore, involves the procurement of 4.25 lakh CQB Carbines for the Indian Army and Navy. These will be manufactured indigenously, with Bharat Forge producing 60% and PLR Systems producing 40%. The second contract, worth ₹1,896 crore, was signed with WASS Submarine Systems (Italy) for advanced submarine equipment. These procurements are intended to modernize the infantry’s firepower and enhance the operational readiness of the naval fleet. The delivery is expected over the next five years.

Long Description : The test, conducted at the Solid Motor Static Test Facility at SDSC, Sriharikota, validated several key upgrades. The new SS3 stage utilizes a carbon-epoxy motor case, which is lighter and stronger than previous versions, along with an improved igniter and nozzle system. These enhancements are designed to increase the payload capacity and overall efficiency of the SSLV, which is ISRO’s dedicated vehicle for small-satellites. The success of this static test qualifies the improved stage for future flight induction.

Long Description : According to the latest data from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), the decline in reserves marks one of the largest weekly drops in recent months. The fall is attributed to the valuation effect of a stronger US Dollar and the RBI's active sale of dollars to prevent excessive volatility in the Rupee. Despite the drop, India’s reserves remain comfortable, providing more than 10 months of import cover. Analysts suggest that the central bank remains vigilant against global economic shifts and potential capital outflows.