Daily Current Affairs- 2nd January 2026

Daily Current Affairs- 2nd January 2026

Centre Appoints New Chief Justices for Kerala, Patna and Meghalaya High Courts

In the News: The Union Government of India notified a set of key judicial appointments and transfers appointing new Chief Justices for the Kerala, Patna, and Meghalaya High Courts, acting on recommendations from the Supreme Court Collegium headed by the Chief Justice of India.

Key Points:

• Judicial Reshuffle Notified: The Ministry of Law and Justice issued notifications transferring and appointing top judicial posts at the Kerala, Patna and Meghalaya High Courts under Articles 217 and 222 of the Constitution.
• Kerala High Court: Justice Soumen Sen, previously Chief Justice of the Meghalaya High Court, has been transferred and appointed as the Chief Justice of the Kerala High Court. He will take charge following the retirement of incumbent CJ Nitin Madhukar Jamdar on January 9, 2026.
• Meghalaya High Court: Upon Justice Sen’s transfer, Justice Revati Prashant Mohite Dere — a senior judge of the Bombay High Court — was appointed Chief Justice of the Meghalaya High Court.
• Patna High Court: Justice Sangam Kumar Sahoo, a judge of the Orissa High Court, has been appointed Chief Justice of the Patna High Court and will assume office from the date he takes charge.
• Collegium Recommendation: These appointments and transfer followed the recommendations of the Supreme Court Collegium made in its December 18, 2025 meeting.
• Constitutional Basis: The President of India issued the notifications under Article 217 (appointment of Chief Justices) and Article 222 (transfer of judges), after consultation with the Chief Justice of India.

MoSPI Unveils New Logo and Mascot to Promote Data-Driven Governance

In the News: The Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation (MoSPI) unveiled a new logo and mascot “सांख्यिकी (Sankhyiki)” to promote data-driven governance, strengthen public outreach, and highlight the role of official statistics in India’s national development.

Key Points:

• Launch of New Identity: MoSPI introduced a redesigned logo and mascot as part of efforts to modernise its institutional image and amplify the significance of data in governance and nation-building.
• Theme – “Data for Development”: The logo is built around the theme “Data for Development”, emphasising how reliable statistics support evidence-based policymaking across key sectors.
• Symbolism of the Logo: The logo incorporates the Ashoka Chakra symbolising truth, transparency, and good governance; the rupee (₹) symbol highlighting the role of statistics in economic planning and policy; and numerical elements and an upward growth bar reflecting modern data systems and progress.
• Colour Significance: Its colour palette—saffron, white, green, and deep blue—draws from national values such as growth, sustainability, stability, and knowledge, reinforcing trust in official statistics.
• Mascot “सांख्यिकी”: MoSPI’s mascot “सांख्यिकी (Sankhyiki)” is a friendly, citizen-centric character designed to make statistics more accessible, understandable, and engaging for the public.
• Role of Mascot in Outreach: The mascot will be used in national surveys, awareness drives, educational content, digital platforms, and public events to encourage wider participation, simplify complex concepts, and build trust in official data.

Surat Set to Become India’s First Slum-Free City

In the News: Gujarat government announced that Surat is emerging as a frontrunner to become India's first major slum-free city with a population exceeding 7 million, with the slum-dwelling population drastically reduced from 38% in 2006 to just about 5% at present, as revealed by state spokesperson minister Jitu Vaghani after a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel.

Key Points:

