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CURRENT AFFAIRS : BANKING, FINANCE & BUSINESS

Morgan Stanley Projects India’s Economy to Grow 7.6% in FY26, Surpassing Government’s 7.4% Estimate

• Morgan Stanley projected India’s real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth at 7.6% Year-on-Year (Y-o-Y) for FY26, which is 20 basis points higher than the NSO’s latest estimate of 7.4%.
• India’s GDP is projected to slow down to 6.9% in H2 (July-September) of FY26 compared to 8% in H1 (April-June) of FY26, which is below the firm’s previous estimate of 7.3%.
• For FY27, India’s GDP is expected to expand at 6.5% Y-o-Y.
• Nominal GDP growth for India is projected at 8% Y-o-Y for FY26, which is lower than 7% in FY25.
• Fiscal and monetary policy support, enhanced purchasing power, and a positive labour market outlook are expected to support broader consumption recovery.
• Widespread pickup in Capital Expenditure (Capex) due to rising investor confidence is expected to boost private investment.
• Domestic demand is expected to drive growth, despite continued tariff pressures and global uncertainty.

PhonePe Payment Gateway Rolls Out ‘Bolt’ for Visa and Mastercard with Device Tokenization

• PhonePe Payment Gateway (PhonePe PG) has launched ‘PhonePe PG Bolt’ for Visa and Mastercard credit and debit card transactions.
• The solution uses device tokenization to provide a secure and efficient in-app checkout experience for PhonePe platform users and merchant partners.
• It enables a one-click payment experience while keeping users within the merchant’s app, eliminating redirections to external pages.
• Users can tokenize their Mastercard and Visa cards once on the PhonePe app, allowing them to use saved cards across any merchant integrated with PhonePe PG without re-tokenization.
• By replacing sensitive card details with secure tokens, the system removes the requirement for CVV entry during subsequent transactions on the same device, simplifying the payment journey.
• Utilizing PhonePe’s native SDK, merchants can achieve higher transaction success rates and faster checkout speeds due to the elimination of manual card entry and reduced technical hand-offs between payment entities.
• The solution provides merchants with a customizable interface that integrates directly into their existing app flow, maintaining brand consistency and reducing transaction drop-offs.

About PhonePe:

• Headquarters: Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
• Founded: 2015
• CEO: Sameer Nigam

PayG Gets Reserve Bank of India Nod to Operate as Payment Aggregator-Physical and Cross-Border

• PayG, one of India’s most-trusted payment gateway service providers, has received Reserve Bank of India (RBI) approval to operate as a Payment Aggregator-Physical (PA-P) and Cross-Border (PA-CB).
• With this approval, PayG now holds the full suite of PA licenses, enabling it to facilitate digital transactions across online, offline, and global use cases under the RBI regulatory framework.
• Through this license, PayG can support a comprehensive range of payment use cases via a unified platform, including online payments, offline in-store transactions through POS and QR codes, and cross-border payments for international customers and global merchants.
• The expanded authorization for merchants provides a single platform to handle online, offline, and cross-border payments in a secure and transparent manner.
• PayG was founded in 2021 (with operations since 2020) in Bengaluru, Karnataka, develops payment infrastructure for Indian businesses, and received RBI in-principle approval in 2025, simplifying domestic and cross-border transactions.

Choice Wealth to Launch Digital Investment Platform for India Post Payments Bank

• Choice Wealth Private Limited, a subsidiary of Choice International Limited, received a contract from India Post Payments Bank (IPPB) under the Department of Posts (DoP), Ministry of Communications, to launch a comprehensive digital investment platform.
• The platform enables IPPB customers nationwide to access formal financial investment services
• The digital investment platform offers online Mutual Fund (MF) aggregation, Robo-Advisory (RA), and other digital investment solutions through mobile applications, web platforms, and micro-ATMs (mATM).
• The objective is to simplify investing and promote financial inclusion, targeting first-time and underserved investors in semi-urban and rural areas.
• The platform ensures secure, technology-driven operations while adhering to regulatory and data protection standards.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: NATIONAL AND STATE NEWS

Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary Renamed as Kerala’s First Aralam Butterfly Sanctuary

• Kerala Government officially renamed Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary in Kannur as Aralam Butterfly Sanctuary.
• Becomes Kerala’s 1st dedicated Butterfly Sanctuary.
• Decision taken based on recommendation of State Board for Wildlife due to rich butterfly diversity and suitable climate and forest ecosystem.
• Sanctuary supports rare and endemic butterfly species, making it an ideal biodiversity conservation zone.
• New status aims to promote insect conservation, habitat protection, research, eco-tourism, and public awareness.
• Government to develop a Butterfly Village linking Kelakam, Kanichar, Aralam, and Muzhakunnu panchayats with community participation.
• Originally declared a Wildlife Sanctuary in 1984 through Kerala Gazette.
• Part of Western Ghats, recognised as a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site, holding high ecological significance.
• Supports protection of forest ecosystems of North Kerala and strengthens sustainable biodiversity conservation efforts.

About Kerala:

• Chief Minister: Pinarayi Vijayan
• Governor: Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar 
• Capital: Thiruvananthapuram
• National Parks: Eravikulam National Park, Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, Silent Valley National Park, Parambikulam Tiger Reserve
• Wildlife Sanctuaries: Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary, Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary, Chilika Lake Wildlife Sanctuary

National Highways Authority of India Sets 4 Guinness World Records on Bengaluru–Kadapa–Vijayawada Economic Corridor

• National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) created 4 Guinness World Records during the construction of the Bengaluru–Kadapa–Vijayawada Economic Corridor (NH-544G).
• Records achieved in Andhra Pradesh near Puttaparthi in January 2026.
• First 2 Records (January 6, 2026):
• Longest continuous laying of Bituminous Concrete: 9.63 km, 3-lane wide stretch within 24 hours.
• Highest quantity of Bituminous Concrete laid in 24 hours: 10,655 metric tonnes.
• Next 2 Records:
• Continuous laying of 57,500 metric tonnes of Bituminous Concrete.
• Continuous paving of a 3-lane wide, 52 km long stretch.
• These records highlight India’s global leadership in road construction, engineering excellence, high mechanisation, and round-the-clock execution capability.
• The economic corridor length: 343 km, six-lane, access-controlled highway.
• Aims to ensure safe, high-speed, and scenic travel, reduced travel time, better logistics efficiency, and economic integration of Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh with surrounding regions.
• Supports industrial growth, regional development, and trade enhancement.
• NHAI functions under the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, responsible for development, maintenance and management of National Highways.
• NHAI is increasingly focusing on expressways, economic corridors, access-controlled highways, and modern construction technologies to boost India’s infrastructure development.

Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology Launches PARAM SHAKTI Supercomputing Facility at IIT Madras

• Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) launched ‘PARAM SHAKTI’ supercomputing facility at IIT Madras.
• Inaugurated by Shri S. Krishnan, Secretary, MeitY.
• Facility hosts PARAM RUDRA, an indigenously developed supercomputer by Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) under the National Supercomputing Mission (NSM).
• Peak Performance: 3.1 Petaflops, capable of performing 3.1 quadrillion calculations per second.
• System is 100% Made in India, runs on open-source AlmaLinux with C-DAC system software.
• Equipped with:
• Uninterrupted power supply
• Advanced cooling systems
• Full data centre infrastructure
• Supports research in key fields:
• Aerospace engineering
• Materials science
• Climate & weather modelling
• Combustion studies
• Molecular science
• Nuclear research
• Drug discovery
• Enables large-scale simulations, reduces research time and cost.
• IIT Madras selected as host under NSM due to strong interdisciplinary research capacity.
• As per MeitY, 37 supercomputing systems have already been installed across India under NSM; more to be added.
• Supports IndiaAI Mission by promoting multiple computing architectures and multi-GPU platforms to strengthen India’s computing ecosystem.
• Government providing dedicated funding for application-driven projects to ensure effective utilisation of the facility.

