Daily Current Affairs- 6th January 2026

Daily Current Affairs- 6th January 2026

Delhi Government Brings Finances Under RBI Framework with Historic MoU

In the News: The Government of NCT of Delhi signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Reserve Bank of India, bringing Delhi's finances under the RBI's full banking, cash management, and debt framework for the first time.

Key Points:

• Historic MoU Signed: The Delhi Government signed the MoU with RBI at the Delhi Secretariat on January 6, 2026. The meeting was chaired by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, who also holds the Finance portfolio, with senior officials including Additional Chief Secretary (Finance) Bipul Pathak and Chief Secretary Rajiv Verma in attendance.
• RBI's Role as Financial Agent: Under the agreement, the Reserve Bank of India will function as the banker, debt manager, and financial agent of the Government of NCT of Delhi. This enables market borrowings through State Development Loans, automatic investment of surplus cash, professional cash management, and access to low-cost liquidity facilities, all within the framework prescribed by the Government of India and the RBI Act.
• Reduced Borrowing Costs: For the first time, Delhi will raise funds from the open market at competitive interest rates of approximately 7 percent through State Development Loans, replacing earlier high-cost borrowing at interest rates of 12 to 13 percent from alternative sources.
• Automatic Investment of Surplus Funds: Any excess cash balance with the Delhi government will now be invested daily through RBI mechanisms, ensuring interest income and preventing idle public funds. In the past, large sums remained unutilized, leading to revenue losses for the government.
• Access to Liquidity Facilities: The MoU provides Delhi access to Ways and Means Advances and Special Drawing Facilities to manage temporary cash flow mismatches without resorting to emergency borrowing or financial strain.

Somnath Swabhiman Parv

In the News: India is observing the Somnath Swabhiman Parv in 2026 to commemorate 1,000 years since the first attack on the Somnath Temple by Mahmud of Ghazni in January 1026. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will participate in special programmes at Somnath Temple on January 11, 2026, marking the beginning of year-long celebrations that honor the temple's enduring spirit and India's civilizational resilience. The central theme of the observance is "Unbroken Faith."

Key Points:

• Historical Significance: The year 2026 marks 1,000 years since January 6, 1026, when Mahmud of Ghazni attacked the Somnath Temple in a violent invasion aimed at destroying a great symbol of faith and civilization. Despite repeated attacks over centuries, the temple stands glorious today as a testament to India's indomitable spirit.
• Somnath Temple's Religious Importance: The Somnath Temple is located at Prabhas Patan on Gujarat's western coast and is revered as the first among the 12 Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva. The Dwadasha Jyotirling Stotram begins with "Saurashtre Somanatham Cha," symbolizing Somnath's civilizational and spiritual importance. Ancient texts including the Shiva Purana, Skandpuran, Shreemad Bhagavat, and Rig-Veda contain references to this sacred shrine.
• Four-Day Main Event: The Somnath Swabhiman Parv will be observed from January 8 to January 11, 2026, during which a range of programmes highlighting India's spiritual heritage, cultural pride, and social values will be held.
• Central Theme - "Unbroken Faith": The observance emphasizes "Unbroken Faith" as its central theme, symbolizing India's enduring cultural resilience.
• Post-Independence Reconstruction: Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel played a decisive and historic role in reconstructing the temple on November 13, 1947, shortly after India's independence. K.M. Munshi stood firmly with Patel in this endeavor. The restored temple was inaugurated on May 11, 1951, by India's first President, Dr. Rajendra Prasad, marking 75 years of the temple's restoration in 2026.
• Historical Context of the 1026 Attack: According to K.M. Munshi's book "Somanatha: The Shrine Eternal," Mahmud of Ghazni began his march towards Somnath on October 18, 1025, and approximately 80 days later, on January 6, 1026, attacked the fortified temple town.

What Is the Monroe Doctrine and Why Did Trump Invoke It?

In the News: President Donald Trump invoked the Monroe Doctrine following a U.S. military operation that resulted in the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. Trump coined the term "Donroe Doctrine" and declared that "American dominance in the Western Hemisphere will never be questioned again," marking a significant reassertion of U.S. influence in Latin America based on a 200-year-old foreign policy framework.

Key Points:

• Trump's Invocation of the Monroe Doctrine: On January 3, 2026, following the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro through a U.S. military strike, President Trump held a press conference at his Mar-a-Lago club in Florida, where he cited the Monroe Doctrine to justify the operation.
• The "Donroe Doctrine" Coined: Trump announced that the Monroe Doctrine has been "superseded by a lot, by a real lot" and declared, "They now call it the 'Donroe Doctrine.'" The term is a portmanteau combining "Donald" and "Monroe," and Trump emphasized that "American dominance in the Western Hemisphere will never be questioned again."
• Venezuela Operation Context: Trump justified the military action by claiming that Venezuela, under Maduro's rule, had been "increasingly hosting foreign adversaries in our region and acquiring menacing offensive weapons that could threaten U.S. interests." Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were captured and transported to New York to face U.S. charges of participating in narco-terrorism.
• Origin of the Term: The phrase "Donroe Doctrine" first appeared in a New York Post front-page headline in January 2025, and gradually worked its way into geopolitical conversations. It was mentioned on Fox News' "Fox & Friends" on January 2, 2026, one day before the Venezuela strike, describing it as "exerting America's dominance over, in this case, our western hemisphere."
• Original Monroe Doctrine (1823): President James Monroe first articulated the doctrine on December 2, 1823, during his seventh annual State of the Union address to Congress. The doctrine warned European powers not to interfere in the affairs of the Western Hemisphere, stating that "the American continents, by the free and independent condition which they have assumed and maintain, are henceforth not to be considered as subjects for future colonization by any European powers."

