IMPORTANT DAYS

World Braille Day 2026 observed on January 4.

• World Braille Day is observed annually on 4 January to highlight the significance of Braille worldwide.

• The date commemorates the birth of Louis Braille (1809, France), the inventor of the Braille writing system.

• The United Nations officially designated 4 January as World Braille Day, with global observance beginning in 2019.

• The day focuses on raising awareness about Braille as a vital communication tool for the rights of blind and partially sighted persons.

• Braille is a code, not a language, and can be used to read and write multiple languages, including Sanskrit, Arabic, Chinese, Hebrew and Spanish.

• It uses a six-dot tactile system to represent letters, numbers and symbols.

• Braille enables independent learning and dignified living for persons with visual impairment.

• In India, the National Federation of the Blind organised a function in New Delhi and launched the campaign “More Braille, More Empowerment” to promote equality and inclusion.

APPOINTMENTS

Justice Mahesh Sonak Appointed Chief Justice of Jharkhand High Court

• The Central Government has approved the appointment of Justice Mahesh Sharadchandra Sonak as the Chief Justice of the Jharkhand High Court.

• The decision was formally cleared by President Droupadi Murmu, as notified by the Union Ministry of Law and Justice.

• Justice Sonak is currently serving as a judge of the Bombay High Court.

• He will assume charge on the 8th of this month, following the retirement of the present Chief Justice.

• The appointment is based on the recommendation of the Supreme Court Collegium.

• In the same notification, the Centre also announced judicial appointments to the Punjab and Haryana High Court.

• Justice Ramesh Chander Dimri and Justice Neerja Kulwant Kalson have been appointed as Additional Judges.

• Their tenure as Additional Judges has been fixed at two years.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

India Emerges as the World’s Largest Rice Producer

• India has overtaken China to become the top rice-producing nation globally, as announced on 4 January 2026 by Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan in New Delhi.

• The country’s rice output has reached 150.18 million tonnes, surpassing China’s 145.28 million tonnes.

• Higher production levels have strengthened India’s capacity to supply rice to international markets.

• Alongside this milestone, the Minister released 184 improved crop varieties in the national capital.

• These new varieties have been developed by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).

• The release includes 122 cereals, 6 pulses, 13 oilseeds, 11 fodder crops, 6 sugarcane, 24 cotton, and one variety each of jute and tobacco.

• The achievement is linked to the adoption of high-yielding, climate-resilient seed technologies.

• Authorities have been instructed to ensure quick distribution of these seeds to farmers, reflecting joint efforts by ICAR, agricultural universities and private seed firms.

Bulgaria Adopts the Euro: A Major Economic Shift

• Bulgaria has officially adopted the euro, becoming the 21st country to join the eurozone and deepening its integration with the European Union.

• The move marks the end of the Bulgarian lev, the national currency in use since 1881, after years of economic preparation.

• Since 1997, the lev had already been pegged to European currencies, first the Deutschmark and later the euro, easing the transition.

• Public opinion remains divided, with many welcoming economic stability while others worry about price rises and loss of national identity.

• The change follows Bulgaria’s gradual integration into Europe, including membership of NATO, the EU, and the Schengen Area.

• To ensure a smooth shift, prices have been displayed in both currencies, and January allows payments in lev or euro, with change given in euros.

• From 1 February, the lev will no longer be accepted, and euro coins and small notes have already been supplied to businesses.

• The eurozone consists of EU countries using the euro under common monetary policies led by the European Central Bank, with entry requiring strict economic criteria.

NATIONAL NEWS

AYUSHEXCIL Marks Four Years of Promoting AYUSH Exports

• The fourth foundation anniversary of the Ayush Export Promotion Council (AYUSHEXCIL) was observed on 4 January in New Delhi.

• The occasion underlined India’s growing push to expand exports of traditional medicine and wellness products.

• Since its inception, the Council has focused on capacity building, export facilitation and industry support.

• It has strengthened export processes, regulatory compliance and global outreach initiatives.

• AYUSH and herbal product exports rose by 6.11% between 2023–24 and 2024–25, reflecting steady growth.

• India’s AYUSH systems have gained formal recognition in trade agreements such as the India–Oman CEPA and India–New Zealand FTA.

• These agreements include specific provisions on traditional medicine and health services, improving international market access.

• AYUSHEXCIL now anchors the Ayush Quality Mark programme, launched at the 2nd WHO Summit on Traditional Medicine (December 2025), and aims to boost global certification and acceptance with support from the Ministries of Ayush and Commerce & Industry.

STATE NEWS

Telangana Assembly Clears Key Reforms, Ends Two-Child Norm

• The Telangana Legislative Assembly unanimously passed four Bills, signalling major legal and administrative reforms.

• A key change came through the Telangana Panchayat Raj (Amendment) Bill, 2026, which removes the two-child condition for contesting local body elections.

• The restriction, introduced in 1994, was originally aimed at addressing population growth, poverty and employment concerns.

• The State government noted that demographic patterns have shifted, with rural Telangana’s fertility rate now at 1.7 children per woman.

• The repeal is intended to align electoral laws with current population realities and safeguard the State’s future workforce.

• Another amendment under the Panchayat Raj framework renames Jaintirumalapoor village as Jayanna Tirumalapur in Wanaparthy mandal.

• The Assembly also approved two public service amendment Bills introduced by Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka.

• These laws aim to streamline government recruitment, rationalise staff strength and revise pay structures, strengthening administrative efficiency.

AWARDS

Winners Announced for ‘Badalta Bharat Mera Anubhav’ Creative Challenges

• The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has declared the winners of the Badalta Bharat Mera Anubhav creative competitions.

• A total of four creative challenges were conducted under the campaign in partnership with the MyGov platform.

• The initiative encouraged citizens from across India to showcase the country’s transformation over the last 11 years through creative content.

• Participants from varied age groups and backgrounds shared personal stories reflecting development and governance reforms.

• Entries highlighted the impact of rapid growth and policy-driven change across multiple sectors.

• Indrajeet Subodh Mashankar secured the top prize in the Instagram Reel Contest category.

• Manthan Rohit emerged as the first prize winner in the YouTube Shorts Challenge, while Sushovan Manna topped the Short AV – Story of New India category.

• Krishna Gupta won the Blog Writing Contest, completing the list of first-prize winners.

SPORTS

2nd Khelo India Beach Games Hosted at Diu

• The second edition of the Khelo India Beach Games is taking place at Ghoghla Beach, Diu, starting 5 January.

• The event is being hosted by the Union Territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu.

• Competitions will run for six days, from 5 to 10 January.

• Over 2,100 athletes from across the country are expected to take part.

• Sports Authority of India and national sports federations are providing technical oversight.

• Six disciplines will award medals, including beach soccer, beach volleyball, beach sepak takraw, beach kabaddi, pencak silat and open water swimming.

• Mallakhamb and tug-of-war have been included as non-medal events.

• The games aim to popularise beach and indigenous sports and strengthen a sporting culture among youth nationwide.