Keyi Panyor to Become India’s First ‘Bio-Happy District’

• Newly formed Keyi Panyor district (Arunachal Pradesh) will become India’s first Bio-Happy District.
• Initiative implemented by M. S. Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF) in collaboration with district administration.
• Concept based on Biohappiness, introduced by M. S. Swaminathan, focusing on linking biodiversity with human well-being.
• Project will undertake:
• Livelihood assessment
• Agro-biodiversity mapping
• Ecological system evaluation
• Biohappiness means well-being achieved through conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity, improving nutrition, public health, income, and livelihoods.
• Focus on traditional farming systems, indigenous knowledge, biodiversity-rich landscapes.
• Arunachal Pradesh, located in Eastern Himalayas, is among India’s most ecologically diverse regions, ideal for a community-driven sustainable development model.
• Learnings expected to support policy frameworks for sustainable rural development in tribal and ecologically sensitive regions.
• Initiative highlights link between environmental health and public health.
• Points stressed:
• Methane emissions from waste are a major climate concern.
• Methane is short-lived but highly potent greenhouse gas.
• Reducing methane offers immediate climate benefits.
• MSSRF to collaborate with IIT Madras and Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research to study health risks near landfill communities.

About Arunachal Pradesh:

• Chief Minister: Pema Khandu
• Governor: B.D. Mishra
• Capital: Itanagar
• National Parks: Namdapha National Park, Mouling National Park, Mehao Wildlife Sanctuary, Eaglenest Wildlife Sanctuary,
• Wildlife Sanctuaries: Pakke Tiger Reserve, Kamlang Wildlife Sanctuary, Dampa Tiger Reserve, Daying Ering Wildlife Sanctuary

UIDAI Launches Aadhaar Mascot ‘Udai (उदय)’ to Strengthen Citizen-Centric Communication

• Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) launched a new Aadhaar mascot named ‘Udai (उदय)’ to improve public communication.
• Udai acts as a resident-facing communication companion to simplify and humanise Aadhaar-related information.
• Mascot aims to bridge the gap between technology and citizens by explaining Aadhaar services in a simple, engaging, and relatable manner.
• Udai will help people understand:
• Aadhaar updates and corrections
• Authentication and verification
• Offline Aadhaar verification
• Selective and secure sharing of Aadhaar
• Responsible usage of Aadhaar
• Adoption of Aadhaar-linked technologies
• Mascot will particularly benefit first-time users, senior citizens, and residents in remote areas, ensuring inclusive communication.
• UIDAI organised national-level competitions on the MyGov platform to design and name the mascot.
• Competition received 875 entries from students, professionals, designers, and creative participants across India.
• Selection followed a transparent multi-tier evaluation process.
• Mascot Design Competition Winners:
• 1st Prize – Arun Gokul (Thrissur, Kerala)
• 2nd Prize – Idris Dawaiwala (Pune, Maharashtra)
• 3rd Prize – Krishna Sharma (Ghazipur, Uttar Pradesh)
• Mascot Naming Competition Winners:
• 1st Prize – Riya Jain (Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh)
• 2nd Prize – Idris Dawaiwala (Pune, Maharashtra)
• 3rd Prize – Maharaj Saran Chellapilla (Hyderabad, Telangana)
• Mascot officially named ‘Udai’, symbolising growth, progress, and empowerment linked to Aadhaar.
• Launched in Thiruvananthapuram by Neelkanth Mishra, Chairman, UIDAI, who also felicitated winners.
• UIDAI CEO Bhuvnesh Kumar highlighted that public participation strengthens trust and acceptance of Aadhaar.
• Officials stated Udai will act as a companion and narrator to help residents connect better with Aadhaar information.
• Important for exams under topics like Digital Governance, Citizen-Centric Public Services, E-Governance Initiatives, and UIDAI/Aadhaar Developments.