• Historic Achievement and Scale: Surat, known as India's "Diamond Capital" and a major textile hub, is set to become India's first large-scale slum-free city with an estimated population between 70-80 lakh (7-8 million). While Chandigarh already holds the distinction of being India's first slum-free city, its population is only around 10 lakh (1 million), making Surat's achievement far more significant in terms of scale and complexity.
• Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) Implementation: A key driver of Surat's progress has been the effective implementation of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Housing for All) along with state housing policies. Under the In-Situ Slum Redevelopment (ISSR) component of PMAY-Urban, the central government provides a slum rehabilitation grant averaging ₹1 lakh per house.
• Housing Schemes Utilized: Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) has utilized various housing schemes including VAMBAY (Valmiki Ambedkar Awas Yojana), JnNURM (Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission), Mukhya Mantri GRUH Yojana (state housing scheme), and PMAY-Urban. By 2014, SMC had already constructed around 55,000 EWS (Economically Weaker Section) and LIG (Low Income Group) housing units with huge investment.
• Three-Pronged Approach: Surat Municipal Corporation employed three different approaches to address slums: (1) Slum Upgradation - improving existing slum infrastructure with basic amenities like water, sanitation, electricity while residents remain in place; (2) Slum Redevelopment - demolishing existing slum structures and constructing new multi-storey residential buildings on the same land with modern infrastructure; (3) Slum Rehabilitation - relocating slum dwellers to newly constructed housing in different locations (earlier used for sites like Kosad and Bhestan areas) while ensuring social cohesion and access to employment.
• Gujarat Town Planning and Urban Development (GTPUD) Act, 1976: SMC follows provisions to reserve EWS (Economically Weaker Section) housing land in Town Planning (TP) Schemes through implementation of The GTPUD Act, 1976. This legislative framework ensures that urban development plans mandatorily include affordable housing components, preventing the future formation of slums.

India-UAE Desert Cyclone II Military Exercise Concludes in Abu Dhabi

In the News: The second edition of the India-UAE Joint Military Exercise "Desert Cyclone II" concluded with a formal closing ceremony at Al-Hamra Training City in Abu Dhabi, marking successful completion of intensive bilateral training between the Indian Army and UAE Land Forces conducted from December 18-30, 2025.

Key Points:

• Exercise Duration and Location: Exercise Desert Cyclone II was conducted from December 18 to 30, 2025 (13 days) at Al-Hamra Training City in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The exercise represented the second edition of this bilateral joint military training initiative, following the inaugural Desert Cyclone conducted in Mahajan, Rajasthan, India from January 2-15, 2024. The alternating host arrangement demonstrates reciprocal commitment, with the first edition held in India's desert terrain and the second in UAE's urban training facilities.
• Training Focus - Urban Warfare Operations: Exercise Desert Cyclone II concentrated on enhancing tactical capabilities in complex urban combat scenarios, reflecting contemporary security challenges where military operations increasingly occur in built-up areas. The exercise was structured around operations in urban settings under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter concerning peacekeeping operations.
• Comprehensive Training Curriculum: Troops from both sides undertook a balanced approach combining classroom-based instruction with realistic field training to ensure conceptual clarity and practical proficiency. The training curriculum included: urban combat drills and fighting in built-up areas (FIBUA), building clearance operations and room-to-room combat techniques, IED (Improvised Explosive Device) awareness and counter-IED procedures.
• First Edition Context - Desert Cyclone I (2024): The inaugural Desert Cyclone exercise was conducted from January 2-15, 2024 in Mahajan, Rajasthan, India, in the Thar Desert's semi-desert terrain. The UAE contingent (45 personnel) was represented by troops from the Zayed First Brigade, while India fielded 45 personnel from the Mechanised Infantry Regiment. The first edition focused on sub-conventional operations including fighting in built-up areas (FIBUA) in desert/semi-desert terrain under UN Charter Chapter VII.
• Broader Defense Cooperation Framework: India and UAE established diplomatic relations in 1972, with UAE opening its Embassy in Delhi in 1972 and India opening its Embassy in Abu Dhabi in 1973. The first India-UAE Joint Air Forces exercise took place in September 2008 at Al-Dhafra base in Abu Dhabi, marking the beginning of structured military cooperation. India has been a regular participant in the biennial International Defence Exhibition (IDEX) held in Abu Dhabi, showcasing defense capabilities and exploring collaborative opportunities. In 2025, Indian Navy ships INS Visakhapatnam and INS Trikand participated in bilateral naval exercise "Zayed Talwar" aimed at enhancing naval interoperability and synergy.

