SpaceX launched the COSMO-SkyMed Second Generation-Flight Model 3 satellite. The mission was conducted for the Italian Space Agency using a Falcon 9 rocket. It marked the first global orbital launch of the year 2026.

Calamaria mizoramensis is a newly discovered species of non-venomous reed snake found in Mizoram. It is nocturnal and semi-fossorial, meaning it lives partly underground. The snake is small in size, with a dark brown to blackish body and a yellow underside.

Local governments in Peru passed a landmark ordinance granting legal rights to Amazonian stingless bees. The law recognizes their right to exist, survive, and flourish in their natural ecosystem. It highlights the importance of pollinators to the Amazon rainforest and Indigenous livelihoods.

Candida auris is a multidrug-resistant fungal pathogen that has spread globally. It can cause severe invasive infections such as bloodstream infections and meningitis and affects approximately 6.5 million people annually.

Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited rolled out Voice over Wi-Fi, also known as Wi-Fi Calling, across all telecom circles in India. The service enables users to make calls and send messages over Wi-Fi using their existing mobile number. It is especially useful in remote areas and locations with weak cellular signals and is provided free of cost.

The National Test House operates under the Department of Consumer Affairs within the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution. It is India’s largest multi-location central government testing laboratory and was recently empanelled by the National Highways Authority of India.

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways proposed the Battery Pack Aadhaar Number system. It is a 21-character unique identification number for electric vehicle batteries. The initiative aims to ensure end-to-end traceability throughout the battery lifecycle.

The RQ-170 Sentinel is a stealth unmanned aerial vehicle developed by the United States. It was designed by Lockheed Martin’s Skunk Works division. The drone supports intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and electronic warfare missions. It was recently sighted at a naval base in Puerto Rico.

The Close Quarter Battle Carbine is a compact firearm developed under the Indigenous Design, Development and Manufacturing initiative. It was designed by the Armament Research and Development Establishment in Pune, a laboratory of the Defence Research and Development Organisation. The Ministry of Defence signed contracts worth ₹4,666 crore for these carbines. Manufacturing is carried out by Bharat Forge Limited.

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology launched and oversees the scheme. Twenty-two proposals with an investment of ₹41,863 crore have been approved. The scheme covers eleven product segments including mobile and automotive electronics.

The Defence Research and Development Organisation developed the Sea Water Desalination System. It was designed to meet drinking water needs of soldiers deployed in remote and saline areas. The system can be manually operated or engine-driven and is suitable for naval and high-altitude deployments such as Pangong Tso.

The Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, Pune, is leading the project. It is part of Mission Mausam, a ₹2,000 crore programme of the Ministry of Earth Sciences. These stations automatically record rainfall, temperature, humidity, and wind data. The first installations are planned for Delhi starting February 2026.

The Chinese Pangolin (Manis pentadactyla) is listed as Critically Endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List. Researchers have incorporated the local ecological knowledge of the Adi community to enhance tracking and conservation efforts.

Russia’s Ministry of Defence announced that the nuclear-capable Oreshnik hypersonic ballistic missile system has entered active service. The missile has a range between 500 and 5,500 kilometres and can attain speeds of up to Mach 10.

Suryastra is India’s first universal multi-calibre rocket launcher. It was developed by NIBE Limited in collaboration with Israel. The system supports precision strikes up to 300 kilometres. It can launch multiple rocket types and loitering munitions with high accuracy.

Cellulitis is most commonly caused by Staphylococcus and Streptococcus bacteria. It affects deeper layers of skin, particularly the legs and feet. Open wounds and weakened immunity increase susceptibility. The condition is generally not contagious but can spread via open wounds.

Salal is a 690 Megawatt run-of-the-river hydroelectric project located in the Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir. It was India’s first hydropower project established under the Indus Waters Treaty regime in Kashmir. The project is owned by the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation. Jammu and Kashmir receives 12.5 percent of the power, with the remainder supplied to the Northern Grid.

India became the world’s largest rice producer by surpassing China. Total rice production reached 150.18 million tonnes. The achievement is due to improved farming practices and climate-resilient seed varieties. Additionally, 184 new crop varieties were released to boost agricultural productivity.

Project Himank is a Border Roads Organization (BRO) initiative started in 1985 in the Ladakh region. Its main objective is to develop and maintain road communication in Ladakh\'s high-altitude terrain, ensuring strategic connectivity near the Line of Actual Control (LAC).

The Gujarat Government, led by Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, approved the Indian Artificial Intelligence Research Organization at Gujarat International Finance Tec-City, Gandhinagar. This made Gujarat the first state in India to establish a national Artificial Intelligence research institution under a Public-Private Partnership model.

The first Vande Bharat Sleeper Train will connect Guwahati and Howrah. It will include 16 air-conditioned coaches with modern overnight travel features. The service is designed for long-distance night journeys.