3rd International Conference on Indian Languages inaugurated by Vice-President C. P. Radhakrishnan – Promotes Protection & Global Promotion of Indian Languages

• Vice-President C. P. Radhakrishnan inaugurated the 3rd International Conference on Indian Languages in New Delhi.
• Conference focused on protection, study, preservation, and global promotion of Indian languages with participation from scholars, experts, and international delegates.
• Vice-President stated that language is the “conscience of civilisation”, as it preserves history, values, traditions, literature, science, and philosophy across generations.
• Highlighted India’s linguistic diversity as a strength that promotes unity, democracy, and cultural harmony, not division.
• Mentioned increasing use of mother tongues in Rajya Sabha, reflecting maturity of Indian democracy.
• Recalled President Droupadi Murmu releasing the Santhali translation of the Constitution, calling it a historic step in language inclusion.
• Emphasised the importance of the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution in recognising and protecting Indian languages.
• Stressed that true national unity is built on respecting linguistic differences, strengthening democracy.
• Warned that many indigenous languages globally are endangered, requiring research, documentation, and preservation efforts.
• Highlighted initiatives like National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and Gyan Bharatam Mission to promote multilingual education and language heritage preservation.
• Supported use of digital archives, AI-based translation tools, and multilingual platforms to strengthen Indian languages in the digital age.

Gujarat Launches ‘Asha Van’ Mobile Cancer Screening Unit

• Gujarat launched a mobile cancer screening unit named ‘Asha Van’ in Gandhinagar, inaugurated by Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel.
• The initiative aims at early detection of cancer by providing doorstep screening services especially in rural, tribal and remote areas where access to advanced healthcare is limited.
• Asha Van is a fully equipped mobile medical unit, functioning like a hospital on wheels, designed for cancer screening and diagnosis and capable of identifying symptoms of multiple serious diseases.
• The van is equipped with EVA-Pro diagnostic technology, digital mammography machine and teleconsultation facilities, enabling expert guidance and quick medical support.
• It can screen for major cancers including lung, oral, blood, cervical, pancreatic, liver, breast and prostate cancers, providing on-the-spot testing and preliminary reports.
• The initiative supports the national goal of “Health and Wellness for All” by removing barriers like distance, cost and lack of awareness in healthcare access.
• After launch, the van was handed over to the Bhavnagar branch of the Indian Red Cross Society, which will operate it across multiple locations.
• The unit can screen for up to 10 types of cancer and will be deployed widely to ensure maximum population coverage.
• The initiative is expected to increase awareness, promote regular health check-ups, reduce late-stage cancer cases, and significantly strengthen rural healthcare services in Gujarat.

About Gujarat:

• Chief Minister: Bhupendra Patel
• Governor: Acharya Devvrat
• Capital: Gandhinagar
• National Parks: Gir National Park, Blackbuck National Park, Vansda National Park, Marine National Park
• Wildlife Sanctuaries: Nal Sarovar Bird Sanctuary, Velavadar Blackbuck Sanctuary, Kutch Desert Wildlife Sanctuary, Barda Wildlife Sanctuary, Purna Wildlife Sanctuary

CURRENT AFFAIRS : INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Malaysia Temporarily Bans Elon Musk’s xAI Chatbot Grok Over Sexualised and Non-Consensual Images

• Malaysia has temporarily blocked access to Grok, the generative AI chatbot developed by Elon Musk-led xAI, following allegations that it enabled the creation and circulation of sexualised and non-consensual images.
• The move follows Indonesia, which became the first country to restrict Grok, signalling growing regulatory scrutiny of generative AI tools in Southeast Asia.
• The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) cited repeated misuse of Grok to generate obscene, sexually explicit, and grossly offensive content, including images involving women and minors, raising serious legal and ethical concerns.
• In response, xAI announced it would limit image generation and editing features on Grok to paying subscribers to address lapses that allowed non-consensual sexualised images.
• These measures were insufficient, as they relied heavily on user reporting mechanisms and did not mitigate inherent design risks of AI-generated imagery.
• The MCMC issued notices earlier demanding stronger technical controls and proactive moderation systems, and stated that Grok access will remain restricted until effective safeguards are implemented.
• Malaysia, a Muslim-majority country, has intensified scrutiny of digital platforms, citing a rise in harmful online content, and is considering social media restrictions for users under 16.
• The Grok episode highlights the growing challenge governments face in balancing innovation with safeguards as generative AI tools expand rapidly without uniform global regulation.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: AWARDS AND HONOURS

