THE HEADLINES:
- Government took landmark decisions this year to ensure inclusive growth, and strengthen economic resilience, says Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Dr L Murugan.
- Dense fog disrupts normal life in northern parts of the country; 148 flights cancelled due to foggy weather and poor visibility.
- External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar to attend the funeral of former Bangladesh Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia in Dhaka.
- CBSE announces revised dates of board examinations for class 10th and 12th.
- And Pariksha Pe Charcha creates history, crossing over three crore registrations for the upcoming edition.
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Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Dr L Murugan today said that this year the government undertook a series of landmark reforms, marking important chapters in the country’s national journey towards Viksit Bharat 2047. Launching the Government of India Calendar 2026 in New Delhi, he highlighted that these reforms were guided by a clear objective to ensure inclusive growth, strengthen economic resilience, and lay a sustainable foundation for country’s long-term development.
Speaking on the occasion, Information and Broadcasting Secretary Sanjay Jaju said, the design of the calendar is very carefully curated and it really spells out the priorities of the government and evolved as a communication instrument of the government.
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Dense fog conditions in the northern parts of the country have impacted train and flight operations today. According to the Delhi Division of Railways, more than 50 Delhi-bound trains are running late. Similarly, air travel has also been affected due to bad weather conditions. As per the Delhi Airport, 148 flights have been cancelled today due to foggy weather and poor visibility. Of the cancelled flights, 78 were arrivals and 70 departures.
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Defence Minister Rajnath Singh today hoisted a flag at the Annapurna Temple in the Ram Temple complex and joined prayers on the occasion of the second anniversary of Pran Pratishtha. Mr. Singh was accompanied by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.
Annapurna Temple is one of the seven temples in the Ram Temple complex. On the 25th of last month, Prime Minister Narendra Modi hoisted a saffron flag atop the Ram Temple, marking the formal completion of its construction. Before reaching the Ram Temple complex, Mr. Singh and Mr. Adityanath prayed at the Hanumangarhi Temple. An idol of Ram Lalla was consecrated at the temple on 22nd January 2024, during a ceremony led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. More from our correspondent:-
“The city of Lord Rama is filled with devotion as the second anniversary of Pranam Pratishtha of Ramlala is being celebrated in diverse forms, Today many traditional rituals of Yagya Hawan and puja are being performed on the occasion of Pratishtha Dwadashi. Defense Minister Rajnath Singh and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath along with Saints, Dharmacharya and a large number of devotees became witness of this historic moment. Defense Minister Rajnath Singh hoisted the flag on the summit of the Annapurna temple in Perkota today. Around 1200 saints of Ayodhya along with Ram devotees have been invited to the event. Earlier, upon reaching Ayodhya, Defense Minister Rajnath Singh and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath performed darshan puja at Hanumangarh temple also. Sushil Chandra Tiwari Akashvani, News, Lucknow.”
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi today greeted the nation on the occasion of the second anniversary of the Pran Pratishtha of Ram Lalla, being celebrated on the sacred land of Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh. In a social media post, Mr. Modi described the anniversary as a divine festival of faith and tradition. The Prime Minister offered his salutations and obeisance at the feet of Lord Shri Ram on behalf of Ram devotees across the country and abroad.
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The External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar arrived in Dhaka this morning to attend the funeral of former Bangladesh Prime Minister and Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia. A special flight carrying Dr Jaishankar landed at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, Dhaka today. He was received by Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Pranay Verma and other senior officials of the Indian High Commission.
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The BJP today criticized West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for allegedly threatening Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who is on a visit to the state. Addressing a press conference at Bhubaneswar, BJP national spokesperson Sambit Patra alleged that Ms Banerjee, while addressing a public meeting in Bankura district in West Bengal, threatened the Union Home Minister. Mr Patra said, it is not only a threat to the Union Home Minister, but to the entire population of the country.
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Indian Railways has successfully completed the final high-speed trial of the indigenously designed and manufactured Vande Bharat Sleeper Train. The trial was conducted on the Kota-Nagda section, during which the train achieved a maximum speed of 180 Kilometer per hour, marking a significant milestone in the country’s journey towards advanced and self-reliant rail technology.
Union Railways Minister, Ashwini Vaishnaw, shared a video of the high-speed trial on social media. The video also showcased a water-glass stability demonstration, in which glasses filled with water remained steady without spillage even at high speed, underscoring the advanced ride quality, superior suspension, and technological robustness of this new-generation train. Our correspondent reports that this development underscores Indian Railways’ commitment to innovation, safety, and the advancement of indigenous rail manufacturing under the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat. A report;
“The 16-coach Vande Bharat Sleeper rake used in the trial has been designed to cater to long-distance passenger travel and is equipped with state-of-the-art passenger amenities. These include comfortable sleeper berths, automatic doors, modern toilets, fire detection and safety monitoring systems, CCTV-based surveillance and digital passenger information systems. These features are aimed at providing passengers with a safe, comfortable, and world-class travel experience. During the trial, comprehensive technical evaluations were carried out, including assessment of ride stability, emergency braking system, safety systems, and other critical parameters under the supervision of the Commissioner of Railway Safety. The train’s performance at high speed was found fully satisfactory, and the trial was declared successful by the Commissioner. With Dipendra Kumar, Saklen Akhtar, Akashvani News Delhi.”
