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Current Affairs

The Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA)

♦ The Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy has officially commissioned a new Type 052D guided-missile destroyer, featuring upgraded radar, weapon systems, and network architecture designed to enhance air defense, sea strike, and task force command capabilities. ♦ The new destroyer, named Loudi and bearing hull number 176, was officially put into service. China’s first Type 052D destroyer, the Kunming, entered service on March 21, 2014. Since then, multiple vessels of this class have been added to the fleet, each incorporating incremental modifications and improvements. ♦ The Loudi is capable of long-range strikes against adversaries while also providing defensive protection for allied vessels.

Current Affairs

Goods and Services Tax (GST)

♦ Tobacco products and pan masala products are set to face a new tax structure from February 1. This comes as the Centre rolls out additional excise duty and a health cess, above the current GST rates. The new structure will replace the compensation cess which is applied on 'sin goods.' ♦ From February 1, pan masala, cigarettes, tobacco and similar products will attract a GST rate of 40 per cent, while biris will attract 18 per cent Goods and Services Tax (GST). ♦ Parliament had in December approved two Bills allowing the levy of the new Health and National Security Cess on pan masala manufacturing and excise duty on tobacco.

Current Affairs

The 8th Pay Commission

♦ Assam became the first state in India to constitute an 8th State Pay Commission, just as the 7th Pay Commission’s provisions are set to expire on January 1, 2026. The development comes amid growing anticipation among government employees and pensioners for clarity on pay hikes. ♦ The 8th Pay Commission—the next in line to revise salaries and pensions for government workers—formally comes into effect from January 1, the same day the 7th Pay Commission ends. 

Current Affairs

Sjoerd Marijne

♦ Sjoerd Marijne was re-appointed as the chief coach of the Indian women’s hockey team. This announcement was made by Hockey India on 2 January 2026. The Dutchman had led Indian women to a historic fourth-place finish at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.  ♦ His appointment comes a month after Harendra Singh had quit following complaints of harassment and ineffective training by the players. ♦ During his first tenure from 2017 to 2021, Marijne led India to the Hockey World League semi-finals in 2017 and silver medals at the 2018 Women’s Asian Champions Trophy and the Asian Games in Jakarta. In 2019, India qualified for the Tokyo Olympics under his guidance, defeating the United States 6-5 on aggregate in the FIH Olympic Qualifiers.

Current Affairs

The government announced a Rs.7,295-crore export support package

♦ On 2 January 2026,  the government announced a Rs.7,295-crore export support package, comprising a Rs.5,181-crore interest subvention scheme along with a Rs.2,114-crore collateral support, to improve exporters' access to credit. Both measures will be rolled out over a period of six years (2025-31). ♦ Under the interest subvention scheme, exporters will get a subsidy on pre- and post-shipment export credit. ♦ This is the second component of the Rs 25,060-crore export promotion mission (EPM) approved in November 2025. ♦ The first component- market access support with an outlay of Rs.4,531 crore was rolled out on December 31, 2025.

Current Affairs

The Global Family Day

♦ The Global Family Day is observed every year on January 1 to remind everyone about the importance of family and the strong bonds we share, especially during challenging times.  In our fast-paced world, this day becomes an opportunity for everyone to pause and recognize the love, support and care families offer. ♦ The origins of Global Family Day trace back to November 1997, inspired by the United Nations’ book One Day in Peace. Published on January 1, 2000, the book imagined a world united in peace for a single day. Around the same time, the UN General Assembly declared the 'International Decade for the Culture of Peace and Non-Violence for the Children of the World'. Building on this momentum, January 1 was officially proposed as Global Family Day in 1999, encouraging people across the globe to start the new millennium with a commitment to peace and solidarity.

Current Affairs

Nagesh Kapoor

♦ Air Marshal Nagesh Kapoor assumed charge as the Vice Chief of the Air Staff (VCAS) on 1 January 2025, following the superannuation of Air Marshal Narmdeshwar Tiwari. Nagesh is presently the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Gandhinagar-based South Western Air Command. ♦ Air Marshal Kapoor was commissioned into the fighter stream of the Indian Air Force on 06 December 1986. A Qualified Flying Instructor and a Fighter Combat Leader, he has more than 3400 hours of flying experience. ♦ Before taking over as AIC-in-C Training Command, he also served as the Air Officer-in-Charge, Personnel, at Air Headquarters in New Delhi. 

Current Affairs

Goods and Services Tax (GST)

♦ The gross Goods and Services Tax (GST) collections for December 2025 were at Rs.1.75 lakh crore. The collection rose 6.1% against Rs.1.64 lakh crore in December 2024.  Local GST revenue rose 1.2% year-on-year to Rs.1.22 lakh crore. GST revenue from imports rose 19.7% year-on-year to Rs.51,977 crore. GST refunds were up 31% year-on-year at Rs.28,980 crore. Net GST revenue rose 2.2% year-on-year to Rs.1.45 lakh crore. GST compension cess fell 64.69% year-on-year to Rs.4,238 crore. Gross GST collection rose 6.1% year-on-year to Rs.1.74 lakh crore. ♦ On 22 September 2025, the Narendra Modi government cut GST rate on soaps to small cars, while doing away with the compensation cess altogether. That made hundreds of items cheaper but reduced the monthly revenue for the government exchequer.

Current Affairs

Data for Development

♦ The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) on 1 January 2025 unveiled a new logo and mascot as part of efforts to modernise its institutional identity and improve public outreach. The launch marks a step towards reinforcing the role of official statistics in policy formulation and nation-building, while promoting data-driven governance and transparency. ♦ According to the Ministry, the new logo reflects the theme “Data for Development” and highlights the importance of statistics in India’s economic and social progress. The design incorporates the Ashoka Chakra to symbolise truth, transparency and good governance, while the Rupee symbol at the centre underlines the role of statistical data in economic planning and policymaking. ♦ The logo also features numerical elements representing modern data systems and statistical science, along with an upward growth bar to indicate progress supported by reliable data. The colour palette – saffron, white, green and deep blue – draws from India’s national colours and signifies growth, sustainability, stability and knowledge.

Current Affairs

Zohran Mamdani

♦ Indian-origin Zohran Mamdani was sworn in as New York City's mayor, beginning a four-year term. He made history as he took his oath of office on a centuries-old Quran, becoming the first mayor of the city to be sworn in on Islam’s holy book. Mamdani was also the first Muslim, the first South Asian and the first African-born individual to hold the city’s top executive position. ♦ Born on October 18, 1991, in Kampala, Uganda, Mamdani is the son of Indian-origin parents and acclaimed filmmaker Mira Nair, known for films such as Salaam Bombay! and Monsoon Wedding, and Mahmood Mamdani, an Indian-born Ugandan academic. ♦ In 2019, Mamdani won a seat in the New York State Assembly from the 36th District, representing Astoria and Long Island City, where he focused on issues such as housing, transit affordability and immigrant rights, priorities that shaped his mayoral bid.

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