Indian Army Officer Major Swathi Shantha Kumar Wins UN Secretary-General’s Award 2025

• Major Swathi Shantha Kumar (Indian Army) received the UN Secretary-General’s Award 2025 (Gender Category).
• Awarded for her project “Equal Partners, Lasting Peace” under the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).
• Recognised by UN Secretary-General António Guterres for promoting gender-inclusive and gender-responsive peacekeeping.
• Her project was selected through UN-wide voting, competing with nominations from multiple UN peacekeeping missions worldwide.
• Led the Indian Engagement Team, ensuring greater deployment and integration of women peacekeepers.
• Enhanced community trust, strengthened local cooperation, and improved women’s participation in conflict-affected regions.
• Initiative supported over 5,000 women, helping create safer environments and improving access to remote and sensitive areas.
• Demonstrates India’s strong contribution to global peacekeeping, women empowerment, and inclusive leadership in UN missions.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS

Justice Soumen Sen Takes Oath as Chief Justice of Kerala High Court

• Justice Soumen Sen was sworn in as the 40th Chief Justice (CJ) of the Kerala High Court (HC) at Raj Bhavan, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.
• The oath of office was administered by Kerala Governor Rajendra Arlekar in the presence of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and Speaker A.N. Shamsheer.
• He succeeded Justice Nitin Madhukar Jamdar, who retired on 9 January 2026.
• Justice Soumen Sen has handled civil, constitutional, banking, and arbitration cases during his legal career.
• He has represented major institutions such as the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), and Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI).
• He practised for nearly 20 years at the Calcutta High Court, Kolkata (West Bengal) on both original and appellate sides.
• In 2011, he was appointed as a Judge of the Calcutta High Court.
• He also served as Acting Chief Justice of the Calcutta High Court in September 2025.
• Before assuming charge in Kerala, he served as the Chief Justice of the Meghalaya High Court from October 2025.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : DEFENCE NEWS

Indian Army Orders Rs.168 Crore Solar-Powered UAV from NewSpace Research & Technologies

• The Indian Army (IA) has placed a Rs.168 crore order with NewSpace Research & Technologies (NRT) for the Medium Altitude Persistent Surveillance System (MAPSS), a fully electric, solar-powered UAV designed for long-endurance surveillance missions.
• For the first time, the IA will deploy solar-powered UAVs, in addition to the battery-powered and tethered drones currently in use.
• The MAPSS UAV has been indigenously developed under the Ministry of Defence’s (MoD) Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX)
• It is designed to provide long-endurance Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) coverage, Electronic Intelligence (ELINT), and communications relay support, particularly for border monitoring.
• These solar-powered UAVs feature a light airframe, solar recharging for extended flights, and a modular payload architecture.
• The UAV is equipped with advanced mission autonomy for operations in GNSS-denied zones, reducing logistical demands and enabling continuous border patrolling, artillery spotting, and network extension in communication-denied areas.
• Its quiet electric propulsion and low thermal signature help minimize enemy detection risks.

