Agriculture: Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan released 184 new crop varieties across 25 crops, including 122 cereal varieties.
Biodiversity: The Piprahwa Buddhist relics exhibition opened in New Delhi, reuniting artefacts after 127 years.
Aquaculture: India's first commercial-scale tropical trout Recirculating Aquaculture System (RAS) facility inaugurated in Hyderabad.
AYUSH: India-Oman CEPA and India-New Zealand FTA formally recognise AYUSH systems; AYUSH exports grew to 688.89 million USD in 2024-25.
Sports: PM Modi virtually inaugurated the 72nd National Volleyball Championship in Varanasi.
1. 184 new crop varieties released across 25 crops
GS area: Agriculture, Science and Technology
The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare released 184 newly developed crop varieties at a New Delhi event chaired by Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan.
Breakdown by crop type:
122 cereal varieties (the largest category, covering wheat, rice, maize and coarse cereals).
24 cotton varieties.
13 oilseed varieties.
11 fodder crop varieties.
6 pulse varieties.
6 sugarcane varieties.
1 jute and 1 tobacco variety.
Significance: New varieties are tested for yield, climate resilience, pest resistance and nutritional quality before release. A higher number of varieties gives farmers in different agro-climatic zones access to location-appropriate seeds.
Context: India achieved 150.18 million tonnes of rice production in 2024-25, surpassing China (145.28 MT) for the first time to become the world's largest rice producer.
Rice production leadership and state-wise shares are a prelims staple. Telangana leads at 16.63 MT, followed by Uttar Pradesh at 15.72 MT and West Bengal at 15.12 MT.
Static linkage: Seed development, crop production statistics.
2. Piprahwa relics: "The Light and the Lotus" exhibition
GS area: Art and Culture, Ancient History
PM Modi inaugurated "The Light and the Lotus" exhibition at Rai Pithora Cultural Complex, New Delhi on 3 January, opening for public viewing from 4 January.
Relics: Buddhist artefacts from the 6th century BCE onwards found at Piprahwa in Uttar Pradesh.
Piprahwa: A site in the Siddharthnagar district of Uttar Pradesh identified as a possible location of Kapilavastu, the city associated with the Buddha's early life.
Historical gap: The relics were separated from India for 127 years before repatriation, enabled through a public-private partnership with Godrej Industries Group.
Over 80 artefacts on display, including relic caskets, jewellery and stone sculptures.
Relevance to prelims: Piprahwa, along with Lumbini (Nepal) and Bodh Gaya (Bihar), is part of the Buddhist heritage circuit relevant to questions on ancient India and UNESCO sites.
Static linkage: Buddhist heritage, art and architecture of ancient India.
3. India's first tropical trout RAS facility
GS area: Economy, Agriculture
The first commercial-scale Recirculating Aquaculture System (RAS) facility for tropical trout was inaugurated at SGA Farm and Research Institute in Hyderabad.
RAS technology: A closed-loop system that continuously filters and recirculates water, allowing fish farming with minimal water use. It prevents disease spread and enables precision nutrition management.
Tropical trout: Growing cold-water fish in warm tropical conditions requires RAS technology to maintain the lower temperature trout need.
Training role: The facility doubles as a training centre for advanced aquaculture practices, targeting entrepreneurs and fishery officers.
Policy context: The Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) is the central scheme supporting aquaculture infrastructure. India is the second-largest fish producer globally.
Static linkage: Blue economy, fisheries development, PMMSY.
4. AYUSH recognition in FTAs
GS area: Economy, International Relations
Two separate trade agreements formally recognised India's AYUSH system of medicine:
India-Oman CEPA (Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement): Includes provisions recognising AYUSH practitioners and products.
India-New Zealand FTA: Similar recognition enabling market access for AYUSH products.
AYUSH exports: Grew from 649.2 million USD in 2023-24 to 688.89 million USD in 2024-25, a roughly 6% increase.
AYUSH definition: Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy. The Ministry of AYUSH was established as a separate ministry in 2014.
Recognition in FTAs is significant because it provides market access and regulatory parity for AYUSH products in partner countries without requiring them to be classified as allopathic pharmaceuticals.
The 72nd National Volleyball Championship opened at Dr. Sampurnanand Sports Stadium, Varanasi on 4 January 2026.
Scale: Over 1,000 players across 58 teams.
