The Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897 serves as the legal foundation for the notification of diseases in India. A notifiable disease must be reported to government health authorities. This helps in monitoring disease trends and detecting outbreaks at an early stage. Notification depends on severity, communicability, and international spread potential.

Atiqa Mir finished fifth in her debut in the junior S125 category at Yas Marina Circuit. She is the first Indian and first female to achieve a top-five finish in the championship. She missed the podium by only 0.4 seconds in a 35-driver field.

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.

National Bird Day has been observed on January 5 since 2002. The day promotes bird conservation and ecological awareness. In India, it highlights the Indian Peafowl, protected under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. Birds are key indicators of environmental health and ecosystem balance.

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.

The games began on January 5, 2026 at Ghoghla Beach in Diu. More than 2,100 athletes are participating in eight sports disciplines. The event is organized by the Union Territory administration and runs until January 10.

World Day of War Orphans is observed every year on January 6. It raises awareness about the challenges faced by children orphaned due to conflict. The day emphasizes the need for rehabilitation and protection measures. UNICEF estimates around 140 million orphans worldwide.

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.

Gulf Shield 2026 is a joint exercise involving all Gulf Cooperation Council member states. It focuses on joint operational integration and combat readiness. The drills test unified military planning and response to regional threats.

The Indian Army declared 2026 as the Year of Networking and Data Centricity. The focus is on real-time decision-making and treating data as a critical combat asset. The initiative aims to enable seamless coordination among the Army, Navy, and Air Force. This move is intended to enhance overall combat effectiveness.

The Design Linked Incentive Scheme is implemented by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology under the Semicon India Programme. It aims to strengthen India’s position in the global semiconductor design value chain. The scheme provides financial incentives and design infrastructure support to Start-ups and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises. Its objectives include reducing import dependence and increasing domestic value addition.

Taimoor is an indigenously developed air-launched cruise missile designed to strike land and sea targets with high precision. It uses subsonic turbojet propulsion and has a strike range of up to 600 kilometres. Stealth features include a box-shaped fuselage, X-type tail, and foldable wings. The missile flies at very low altitude to evade enemy radar systems.

The report was released by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. It analyses economic trends with a focus on Disaster Risk Financing. The report notes that India, China, and ASEAN countries face about 100 natural disasters annually. It stresses the need for stronger financial resilience mechanisms in emerging Asia.

Indian Coast Guard Ship Samudra Pratap was commissioned on January 5, 2026. It is India’s first indigenously designed pollution control vessel. The ship was built by Goa Shipyard Limited. It is equipped with advanced pollution detection and containment systems.

SAMPANN stands for System for Accounting and Management of Pension. It enables direct pension processing and disbursement for Department of Telecommunications pensioners. Integration with DigiLocker allows access to documents such as electronic Pension Payment Orders and Form 16. The system enhances transparency and efficiency in pension administration.