THE HEADLINES:
- President Droupadi Murmu urges everyone to learn AI technology, Says Skill the Nation challenge campaign will prepare a future-ready workforce.
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi to flag off Vande Bharat Sleeper train between Kolkata and Guwahati soon.
- Centre notifies draft rules for four new Labour Codes, seeks public feedback.
- Indian economy continues to grow at a strong pace, says RBI.
- And, Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana, flagship scheme for pregnant women and lactating mothers completes nine years.
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President Droupadi Murmu has said that Artificial Intelligence is not just a technology but an opportunity to bring positive changes in the country. Addressing a special programme under Skilling for AI Readiness, in Rashtrapati Bhawan today, the President said, the importance of artificial intelligence is rapidly growing across various sectors and it has become essential for everyone to learn the technology.
During the event, the President conferred AI certificates upon learners, including students and Members of Parliament and launched the national awareness campaign named Skill The Nation Challenge. President Murmu commended the Members of Parliament for learning about emerging technologies and setting an example by using them in their leadership roles. She said, the objective of this challenge is to promote awareness of AI and foster economic self-reliance.
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Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has announced that the country’s first Vande Bharat sleeper train will operate between Guwahati and Kolkata soon. Addressing a press conference in New Delhi today, Mr Vaishnaw said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate this train within the next 15 to 20 days.
He said, Indian Railways has successfully completed the final high-speed trial of the indigenously designed and manufactured Vande Bharat Sleeper Train. He said the 16-coach sleeper train has been developed to cater to long-distance travel ranging from one thousand to one thousand five hundred kilometres. Mr Vaishnaw said, the train is equipped with state-of-the-art passenger amenities, including comfortable sleeper berths, automatic doors and modern toilets. The Minister said, the fare for this Vande Bharat sleeper train will be around two thousand 300 rupees with food for third AC, three thousand rupees for 2nd AC and three thousand 600 rupees for 1st AC.
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The Centre has notified draft rules for the four new Labour Codes. These Labour Codes are – The Code on Wages, 2019, the Industrial Relations Code, 2020, the Code on Social Security, 2020 and the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020. The rules define workers, wages, types of employment, gratuity, bonus and social security of workers, including gig workers. These draft rules are open for public consultation, and stakeholders have been invited to submit objections and suggestions within 45 days.
The Labour Ministry had announced the implementation of these four new labour codes on 21st November last year to simplify and streamline the existing, decades-old labour laws in the country. According to the Ministry, the new labour codes will ensure better wages, safety, social security and welfare for the country’s workforce. The Labour codes guarantee timely minimum wages for all workers, appointment letters for the youth, equal pay and respect for women, social security for 40 crore workers and gratuity for fixed-term employees after one year of employment.
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The Centre has said the Production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme for automobiles has attracted cumulative investments of 35 thousand 657 crore rupees so far. The PLI scheme for Automobile has been introduced to enhance the country’s manufacturing capabilities in Advanced Automotive Technology products. The scheme has a total budgetary outlay of around 26 thousand crore rupees and covers a performance period of five years, from 2023-24 to 2027-28.
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Oil marketing companies have increased the prices of commercial LPG gas cylinders by 111 rupees, across Metropolitan Cities. As per the Indian Oil Corporation Limited, retail price of commercial LPG gas cylinders in Delhi is now 1 thousand 691 rupees and 50 paise. Similarly, commercial LPG prices have been increased to 1 thousand 795 rupees in Kolkata, 1 thousand 531 rupees 50 paise in Mumbai, and 1 thousand 739 rupees 50 paise in Chennai. The revised price of the 19-kilogram commercial LPG cylinder has come into effect from today. There has been no change in the price of domestic LPG cylinders.
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The Unified Payments Interface (UPI) continued its strong growth momentum in December, registering a year-on-year increase of 29 per cent in transaction volume to 21.63 billion rupees. According to data released by the National Payments Corporation of India, the value of transactions also rose by 20 per cent annually to around 28 lakh crore rupees.
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The Indian economy continues to grow at a strong pace, supported by robust domestic demand, moderate inflation, and prudent macroeconomic policies despite global headwinds. This was stated by the Reserve Bank of India in its latest Financial Stability Report.
The report highlighted that domestic financial system remains resilient, backed by strong balance sheets, accommodative financial conditions, and low volatility in financial markets. However, it cautioned that near-term risks persist due to external uncertainties, including geopolitical developments and trade-related challenges.
The report stated that global economy has shown resilience, aided by fiscal support, and strong investment in artificial intelligence. At the same time, it warned of downside risks stemming from elevated uncertainty, rising public debt levels, and the possibility of a disorderly correction in global financial markets.
