THE HEADLINES::
- Election Commission of India revises schedule for Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls in Uttar Pradesh.
- Delhi government clears Bill to simplify compliance, decriminalise minor offences, reduce burden on courts and improve administrative efficiency.
- Railways conducts trial run of upcoming Vande Bharat Sleeper train.
- External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar to attend funeral of former Bangladesh Prime Minister Khaleda Zia in Dhaka today.
- Grandmaster Arjun Erigaisi wins Bronze medal losing the semifinal of World Blitz Chess Championship in Doha.
- In Women’s Cricket, India beat Sri Lanka by 15 runs in fifth and final T20 International to complete 5-0 sweep.
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The Election Commission of India (ECI) has revised the schedule for Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Uttar Pradesh.
“Chief Electoral Officer of Uttar Pradesh Mr. Navdeep Rinva said that the draft voter list will be published on January 6, 2026. The period for receiving claims and objections has been set from January 6 to February 6, 2026. He said that the SIR process concluded in state on December 26. All enumeration forms have been received and digitized. The draft electoral roll was initially scheduled for publication on December 31. SUSHIL CHANDRA TIWARI, AKASHVANI NEWS, LUCKNOW.”
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Delhi Government has approved the Delhi Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2026. Delhi’s Chief Minister Rekha Gupta informed that the the Bill, approved by the Delhi Cabinet, aims to simplify compliance procedures and decriminalise minor violations, reduce the number of cases in the courts and enhance administrative efficiency.
She said that the Bill will be passed in the upcoming winter session of the Delhi Legislative Assembly starting from 5th of next month. Mrs Gupta said that through this legislation, the Delhi Government is fully committed to promote Ease of Doing Business and Ease of Living.
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Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has said that the trial run of the upcoming Vande Bharat Sleeper train was conducted by Commissioner Railway Safety yesterday. Sharing a video of the trial run, Mr Vaishnaw in a social media post said that it was conducted between Kota Nagda section in which the train ran at a speed of 180 kilometer per hour. The glasses of water placed inside the train remained perfectly still at this speed. Mr Vaishnaw said, the water test demonstrated the technological features of this new generation train.
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Vice-President CP Radhakrishnan has said that the bond between Kashi and Tamil Nadu is not merely historical, but a profound civilisational and spiritual continuum that has united Bharat for thousands of years. He noted that such exchanges reaffirm India’s shared heritage and deepen the sense of national integration. He was addressing at the valedictory function of the Kashi Tamil Sangamam 4.0 held at Rameshwaram.
Quoting Mahakavi Subramania Bharati, the Vice-President observed that the Kashi Tamil Sangamam reflects the poet’s vision of a united, integrated and confident India.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacted with a group of eminent economists and experts at NITI Aayog in New Delhi . The theme of the interaction was ‘Aatmanirbharta and Structural Transformation: Agenda for Viksit Bharat’. Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister highlighted the core pillars for India’s journey toward 2047. Speaking about Viksit Bharat as a National Aspiration, Mr Modi noted that the vision of a developed India by 2047 has transcended government policy to become a genuine mass aspiration. Prime Minister stressed the need for mission-mode reforms to build global capability and attain global integration. To sustain long-term growth, Mr Modi called for mission-mode reforms across diverse sectors.
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The year 2025 stands as a defining chapter in India’s development journey. It saw policies translate into progress and intent into impact. Today, in this Special Series, ‘Year of Reforms’, we bring to you how India emerged as the World’s New Production Engine in 2025.
“This year, India reached a decisive inflection point with a projected growth outlook of 7.8 percent in its industrial and economic trajectory. The country positioned itself as a fast-growing market and major global production hub with the rising foreign direct investment and expanding industrial capacity. India’s first tempered-glass manufacturing facility was inaugurated this year in Noida which marked a symbolic break from the past and proving that India is now producing complex. Similarly in the energy sector, country achieved a major milestone by reaching 100 GW of solar manufacturing capacity. Meanwhile Solar module production expanded sharply from 2.3 GW in 2014 to 100 GW in 2025.
This year also witnessed aviation manufacturing gain momentum with the induction of nearly 2 thousand 200 new aircrafts. The passenger traffic projected to reach 630 million by 2030. On the other hand, country’s industrial rise created mobility for millions.The electronics sector alone supports around 25 lakh jobs and even the national unemployment rate for men declined to 5 percent. The reforms under Prime Minister Narendra Modi continued to shape the governance framework. GST 2.0 with rationalised tax slabs of 5 percent and 18 percent and faster compliance processes, reducing costs and operational friction for manufacturers.
India emerged as one of the world’s most vital production and export economies with the deeper value chains, bold policy action, expanding global partnerships, and an increasingly skilled workforce. With Shivang and Samarth, Akshit Kumar Vedyan , Akashvani News , Delhi.”
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External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will attend the funeral of former Bangladesh Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia in Dhaka today. Dr. Jaishankar will represent the Government and people of India at the funeral.