India and Pakistan Exchange Prisoners Lists Under Consular Pact

In the News: India and Pakistan exchanged lists of civilian prisoners and fishermen in each other's custody under the 2008 bilateral Agreement on Consular Access, marking the continuation of a humanitarian practice conducted twice annually despite severely strained diplomatic relations following the May 2025 military conflict.

Key Points:

• 2008 Consular Access Agreement Framework: The exchange took place under the provisions of the bilateral Agreement on Consular Access signed on May 21, 2008, which mandates that both countries exchange lists of prisoners in each other's custody twice every year on January 1 and July 1. The lists were shared simultaneously through diplomatic channels in New Delhi and Islamabad, maintaining a humanitarian channel of communication that has persisted despite deep political tensions.
• India's Prisoner List Disclosure: India shared comprehensive lists containing details of 391 civilian prisoners and 33 fishermen currently in its custody who are Pakistani nationals or believed to be Pakistani. The Indian government provided this information to Pakistan's High Commission in New Delhi, detailing the status, location, and circumstances of detention for these individuals.
• Pakistan's Prisoner List Disclosure: Pakistan shared lists containing details of 58 civilian prisoners and 199 fishermen currently in its custody who are Indian nationals or believed to be Indian. This information was officially handed over to representatives of the Indian High Commission in Islamabad at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The significantly higher number of Indian fishermen (199) compared to Pakistani fishermen in Indian custody (33) reflects the geographic realities of maritime boundaries and fishing patterns in the Arabian Sea, where Indian fishermen from Gujarat, Maharashtra, and other coastal states frequently face detention for alleged territorial violations.
• India's Release and Repatriation Demands: The Government of India called for early release and repatriation of all civil prisoners, fishermen along with their boats, and missing Indian defence personnel believed to be in Pakistan's custody. India specifically urged Pakistan to expedite the release and repatriation of 167 Indian fishermen and civilian prisoners who have already completed their sentences but remain detained in Pakistani jails. New Delhi emphasized that continued detention of individuals who have served their full sentences violates humanitarian principles and requested immediate action for their return to India.
• Consular Access Request for 35 Detainees: India requested Pakistan to provide immediate consular access to 35 civilian prisoners and fishermen in Pakistan's custody who are believed to be Indian nationals but have not been provided consular access so far. Consular access is a fundamental right under international law allowing diplomatic representatives to visit, communicate with, and provide assistance to detained nationals.

Amazon Stingless Bees Get Legal Rights

In the News: In a world-first legal development, Amazonian stingless bees became the first insects anywhere in the world to be granted legal rights. The Provincial Municipality of Satipo, Peru, approved Municipal Ordinance No. 33-2025-CM/MPS in late 2025, granting native stingless bees legal rights within the Avireri VRAEM Biosphere Reserve. The legislation marks a revolutionary step in protecting Peru's biodiversity and biocultural heritage, as stingless bees pollinate over 80% of Amazonian flora including globally important crops like coffee, chocolate, avocados, and blueberries, but face threats from climate change, deforestation, pesticides, and competition from invasive European honeybees.

Key Points:

