Daily Current Affairs News: 3rd January, 2026

National News

E-Bill System Rolled Out to Improve Fertiliser Subsidy Management

• The Government of India has launched a digital E-Bill System for fertiliser subsidies, inaugurated by Union Minister JP Nadda, to process nearly ₹2 lakh crore in subsidy payments annually.
• The end-to-end online platform replaces manual files, ensures faster clearances, enhances transparency, creates a strong audit trail, and improves financial governance in the agriculture sector, supporting farmers, food security, and efficient public expenditure management.

India Records Sharp Rise in Tiger Deaths in 2025

• India, home to the world’s largest tiger population, recorded 166 tiger deaths in 2025, up 40 from 2024, according to the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA).
• Madhya Pradesh reported the highest deaths (55) due to territorial infighting caused by habitat pressure and space crunch, while poaching accounted for some cases.
• Despite rising tiger numbers (3,682 in 2022), limited forest corridors and increasing competition pose ongoing conservation challenges.

PM Inaugurates  Sacred Piprahwa Relics in Global Buddhist Exposition

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Grand International Exposition of Sacred Piprahwa Relics, titled “The Light and the Lotus: Relics of the Awakened One”, at Rai Pithora Cultural Complex, New Delhi.
• The exhibition showcases the Piprahwa relics of Bhagwan Buddha, discovered in 1898 and linked to ancient Kapilavastu, highlighting India’s civilizational and spiritual heritage, Buddhist legacy, and successful repatriation of cultural artefacts through sustained government efforts.

State News

Surat Set to Become India’s First Slum-Free City

• Surat (Gujarat) is on the verge of becoming India’s first slum-free city through large-scale in-situ slum redevelopment led by the Surat Municipal Corporation under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) and state housing schemes.
• By replacing slums with permanent multi-storey housing equipped with water, sanitation, drainage, lighting, and roads, Surat is improving urban living standards, reducing inequality, and setting a national model for sustainable urban development (SDG-11).

Delhi Mandates QR Codes on Road Signage for Better Transparency

• The Delhi Public Works Department (PWD) has made QR codes mandatory on all new road signages, allowing citizens to access manufacturer details, materials used, and warranty information.
• Issued on January 1, 2026, the guideline aims to ensure uniformity, better visibility, and accountability in signage, with plans to link QR codes to the PWD Sewa app for reporting issues like potholes, damaged signboards, and road repairs, strengthening public participation and transparency in road maintenance.

International News

Bulgaria Adopts the Euro, Becomes 21st Member of the Eurozone

• Bulgaria has officially adopted the euro, becoming the 21st member of the Eurozone, replacing its national currency, the Bulgarian lev, after years of economic reforms and EU integration.
• The move is expected to boost trade, investment, and financial integration, though it has sparked public division, with concerns over inflation, price rises, and loss of national identity, amid ongoing political instability.

Turkmenistan Legalizes Cryptocurrency Mining and Trading

• Turkmenistan has legalized Cryptocurrency Mining and Crypto Exchanges from January 2026 under a new law signed by President Serdar Berdimuhamedov.
• The reform places Virtual Assets under Civil Law, introduces Central Bank Licensing, and ensures strict State Oversight while denying Legal Tender status to cryptocurrencies.
• Aimed at Economic Diversification, the move seeks to reduce reliance on Natural Gas Exports and promote Digitalization, marking a cautious but notable shift in one of the world’s most Closed Economies.

France Plans Social Media Restrictions for Children Under 15

• France plans to restrict Social Media Use for children under 15, requiring Parental Consent and mandatory Age Verification by platforms.
• The move aims to protect Children’s Mental Health, limit exposure to Harmful Content, and address Cyberbullying and Addictive Online Behaviour.
• Non-compliant platforms could face Financial Penalties, and the proposal may influence EU-Level Digital Safety Rules, reflecting a broader Global Trend toward stricter child online protection.