“Former prime minister and BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia will be accorded a state funeral today. Her namaz-e-janaza will be held at 2 pm at the South Plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban and Manik Mia Avenue in Dhaka, after which she will be laid to rest beside her husband, former president Ziaur Rahman.The Bangladesh government has declared three days of state mourning, with today observed as a public holiday. The interim government said the entire funeral process, from moving her body from Evercare Hospital to burial, will be conducted with full state honours. Representatives from several South and Southeast Asian countries are expected to attend her funeral. Khaleda Zia passed away early Tuesday while undergoing treatment at Evercare Hospital. A two-time prime minister, she was one of the most influential figures in Bangladesh’s politics and led the Bangladesh Nationalist Party for decades. NAVALSANG PARMAR, AKASHVANI NEWS, DHAKA.”
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Union Education Ministry has announced the results of the contest under the Prime Minister’s Scheme for Mentoring Young Authors PM-YUVA 3.0. Under this edition, 43 book proposals in 22 Indian languages and English has been selected. The Ministry of Education informed that the selected book proposals will be developed into books under the six-month mentorship of eminent scholars.
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The Ministry of Jal Shakti has rejected social media allegations claiming misuse of images in the Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari Awards. The Ministry said these claims are incorrect and misleading. The Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari -JSJB initiative was launched on 6 September 2024 to make water conservation a people’s movement. The campaign focuses on creating low-cost water recharge structures such as rainwater harvesting systems, recharge pits and revival of defunct borewells.
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Grandmaster Arjun Erigaisi suffered a shattering semifinal loss to top Uzbek player Nodirbek Abdusattorov at the World Blitz Championship in Doha yesterday. 22-year Erigaisi settled for a bronze medal. With Erigaisi in stunning form and having already beaten Abdusattorov on day one of the competition, the Indian was expected to go full steam. But things took a difficult turn for Erigaisi, who lost the semifinal 2.5-0.5.
Defending champion Magnus Carlsen has stormed into the final to set up a title clash with Abdusattorov after defeating American Fabiano Caruana 3-1 in the other semifinal.
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In Women’s Cricket, India beat Sri Lanka by 15 runs in fifth and final T20 International in Thiruvananthapuram last night. India had set a target of 176 runs before Sri Lanka. Put in to bat, India posted 175 runs for the loss of 7 wickets in stipulated 20 overs.
In reply, Sri Lanka were restricted to 160 runs for the loss of seven wickets in the alloted overs.
Earlier, the Visitors won the toss and opted to bowl. Harmanpreet Kaur was declared the player of the match, while Shafali Verma was adjudged the player of the series.
Harmanpreet Kaur led team made a clean sweep in the five-match series.
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India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast cold days to severe cold day conditions over Bihar. Similar conditions will also prevail in East Uttar Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh. The weather agency predicted dense fog conditions over Northeastern states, West Bengal and Uttarakhand. It also said that heavy rainfall takes place over Jammu-Kashmir, Ladakh and Muzaffarabad. The Met Department said that Cold wave conditions are over Himachal Pradesh, North Interior Karnataka and Telangana.
Several trains experienced disruptions due to dense fog conditions in the National Capital and NCR region today. The Delhi Division of Indian Railways said that the movement of several Delhi-bound trains was also affected today. It said that around 25 trains were delayed by more than 3 hours.
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Ladakh is experiencing cold wave weather during the night hours as the temperature has been continuously falling. The lowest temperature was recorded at Nyoma, in Eastern Ladakh as the minimum temperature dips down to Minus 15.5 Degree Celsius. Drass in Western Ladakh recorded Minus 9.0 Degree Celcius.
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In Jammu and Kashmir, a weak Western Disturbance is affecting the Union Territory, bringing light rain and snowfall to parts of north Kashmir. The upper reaches, including Gulmarg, Sadhna Top, and Tulail Valley, received light to moderate snowfall yesterday, while most other areas remained generally cloudy.
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TODAY’S NEWSPAPERS HEADLINE,
- All newspapers have headlined the passing away of bangladesh’s first woman prime minister Khaleda Zia. The Statesman headlines ” Khaleda Zia dies, leaving a polarising legacy” The Tribune headlines “BNP matriarach Zia, first female PM of bangladesh dies at 80. PM Modi offers condolences, jaishankar to attend funeral
- PM hails 2025 as year of reform, says will keep agenda going headline sthe Hindustan Times, while The Pioneer headlines ” PM calls for mission-mode reforms. PM Modi was speaking at a pre budget meeting where he underscored the transformative reforms undertaken in 2025 that have set India firmly on the path of accelerated growth and development
- UP SIR draft rolls delayed a third time, over 18 percent deletions likely headline sthe Indian Express and The Hindu headlines “EC gives one more week for UP SIR in another extension. The papers add that the draft list will be published on january 6th instead of today.
- And finally two alert delhi policemen trailing a scream foil a suicide attempt in patel nagar. The Times of India in a story says that Head constable yogesh and Ajay ran up 3 flights of stairs , forced open a locked door and lifted the hanging youth’s leg to save his life.
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THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN,
- Election Commission of India revises schedule for Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls in Uttar Pradesh.
- Delhi government clears Bill to simplify compliance, decriminalise minor offences, reduce burden on courts and improve administrative efficiency.
- Railways conducts trial run of upcoming Vande Bharat Sleeper train.
- External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar to attend funeral of former Bangladesh Prime Minister Khaleda Zia in Dhaka today.
- Grandmaster Arjun Erigaisi wins Bronze medal losing the semifinal of World Blitz Chess Championship in Doha.
- And in Women’s Cricket, India beat Sri Lanka by 15 runs in fifth and final T20 International to complete 5-0 sweep.
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