• Historic Legal Precedent - First Insect with Legal Rights: Amazonian stingless bees became the first insects in history to receive formal legal recognition as rights-bearing subjects, establishing an unprecedented legal precedent with no equivalent worldwide. The Provincial Municipality of Satipo, Peru, approved Municipal Ordinance No. 33-2025-CM/MPS granting legal rights to native stingless bees within the Avireri VRAEM Biosphere Reserve, a large protected area in central Peru established by UNESCO in 2021 encompassing nearly 16,000 square miles of diverse ecosystems from the Amazon rainforest to the Andes mountains.
• Municipalities Involved - Satipo and Nauta: Two Peruvian municipalities took the lead in granting legal rights to stingless bees. Satipo, the largest and easternmost province in Peru's department of Junín, perched at the edge of the rainforest, approved the landmark ordinance in late 2025. Nauta municipality also passed similar legislation recognizing stingless bee rights. The Satipo ordinance specifically applies to the Avireri VRAEM Biosphere Reserve, positioning Satipo at the forefront of the global "rights of nature" movement. Campaigners hope this development will be a catalyst for similar moves to protect bees elsewhere in Peru and potentially inspire biodiversity policy changes far beyond South America.
• Species Protected - Native Stingless Bees (Meliponines): The ordinance protects native stingless bees, scientifically known as meliponines, including species such as Melipona eburnea, Tetragonisca angustula, Melipona illota, and Melipona grandis. Unlike their European honeybee cousins (Apis mellifera), stingless bees have no sting, making them gentle and safe to work with. These insects rank among the oldest bee species on planet Earth, having shaped tropical forests for tens of millions of years. Nearly half of the world's roughly 500 known stingless bee species live in tropical forests, with many concentrated in the Amazon rainforest.
• Critical Ecological Role - Pollinating 80% of Amazonian Flora: Stingless bees are considered "primary pollinators" in the Amazon rainforest, contributing not just to plant reproduction but also to biodiversity, forest conservation, and global food security. Researchers credit them with pollinating more than 80% of native Amazonian plant species, from forest trees to crops that support wildlife, Indigenous food systems, and global markets. Globally, wild bees play a role in pollinating more than 90% of the crops that feed the world, and stingless bees are among the most important of these species in tropical regions
• Specific Legal Rights Granted: Under the new ordinance, stingless bees and their ecosystems are entitled to comprehensive legal protections. The bees have the right to exist and flourish in their natural habitats without interference. They have the right to regenerate and maintain healthy populations within their natural environment, free of harm from invasive species or human activity.

India, Pakistan Complete Exchange of Nuclear Facility Information

In the News: India and Pakistan completed the 35th consecutive annual exchange of nuclear facility information under the 1988 Agreement on Prohibition of Attack against Nuclear Installations and Facilities, continuing a three-decade-old confidence-building measure despite severely strained bilateral relations following the May 2025 four-day military conflict.

Key Points:

• 35th Consecutive Annual Exchange: India and Pakistan simultaneously exchanged lists of nuclear installations and facilities on January 1, 2026, through diplomatic channels in New Delhi and Islamabad, marking the 35th consecutive year of this practice since the first exchange on January 1, 1992. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) confirmed that both countries exchanged information covered under the bilateral Agreement on Prohibition of Attack against Nuclear Installations and Facilities, maintaining an unbroken tradition despite deep diplomatic freeze following Operation Sindoor  during May 7-10, 2025.
• The 1988 Agreement - Origins and Legal Framework: The Agreement on Prohibition of Attack against Nuclear Installations and Facilities between India and Pakistan was signed on December 31, 1988, and entered into force on January 27, 1991. The agreement mandates that both countries inform each other of nuclear installations and facilities covered under the pact on January 1 of every calendar year, providing inter alia (among other things) the obligation to share detailed information about specified nuclear sites.
• Facilities Covered Under Agreement: The agreement covers a broad spectrum of nuclear facilities including nuclear power plants, research reactors, fuel fabrication units, uranium enrichment facilities, isotope separation plants, spent fuel reprocessing units, and storage sites containing large quantities of radioactive materials
• Context of Strained Bilateral Relations: The exchange occurred despite bilateral ties remaining under "deep freeze" following India's Operation Sindoor launched in response to a major terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, resulting in four days of military hostilities from May 7-10, 2025.
• India's Release and Repatriation Demands: The Government of India called for early release and repatriation of all civil prisoners, fishermen along with their boats, and missing Indian defence personnel from Pakistan's custody. India specifically urged Pakistan to expedite the release and repatriation of 167 Indian fishermen and civilian prisoners who have already completed their sentences but remain detained in Pakistani jails.
• Repatriation Statistics Since 2014: As a result of sustained efforts by the Government of India, 2,661 Indian fishermen and 71 Indian civilian prisoners have been repatriated from Pakistan since 2014, demonstrating some humanitarian cooperation despite political tensions. This includes 500 Indian fishermen and 13 Indian civilian prisoners who have been repatriated from Pakistan between 2023 and early 2026.