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Eight people have lost their lives after consuming contaminated drinking water in the Bhagirathpura area in Indore district of Madhya Pradesh. More than 35 others have been hospitalized with complaints of vomiting and diarrhea. Taking cognisance of the incident, Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav has announced an ex-gratia assistance of two lakh rupees each to the families of the deceased and has directed officials to ensure proper and quality treatment for those affected. On the Chief Minister’s instructions, a zonal officer and an assistant engineer have been suspended, while the in-charge deputy engineer has been removed from service. A three-member inquiry committee has also been constituted to investigate the incident. The district administration and the health department are maintaining continuous monitoring of the situation and are actively engaged in treatment and investigation efforts.
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The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has announced the revised dates of board examinations for class 10th and 12th. According to the CBSE, for class 10th grade examination, which was earlier scheduled on 3rd March next year, will now be held on the 11th of March next year. While the date for class 12th examination has been moved to 10th April, which was earlier scheduled on 3rd March, 2026. The board said that the dates have been rescheduled due to administrative reasons. CBSE has also asked schools to disseminate this information to all concerned students and parents.
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The flagship initiative of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Pariksha Pe Charcha has crossed a historic milestone, with over three crore registrations recorded till yesterday. The Education Ministry said, the scale of participation highlights Pariksha Pe Charcha as a true Jan Andolan. Students, parents and teachers from across the country have shown overwhelming participation, reflecting the programme’s growing popularity. The initiative focuses on students’ mental well-being and promotes a positive approach towards examinations.
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All higher reaches of Jammu and Kashmir received snowfall in the last 12 hours as the minimum temperature rose above the freezing point today. Light to moderate rain or snow is likely over most places during the night of 31st December to 1st January, with higher and extreme upper reaches of north and central Kashmir possibly receiving moderate to heavy snowfall. More from our correspondent:-
“A large number of tourists from across the country have thronged Kashmir region to celebrate the onset of New Year 2026. Residents and tourists have been advised to stay updated on the local weather alerts as the region prepares for New Year’s festivities under cold and wet conditions. With Gulmarg recording nearly 100 per cent occupancy for the New Year week celebrations, the Kashmir Tourism Department have announced a 14-day integrated skiing programme for young enthusiasts. The programme will cover key destinations including Pahalgam, Sonamarg, Doodhpathri and Gulmarg, providing training on varied slopes and winter sports facilities. The Tourism Department is focusing this year on augmenting infrastructure, employment and destination grooming to build a stronger and more sustainable tourism season ahead. Tariq Rather, Akashvani News, Srinagar.”
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Meanwhile, India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast cold days to severe cold day conditions over Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh. The weather agency predicted dense fog conditions over Delhi, Chandigarh, Haryana, Punjab, Northeastern states, West Bengal and Uttarakhand. IMD also said that heavy rainfall takes place over Jammu-Kashmir, Ladakh and Muzaffarabad.
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Mumbai Police has implemented comprehensive security measures across the city to ensure peaceful New Year’s eve celebrations today. The Mumbai police has deployed more than 17 thousand personnel as part of elaborate security arrangements. More from our correspondent:-
“The official added that if needed, citizens are advised to contact the police helpline numbers 100 or 112 for immediate assistance. To ensure the safety and smooth travel for New Year revellers, the Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation (MMRC) and the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) has announced that their services for the Metro-3 Aqua Line and additional bus services across key routes will operate today throughout the night. The special service will begin 10:30 at night today and will continue non-stop till the morning on January 1st, 2026. Bhavana, Akashwani News, Mumbai.”
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Benchmark domestic equity indices, the Sensex and the Nifty, are moving towards ending the year’s last session on a strong note. Both indices were trading significantly higher in afternoon trade today, fuelled by broad-based sectoral gains. The Sensex climbed 596 points to 85 thousand and 271, while the Nifty surged 205 points to 26 thousand and 144, when reports last came in.
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THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN:
- Government took landmark decisions this year to ensure inclusive growth, and strengthen economic resilience, says Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Dr L Murugan.
- Dense fog disrupts normal life in northern parts of the country; 148 flights cancelled due to foggy weather and poor visibility.
- External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar to attend the funeral of former Bangladesh Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia in Dhaka.
- CBSE announces revised dates of board examinations for class 10th and 12th.
- And Pariksha Pe Charcha creates history, crossing over three crore registrations for the upcoming edition.
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