Indian Army Introduces ‘DIME’ Digital Platform to Transform Logistics Management

• The Indian Army (IA) launched ‘Depot Integration Management Edition (DIME)’, a digital platform aimed at transforming logistics management and enabling faster, data-driven decisions for commanders.
• DIME has been jointly developed by IA and Bhaskaracharya National Institute for Space Applications and Geo-Informatics (BISAG-N) under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY).
• The platform provides real-time visibility and efficient management of spares and equipment by integrating inventory control, maintenance planning, and demand forecasting into a single digital system.
• Key features include end-to-end logistics visibility from frontline to HQ, integrated dashboards for rapid stock assessment, alerts, and predictive analytics to identify anomalies and anticipate requirements.
• The platform reduces around 70% of manual paperwork and streamlines workflows, making supply operations approximately one-third faster.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

Defence Research and Development Organisation Successfully Tests Full-Scale Actively Cooled Scramjet Engine in Extended Ground Trial

• The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), under the Department of Defence Research & Development (DDR&D), Ministry of Defence (MoD), successfully conducted a long-duration ground test of a full-scale, actively cooled scramjet engine/combustor, marking a major milestone in India’s Hypersonic Cruise/Missile Programme.
• The test was conducted at the Scramjet Connect Pipe Test (SCPT) facility of Defence Research & Development Laboratory (DRDL) in Hyderabad, Telangana.

Key Highlights :

• The scramjet combustor operated continuously for over 12 minutes, validating sustained supersonic combustion and the robustness of hypersonic test infrastructure.
• The scramjet (Supersonic Combustion Ramjet) engine is an air-breathing propulsion system that enables hypersonic flight beyond Mach 5 using supersonic combustion and active cooling technology.
• The combustor and test facility were indigenously designed and developed by DRDL, with support from Indian industry and academia, highlighting self-reliance in defence technology.
• This technology enables hypersonic cruise missiles capable of speeds exceeding 6,100 km/h, with high manoeuvrability and low-altitude flight, making interception extremely difficult.
• The successful test validated advanced combustor design and state-of-the-art hypersonic testing infrastructure, strengthening India’s strategic deterrence capabilities.
• Earlier progressive scramjet tests included a 120-second ground test in January 2025 and a 1,000-second endurance test in May 2025, gradually scaling up scramjet endurance and reliability.

About DRDO :

• Established : 1958
• Headquarters : New Delhi, Delhi.
• Chairman of DRDO : Samir V. Kamat

Indian Space Research Organisation to Kick Off 2026 Launches with PSLV-C62 Carrying EOS-N1 and 14 Co-Passenger Satellites

• The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) will begin its 2026 launch calendar on 12 January with the PSLV-C62 mission to deploy the EOS-N1 Earth Observation Satellite (Anvesha) along with 14 other co-passenger satellites.
• The main satellite EOS-N1 (Anvesha) has been developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and is aimed at providing hyperspectral Earth observation, surveillance, and terrain classification
• The mission is being conducted by NewSpace India Ltd (NSIL), the commercial arm of ISRO, and the launch is scheduled from the First Launch Pad at Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota.
• The satellites will be injected into a Sun-Synchronous Orbit (SSO) about 17 minutes after lift-off, while the total mission duration will be over two hours.
• The mission will also test the KID (Kestrel Initial Technology Demonstrator) capsule from a Spanish startup (Orbital Paradigm), which will re-enter the Earth’s atmosphere and splash down in the South Pacific Ocean.
• The PSLV has so far completed 63 flights, including Chandrayaan-1, Mars Orbiter Mission (Mangalyaan), Aditya-L1, and Astrosat missions, and set a world record in 2017 by launching 104 satellites in a single mission.
• The PSLV-C62 mission marks the 105th launch from Sriharikota, the 64th PSLV mission, and the 5th flight of the PSLV-DL variant.
• The foreign satellites on board include THEOS-2 (Thailand & UK), MunAl (Nepal), KID (Spain), RIDE! Capsule (France), and EduSat & JIISAT (Brazil).
• The Indian satellites on the mission include GUSAT, DSUSAT, MOI-1, LACHIT, Thybolt-3, Sanskar-1, and Ayu-Sat, developed by Dhruva Space, TakeMe2Space, Don Bosco University, Laxman Gyanpith, and OrbitAid India.
• Anvesha is a hyperspectral mini-satellite weighing 100–150 kg, operating in a low Earth orbit of around 600 km, designed for sharper surveillance and terrain classification
• The PS4 fourth stage of PSLV will be restarted to de-boost and deploy the KID capsule, demonstrating a controlled re-entry into Earth’s atmosphere.
• Earlier, on 24 December 2025, ISRO successfully launched the BlueBird Block-2 communication satellite for the United States’ AST SpaceMobile, deployed from Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota, providing high-speed cellular broadband directly to smartphones globally.