Mascots: Nandu (a Nandi bull) and Neera (a Ganga River Dolphin). The choice of a scheduled species as a mascot carries a conservation message.
Ganga River Dolphin relevance: The Ganga River Dolphin (Platanista gangetica) is India's National Aquatic Animal. It is listed under Schedule 1 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972, the highest protection category.
Static linkage: National aquatic animal, sports governance.
6. DSIR Foundation Day: relaxed rules for deep-tech startups
GS area: Science and Technology, Economy
The Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR) celebrated its 42nd Foundation Day.
Change announced: The 3-year eligibility requirement for deep-tech startups applying for DSIR financial assistance was relaxed. This allows newer startups to access support sooner.
Maximum financial assistance: 1 crore rupees per startup under DSIR's PRISM scheme.
New initiatives: PRISM Network Platform (connecting startups with labs), Creative India 2025 (innovation promotion) and DSIR Disaster Management Plan.
DSIR role: A department under the Ministry of Science and Technology that promotes scientific research and technology development in industries. It grants recognition to R&D units of Indian industry.
Static linkage: Science and Technology policy, startup ecosystem.
7. National Siddha Day (January 6 context)
GS area: Art and Culture, Health
The 9th National Siddha Day was observed on 3 January 2026 with the main event in Chennai. The theme was "Siddha for Global Health."
Siddha medicine: One of the oldest systems of medicine, originating in Tamil Nadu. Named after the "Siddhars," Tamil saints who developed the system.
Sage Agathiyar: Considered the father of Siddha medicine.
Distinction from Ayurveda: Siddha is largely practised in Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka. It uses minerals, metals and herbal preparations. It is one of the seven systems under the AYUSH umbrella.
World Day of War Orphans: Observed on January 6 to raise awareness for children who lose parents to armed conflict. Proposed in 1994 by the French NGO SOS Enfants en Detresse.
Static linkage: AYUSH systems, traditional medicine.
The Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) Pune developed indigenously designed 3D-printed Automatic Weather Stations under Mission Mausam.
Deployment plan: First 50 units in Delhi from February 2026. A further 80 planned for Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai.
Solar-powered: With real-time data transmission capability, reducing dependence on grid electricity in remote locations.
Mission Mausam: The government programme to modernise India's meteorological infrastructure with indigenous systems. IITM Pune is a premier climate research institution under the Ministry of Earth Sciences.
Static linkage: Weather monitoring, India Meteorological Department.
9. Tamil Nadu Assured Pension Scheme (TAPS)
GS area: Economy, Governance
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin announced the Tamil Nadu Assured Pension Scheme (TAPS) for state government employees.
Pension guarantee: 50% of the last drawn basic pay, mirroring the Old Pension Scheme.
Employee contribution: 10% of basic pay.
Additional benefits: Dearness allowance revised twice yearly. Family pension at 60% of the assured pension. Gratuity ceiling raised to 25 lakh rupees.
Fiscal cost: Estimated one-time outlay of 13,000 crore rupees and approximately 11,000 crore rupees annually.
Context: TAPS follows several states reverting to Defined Benefit (OPS-style) pensions after the criticism of the National Pension System (NPS) for its market exposure.
Static linkage: Pension reform, state finances.
10. Briefly noted
SeaWater Desalination System (SWaDeS): Developed by DRDO's Defence Laboratory, Jodhpur. The manual variant serves 10 to 12 personnel; the engine-operated variant serves 20 to 25. It desalts seawater from 35,000 mg/L TDS to below 500 mg/L. Includes CBRN (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear) water purification module.
UPI Autopay capacity: TechFini's UPI Switch handles 10,000 transactions per second, supporting NPCI's autopay framework for EMI and loan repayments.
Practice MCQs
Check yourself
India became the world's largest rice producer in 2024-25 with an output of 150.18 million tonnes. Which state contributed the largest share?
Check yourself
The Ganga River Dolphin (Platanista gangetica) is India's National Aquatic Animal. Under which schedule of the Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972 is it listed?
Check yourself
AYUSH in India's policy framework stands for:
Check yourself
Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (RAS) are considered superior to conventional aquaculture because:
Check yourself
Consider the following about the Tamil Nadu Assured Pension Scheme (TAPS): 1. It guarantees 50% of last-drawn basic pay. 2. It is a zero-contribution scheme for employees. 3. It sets the family pension at 60% of the assured pension. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?