Turkmenistan Legalises Crypto Mining and Exchanges

In the News: Turkmenistan officially legalized cryptocurrency mining and exchanges, marking a major policy shift for one of the world's most isolated and tightly-controlled economies. President Serdar Berdimuhamedov signed the "Law of Turkmenistan on Virtual Assets" in November 2025, bringing digital assets under civil law for the first time and establishing a comprehensive licensing regime for miners, exchanges, and custodial services overseen by the Central Bank of Turkmenistan. The legislation, which aims to attract foreign investment and stimulate digitalization in the gas-dependent economy, defines cryptocurrencies strictly as "property or investment instruments" rather than legal tender, prohibiting their use for purchasing goods or services.

Key Points:

• Law Signed and Effective Date: President Serdar Berdimuhamedov signed the "Law of Turkmenistan on Virtual Assets" on November 28, 2025, with the legislation officially taking effect on January 1, 2026. The timing marks a significant New Year development for the Central Asian nation, bringing cryptocurrency activities into the country's formal legal framework after years of operating in a regulatory gray area. The implementation represents one of the most significant economic policy shifts in Turkmenistan since gaining independence from the Soviet Union in 1991.
• Two Categories of Virtual Assets Defined: The law divides virtual assets into two distinct legal categories with different characteristics and regulatory implications. Secured Virtual Assets are defined as those backed by underlying property or tangible assets, providing holders with claims on real-world value through asset-backing mechanisms similar to asset-backed securities. Unsecured Virtual Assets include cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and similar tokens that derive value from market demand, technological utility, and network effects rather than backing by physical assets or government guarantees.
• Mandatory KYC, AML Compliance, and Transparency Requirements: Cryptocurrency exchanges and custodial platforms must enforce rigorous Know Your Customer (KYC) and Anti-Money Laundering (AML) rules in accordance with international standards and domestic regulations.
• Covert Mining and Cryptojacking Banned: The legislation explicitly prohibits covert mining practices, including cryptojacking—the unauthorized use of others' computing resources to mine cryptocurrencies. Cryptojacking typically involves malware that secretly installs mining software on victims' computers or exploits website visitors' processors without consent.

Explained: Iran’s latest protests, where Trump said the US was ‘locked and loaded’

In the News: US President Donald Trump warned Iran that America is "locked and loaded and ready to go" if the Islamic Republic violently kills peaceful protesters, as nationwide economic demonstrations that began in late December 2025 turned deadly with at least seven fatalities reported, prompting sharp exchanges between Washington and Tehran.

Key Points:

• Trump's "Locked and Loaded" Warning: President Trump posted on Truth Social early Friday, January 2, 2026, stating "If Iran shoots and violently kills peaceful protesters, which is their custom, the United States of America will come to their rescue. We are locked and loaded and ready to go." The warning came after economic protests in Iran took a violent turn with multiple deaths reported among both protesters and security forces, marking the most significant intervention threat by a US president regarding Iranian domestic unrest.
• Trigger - Currency Collapse and Economic Crisis: Protests erupted on December 28-29, 2025, after Iran's rial plunged to a historic low of 1.45 million rials per US dollar (later recovering slightly to 1.38 million), compared to 820,000 rials a year earlier and just 32,000 rials at the time of the 2015 nuclear accord. The currency lost nearly half its value in 2025 alone, devastating purchasing power and triggering shopkeeper strikes initially in Tehran's Grand Bazaar and Alaeddin Shopping Centre before spreading nationwide to cities including Isfahan, Shiraz, Mashhad, Kermanshah, Hamadan, Yazd, and Fasa.
• Devastating Inflation and Cost of Living: Iran's inflation rate reached 42.2% in December 2025 (up from 48.6% in October), with food prices surging 72% year-on-year and health/medical goods increasing 50% according to Iran's state statistics center. The economic collapse made basic necessities unaffordable for ordinary Iranians, with shopkeepers warning that continued conditions would lead to bankruptcy of many small and medium-sized businesses. Iran's economy contracted by 0.6% (0.8% excluding oil) in the first half of fiscal year 1404 despite modest oil sector growth of 1.1%.
• Root Causes - Sanctions and Regional Conflicts: Iran's economic crisis stems from years of Western sanctions intensified after Trump withdrew from the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) nuclear deal in 2018 during his first term and reimposed maximum pressure sanctions. The situation worsened in 2025 following the Twelve-Day War with Israel in June 2025 (when US and Israel struck Iranian nuclear enrichment facilities), and September 2025 reimposition of UN nuclear-related sanctions through the "snapback" mechanism, freezing Iranian assets abroad, halting arms transactions, and imposing ballistic missile penalties.