Google Expands Gemini AI Chatbot into Virtual Shopping Assistant with Walmart, Shopify, and Wayfair Partnerships

• Google is expanding shopping features in its Gemini AI chatbot by partnering with Walmart, Shopify, Wayfair, and other retailers, turning Gemini into a virtual shopping assistant and merchant.
• An instant checkout feature will allow users to buy products directly inside the Gemini chat without visiting a retailer’s website.
• Walmart customers who link their accounts with Gemini will receive personalised recommendations based on past purchases, with items going directly into their Walmart or Sam’s Club
• The Gemini shopping feature will launch first in the US, with payments initially through Google-linked cards, followed later by PayPal.
• Walmart also announced that its drone delivery network in partnership with Alphabet’s Wing will expand to 270 locations by 2027 across the US.

Google Launches Universal Commerce Protocol to Transform AI-Driven Digital Commerce

• Google has unveiled the Universal Commerce Protocol (UCP), a new open standard designed to reshape digital commerce in the age of artificial intelligence (AI).
• UCP helps retailers connect effectively with consumers who increasingly rely on AI tools for product discovery, comparison, and purchasing decisions.
• The protocol enables retailers to create and surface relevant offers directly within Google campaign settings, with agentic AI determining when and where an offer should be displayed based on shopper intent and context.
• UCP operates across the full commerce lifecycle, covering discovery, purchase, and post-transaction support, creating a unified framework for AI-driven retail interactions.
• As part of UCP, Google is introducing an AI checkout capability for eligible product listings in AI Mode on Search and within the Gemini app, allowing shoppers to complete purchases while researching products.
• Google is piloting “Direct Offers” under Google Ads, targeting consumers who use AI for product discovery and prioritize value, starting with discounts and later expanding to bundles, free shipping, and other value-added attributes.
• UCP complements existing frameworks such as Agent2Agent (A2A), Agent Payments Protocol (AP2), and Model Context Protocol (MCP), strengthening the agentic AI ecosystem.
• UCP was co-developed with major retailers including Shopify, Target, and Walmart, and endorsed by ecosystem partners such as American Express, Flipkart, and Mastercard.
• Google is also rolling out Business Agent on Search, enabling shoppers to chat directly with brands; this feature functions like a virtual sales associate, answering product queries in a brand’s voice and helping drive conversions.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : ENVIRONMENT

Scientists Discover Two New Slender-Armed Frog Species in Arunachal Pradesh

• Indian scientists from the University of Delhi discovered two new species of slender-armed frogs from remote mountain habitats of Arunachal Pradesh (AR).
• The newly discovered species are Soman’s Slender Arm Frog (Leptobrachium somani) and Mechuka Slender Arm Frog (Leptobrachium mechuka).
• The research findings were published in the USA-based peer-reviewed journal PeerJ.
• The study was conducted over three years by the University of Delhi in collaboration with the Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard University (USA).

Key Highlights :