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Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana, a flagship scheme of the government for pregnant women and lactating mothers has completed nine years today. Our correspondent reports that the scheme was launched on the 1st January 2017, to provide financial support to pregnant women and lactating mothers to improve their health and nutrition. More from our correspondent:
“Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana is a Centrally Sponsored flagship scheme to provide maternity benefits to women belonging to socially and economically disadvantaged sections of society. Under the Scheme, Pregnant Women and Lactating Mothers receive a cash benefit of five thousand rupees for the first child and six thousand rupees for the second girl child. The first instalment of three thousand rupees is given on registration of pregnancy and the second instalment of two thousand rupees is given after childbirth. The eligible beneficiaries also receive cash incentive under Janani Suraksha Yojana. According to the Women and Child Development Ministry, four crore 50 lakh beneficiaries are enrolled under the scheme and more than 19 thousand crore rupees has been disbursed to the beneficiaries. The scheme offers financial assistance to support nutrition, medical checkups, and overall health during pregnancy. With Dipendra Kumar, Akshit Vedyan, Akashvani News Delhi.”
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People across India welcomed the New Year 2026 with enthusiasm, prayers, and public gatherings. Across the country, people welcomed the New Year with optimism and celebration, while police and security agencies remained on alert to maintain law and order and ensure peaceful festivities.
President Droupadi Murmu, Vice President CP Radhakrishnan and Prime Minister Narendra Modi have extended their greetings and best wishes to the countrymen on the occasion of New Year 2026.
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Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla today extended his greetings on the occasion of New Year 2026. Sharing a video message on his social media post, Mr Birla expressed hope that the New Year brings new dreams, renewed energy, fresh opportunities, and boundless prosperity into everyone’s lives.
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In Odisha, people welcomed the new year 2026 with much fanfare across the state. Since early this morning, devotees are seen gathered in large numbers at major temples to seek blessings from the deities for the new year. Lakhs of devotees thronged the holy city of Puri to usher in the new year with the darshan of Lord Jagannath. More from our Correspondent:
Lakhs of devotees have gathered in the holy city of Puri to begin the new year 2026 with a holy darshan of Lord Jagannath since this morning. To manage the massive crowd, entry is being regulated exclusively through the ‘Singha Dwar’, while darshan inside the temple is conducted from the ‘Bahara Katha’. Huge crowds are also being seen at the Sri Lingaraj Temple in Bhubaneswar, Maa Samaleswari Temple in Sambalpur and other prominent shrines of the state. Elaborate security arrangements have been made at major temples, tourist places, and picnic spots. Meanwhile, Chief Minister of Odisha Mohan Charan Majhi has strictly prohibited new year celebrations, presentation of flower bouquets, parties and feasts within state government office premises. Prakash Dash, Akashvani, Bhubanesawr.”
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A large number of tourists have arrived at various tourist destinations in Himachal Pradesh. The State government has made extensive arrangements for the safety and convenience of visitors. Light snowfall occurred in some higher reaches of the state last night, and the Meteorological Department has forecast rain and light snowfall in the next 24 hours. More from our correspondent:
Despite the biting cold, New Year celebrations across Himachal Pradesh turned vibrant as a large number of domestic and foreign tourists thronged popular destinations. The state government and local administration have ensured elaborate arrangements for the safety, convenience, and entertainment of visitors, while winter carnivals in Shimla and Kangra Valley are showcasing Himachali culture, cuisine, and handicrafts. A light spell of snowfall in the higher reaches this morning added cheer to the celebrations, with tourists enjoying the snow around Atal Tunnel Rohtang and nearby high-altitude areas. The Met Department has forecast rain and light snowfall in higher and mid-hill regions over the next 24 hours, while tourists in Shimla and Manali are eagerly hoping for the season’s first snowfall. Ritesh Kapoor, Akashvani News, Shimla.
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The National Sports Governance Act 2025 partially came into effect from today. According to the Sports Ministry, the Centre has notified the commencement of selected provisions of the Act.
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Benchmark domestic equity indices, the Sensex and the Nifty, were trading nearly flat in afternoon trade today. The Sensex added 10 points to 85 thousand 230, while the Nifty rose by 13 points to 26 thousand 142, when reports last came in. On the sectoral front, Telecommunication, Utilities as well as IT and Auto were leading, while FMCG was the major drag, followed by Chemicals and Pharma.
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THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN:
- President Droupadi Murmu urges everyone to learn AI technology, Says Skill the Nation challenge campaign will prepare a future-ready workforce.
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi to flag off Vande Bharat Sleeper train between Kolkata and Guwahati soon.
- Centre notifies draft rules for four new Labour Codes, seeks public feedback.
- Indian economy continues to grow at a strong pace, says RBI.
- And, Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana, flagship scheme for pregnant women and lactating mothers completes nine years.
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