India Records 166 Tiger Deaths in 2025, NTCA Data Shows

In the News: India recorded the loss of 166 tigers in 2025, marking a sharp rise of 40 deaths compared to 126 in 2024, according to the latest official data compiled by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) and state forest departments. The figures, released on the first day of the New Year, represent the highest annual tiger mortality in the country in over a decade. Of the 166 deceased tigers, 31 were cubs, with experts attributing a large share of deaths to territorial infighting driven by space constraints, while approximately 60% of fatalities occurred outside protected areas, raising concerns over habitat fragmentation and human-wildlife conflict despite India's growing tiger population of 3,682 as per the 2022 census.

Key Points:

• Total Tiger Deaths - 166 in 2025: India, home to the world's largest tiger population, lost 166 tigers in 2025 due to various natural and human-induced causes, as per the latest data from the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA). This figure represents a significant increase of 40 deaths—a 31.7% rise—compared to 126 tiger deaths reported in 2024. The 166 fatalities mark the second-highest annual tiger mortality in the last five years, surpassed only by 2023 when India recorded its worst year with 182 tiger deaths.
• State-wise Breakdown - Madhya Pradesh Tops: Madhya Pradesh, dubbed the country's 'tiger state' and home to the highest tiger population in the world with 785 tigers according to the 2022 census, recorded the highest number of deaths at 55 tigers—accounting for approximately 33% of the national total. Following Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra reported 38 tiger deaths (some sources cite 28, reflecting reporting variations), making it the second-most affected state. Karnataka recorded 22 tiger deaths (some sources cite 15), followed by Uttarakhand with 18 deaths. Other states with significant losses included Kerala with 13 tiger deaths, Assam with 12, and Rajasthan with 11.
• Cub Mortality - 31 Cubs Lost: Of the 166 deceased tigers, 31 were cubs, highlighting the particular vulnerability of younger animals to various threats. However, in 2025, the NTCA began comprehensively reporting cub deaths, providing a more complete picture of tiger mortality across all age groups. The 31 cub deaths represent approximately 18.7% of total fatalities. Wildlife biologists note that cub mortality is a natural part of tiger population dynamics, with typically only 50% of cubs surviving to adulthood even under favorable conditions.
• First Death of 2025 - January 2 in Maharashtra: The year's first tiger fatality was reported from the Bramhapuri forest division in Maharashtra on January 2, 2025, where an adult male tiger died. This incident, involving a dominant male in Maharashtra's Bramhapuri region, set a grim tone for the year ahead.
• India's Tiger Population - 3,682 in 2022 Census: According to the last official All-India Tiger Estimation (AITE) data released on International Tiger Day in 2023, the number of tigers in India increased from 2,967 in 2018 to 3,682 in 2022—an addition of 715 tigers representing an annual growth rate of approximately 6%. India is estimated to host nearly 75% of the world's tiger population, making it the global stronghold for this critically endangered species. The country now has 53 tiger reserves covering approximately 75,000 square kilometers.
• Project Tiger - 50+ Years of Conservation: The current tiger mortality challenges must be viewed against the backdrop of Project Tiger, India's flagship conservation program launched in 1973 when tiger numbers had plummeted to an estimated 1,800 or fewer. Over five decades, Project Tiger has achieved remarkable success, elevating India's tiger population from critically low levels to 3,682 by 2022—nearly doubling from around 2,000 in the early 2000s.