• The frogs belong to the genus Leptobrachium under the family Megophryidae, one of the most diverse frog families globally with 366 recognised species across South and Southeast Asia.
• Out of 39 Leptobrachium species worldwide, only four species were earlier recorded in India.
• The Brahmaputra River acts as a major biogeographical barrier, with the new species found north of the river, while other Indian species are confined to the southern region.
• Soman’s Slender Arm Frog (Leptobrachium somani) was discovered at Tiwarigaon in Lower Dibang Valley, Arunachal Pradesh.
• The species is named in honour of late journalist and environmental reporter Somanath and measures about 55 mm in length.
• It has a greyish-brown body with irregular light-grey markings, silver-grey to light-blue eyes, and inhabits evergreen forests, with males calling from stream banks.
• Mechuka Slender Arm Frog (Leptobrachium mechuka) was discovered near Mechuka town in Shi Yomi district, Arunachal Pradesh, close to the India–China border.
• It is named after Mechuka town, measures around 60 mm in length, and has a uniform brown body with a reddish tinge and silvery-white eyes.
• The species inhabits evergreen forests and adjoining grasslands, highlighting Arunachal Pradesh’s rich amphibian biodiversity.

Daily CA One- Liner: January 13

• Kerala Government officially renamed Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary in Kannur as Aralam Butterfly Sanctuary
• National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) created 4 Guinness World Records during the construction of the Bengaluru–Kadapa–Vijayawada Economic Corridor
• Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) launched ‘PARAM SHAKTI’ supercomputing facility at IIT Madras
• Newly formed Keyi Panyor district (Arunachal Pradesh) will become India’s first Bio-Happy District
• Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) launched a new Aadhaar mascot named ‘Udai (उदय)’ to improve public communication
• Vice-President C. P. Radhakrishnan inaugurated the 3rd International Conference on Indian Languages in New Delhi.
• Gujarat launched a mobile cancer screening unit named ‘Asha Van’ in Gandhinagar, inaugurated by Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel
• Major Swathi Shantha Kumar (Indian Army) received the UN Secretary-General’s Award 2025 (Gender Category).
• Morgan Stanley projected India’s real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth at 7.6% Year-on-Year (Y-o-Y) for FY26, which is 20 basis points higher than the NSO’s latest estimate of 7.4%.
• PhonePe Payment Gateway (PhonePe PG) has launched ‘PhonePe PG Bolt’ for Visa and Mastercard credit and debit card transactions.
• PayG, one of India’s most-trusted payment gateway service providers, has received Reserve Bank of India (RBI) approval to operate as a Payment Aggregator-Physical (PA-P) and Cross-Border (PA-CB).
• Choice Wealth Private Limited, a subsidiary of Choice International Limited, received a contract from India Post Payments Bank (IPPB) under the Department of Posts (DoP), Ministry of Communications, to launch a comprehensive digital investment platform.
• Malaysia has temporarily blocked access to Grok, the generative AI chatbot developed by Elon Musk-led xAI, following allegations that it enabled the creation and circulation of sexualised and non-consensual images.
• Justice Soumen Sen was sworn in as the 40th Chief Justice (CJ) of the Kerala High Court (HC) at Raj Bhavan, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.
• The Indian Army (IA) has placed a 168 crore order with NewSpace Research & Technologies (NRT) for the Medium Altitude Persistent Surveillance System (MAPSS), a fully electric, solar-powered UAV designed for long-endurance surveillance missions.
• The Indian Army (IA) launched ‘Depot Integration Management Edition (DIME)’, a digital platform aimed at transforming logistics management and enabling faster, data-driven decisions for commanders.
• The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), under the Department of Defence Research & Development (DDR&D), Ministry of Defence (MoD), successfully conducted a long-duration ground test of a full-scale, actively cooled scramjet engine/combustor, marking a major milestone in India’s Hypersonic Cruise/Missile Programme.
• The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) will begin its 2026 launch calendar on 12 January with the PSLV-C62 mission to deploy the EOS-N1 Earth Observation Satellite (Anvesha) along with 14 other co-passenger satellites.
• Google is expanding shopping features in its Gemini AI chatbot by partnering with Walmart, Shopify, Wayfair, and other retailers, turning Gemini into a virtual shopping assistant and merchant.
• Google has unveiled the Universal Commerce Protocol (UCP), a new open standard designed to reshape digital commerce in the age of artificial intelligence (AI).
• Indian scientists from the University of Delhi discovered two new species of slender-armed frogs from remote mountain habitats of Arunachal Pradesh (AR).