India’s Largest Inland Rainbow Trout Farm Launched in Telangana

In the News: Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying Rajiv Ranjan Singh (also known as Lalan Singh) inaugurated India's largest integrated inland rainbow trout farm and research institute in Kandukur Mandal, Ranga Reddy District, Telangana. Established by SmartGreen Aquaculture (SGA), a Hyderabad-based startup, this state-of-the-art facility marks a watershed moment in Indian aquaculture by successfully demonstrating that high-value cold-water species like rainbow trout can be farmed year-round in tropical climates using advanced Recirculating Aquaculture System (RAS) technology.

Key Points:

• Official Inauguration: Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh inaugurated the SmartGreen Aquaculture Farm and Research Institute on January 5, 2026, following a general body meeting in Hyderabad..
• Breaking Geographical Barriers: The facility represents India's first commercial-scale tropical RAS-based rainbow trout farm, conclusively demonstrating that premium cold-water species can thrive even in warmer regions like the Deccan Plateau.
• Facility Location and Scale: Located at Kandukur Mandal in Ranga Reddy District, Telangana, the integrated facility comprises a hatchery spread across 5 acres and a grow-out facility covering 2 acres.
• Recirculating Aquaculture System (RAS) Technology: The facility is fully based on sustainable RAS technology, which enables year-round trout production in a controlled, biosecure indoor environment. Unlike traditional open-water farming, RAS operates as an inland freshwater system that continuously recycles and treats water through advanced filtration.
• About Rainbow Trout: Rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) is a high-value cold-water fish species that normally thrives in cool, well-oxygenated waters with temperatures between 10-15°C. In India, rainbow trout farming has traditionally been concentrated in Himalayan and hill states including Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Arunachal Pradesh, and Sikkim, where cold, well-oxygenated water from snow-fed streams and rivers provides natural habitat.

Justice A Muhamed Mustaque Appointed Chief Justice of Sikkim High Court

In the News: The Central Government notified the appointment of Justice A. Muhamed Mustaque, a judge of the Kerala High Court, as the Chief Justice of the Sikkim High Court. Justice Mustaque was sworn in on January 5, 2026, becoming the 24th Chief Justice of the Sikkim High Court. The appointment follows a recommendation by the Supreme Court Collegium headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant.

Key Points:

• Official Appointment Notification: On January 3, 2026, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Law and Justice Arjun Ram Meghwal announced that the President of India, in exercise of powers conferred by Article 217(1) of the Constitution and in consultation with the Chief Justice of India, appointed Justice Muhamed Mustaque Ayumantakath as the Chief Justice of the Sikkim High Court with effect from the date he assumes charge of his office.
• Supreme Court Collegium Recommendation: The appointment was approved following a recommendation made on December 18, 2025, by the Supreme Court Collegium headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant. The collegium proposed the elevation of Justice A. Muhamed Mustaque from the Kerala High Court to serve as Chief Justice of the Sikkim High Court.
• Oath-Taking Ceremony: Justice A. Muhamed Mustaque was sworn in as the Chief Justice of Sikkim High Court on January 5, 2026 (Sunday). Sikkim Governor Om Prakash Mathur administered the oath of office at a function held at the Lok Bhawan in Gangtok
• Becomes 24th Chief Justice: Justice Mustaque became the 24th Chief Justice of the Sikkim High Court, succeeding Justice Biswanath Somadder, who retired recently. Justice Meenakshi Madan Rai was serving as the Acting Chief Justice of the Sikkim High Court before Justice Mustaque's appointment.
• Acting Chief Justice of Kerala: Justice Mustaque held the position of Acting Chief Justice of the Kerala High Court from July 5 to September 21, 2024, bringing valuable experience in leading a High Court to his new role.

9th Siddha Day 2026: Celebrating India’s Ancient Medical Heritage

In the News: Vice President of India Shri C.P. Radhakrishnan inaugurated the 9th Siddha Day celebrations at Kalaivanar Arangam, Chennai, organized by the Ministry of AYUSH in association with the National Institute of Siddha (NIS), Central Council for Research in Siddha (CCRS), and the Directorate of Indian Medicine and Homoeopathy, Government of Tamil Nadu.

Key Points:

• Event Details: The 9th Siddha Day celebrations were held on January 3, 2026, at Kalaivanar Arangam in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. While the actual celebration event took place on January 3, National Siddha Day is officially observed annually on January 6 to mark the birth anniversary of Sage Agathiyar.
• Theme: "Siddha for Global Health": The 2026 celebration's theme emphasized the relevance and potential of the ancient Siddha system in addressing contemporary global health challenges. The theme highlights Siddha medicine's role in preventive health, holistic wellness, and sustainable healthcare solutions, positioning this traditional Indian medical system as a valuable contributor to worldwide health frameworks alongside modern medicine.
• Siddha Day Official Recognition: In 2017, the Ministry of AYUSH approved the annual observance of Agathiyar's birthday (January 6) as National Siddha Day. The first-ever National Siddha Day was observed on January 4, 2018. marking the 9th edition of these national celebrations honoring this ancient medical tradition.
• Holistic Philosophy: The Vice President highlighted Siddha medicine's strong philosophical foundations and scientific depth, emphasizing its holistic integration of body, mind, and nature. He noted that this holistic approach to harmony among physical, mental, and environmental dimensions is particularly essential in today's world characterized by lifestyle diseases, stress-related disorders, environmental challenges, and the fast-paced modern lifestyle that often disrupts natural balance.