Banking News

Karthikeyan Manickam Appointed Chairman of ESAF Small Finance Bank

• ESAF Small Finance Bank has appointed former Bank of India Executive Director Karthikeyan Manickam as its new Chairman, strengthening corporate governance, risk management, and regulatory oversight with his vast banking experience.

Industrial Credit Growth Strengthens in November

• Industrial Credit Growth strengthened as RBI Data showed Bank Credit to Industry rising by 9.6% in November 2025, higher than last year. Non-Food Credit grew 11.4%, reflecting steady Economic Activity.
• MSMEs recorded strong double-digit growth, while Infrastructure, Engineering, Textiles, and Petroleum Industries saw healthy lending.
• Services Sector Credit expanded by 11.7%, and Agriculture Credit grew 8.7%, indicating broad-based but balanced Credit Expansion and improving Lending Conditions in India.

RBI’s Financial Stability Report 2025 Highlights Strong Capital Buffers, Rising Risks

• India’s Financial System remains Resilient despite Global Uncertainties, as highlighted in the RBI Financial Stability Report (FSR), December 2025.
• Strong GDP Growth of 7.8% (Q1) and 8.2% (Q2), improved Bank Asset Quality with GNPA at 2.1%, and solid Capital Adequacy (CRAR) support stability.
• However, Rising Unsecured Loans, rapid Fintech-Led Credit Expansion, concerns over Stablecoins, and External Sector Pressures pose emerging Systemic Risks, requiring close Regulatory Monitoring to ensure long-term Financial Stability.\

India’s Forex Reserves Strengthen Near $700 Billion Mark

• India’s foreign exchange reserves rose by $3.29 billion to $696.61 billion as of December 26, 2025, according to RBI data.
• The increase, driven by higher foreign currency assets, reflects stronger external sector resilience, improved capital flows, and the central bank’s efforts to maintain currency stability.
• Strong forex reserves act as a safety cushion, boost investor confidence, and help India manage global financial uncertainties.

Sports News

Sjoerd Marijne Returns as Coach of Indian Women’s Hockey Team

• The Indian women’s hockey team has received a significant boost with the appointment of Sjoerd Marijne as chief coach ahead of the FIH Women’s Hockey World Cup Qualifiers (March).
• A seasoned Dutch coach, Marijne earlier guided India to a historic fourth-place finish at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, the team’s best-ever Olympic performance, and his return is expected to strengthen preparation, strategy, and performance on the global stage.

New Sports Law Begins to Reshape India’s Sports Governance

• National Sports Governance Act, 2025 begins partial implementation from January 1, 2026, reshaping India’s Sports Governance with stronger Transparency and Accountability.
• New bodies like National Sports Board (NSB) and National Sports Tribunal (NST) bring strict Oversight and faster Dispute Resolution.
• Sports Federations face limits on Executive Committee size and mandatory Athlete Representation through Sportspersons of Merit.
• The law aims at Ethical Governance, reduced Political Interference, and improved Athlete Welfare, marking a major reform in Indian Sports Administration.

Science & Technology News

Hyderabad Start-ups Build Mini Satellite for ISRO’s PSLV Launch

• India’s private space sector has achieved a key milestone with Hyderabad-based start-ups TakeMe2Space and EON Space Labs completing testing and integration of the MOI-1 Earth observation mini-satellite.
• Weighing just 14 kg, the satellite will be launched as a co-passenger on ISRO’s PSLV from Sriharikota in January 2026.
• Built at a cost of about ₹2.5 crore, operating in Low Earth Orbit (500 km), and equipped with AI-based onboard data processing, multispectral imaging, and indigenous technology, the mission highlights India’s shift towards low-cost, high-tech, start-up-driven space solutions for commercial and defence applications.

Important Days News

International Mind–Body Wellness Day: Simple Guide to Holistic Health

• International Mind–Body Wellness Day is observed every January 3 to emphasize the link between mental health and physical health.
• The day promotes balanced living, preventive healthcare, mindfulness, healthy eating, and exercise.
• Modern lifestyle issues like stress, poor sleep, and unhealthy habits can harm overall well-being, making holistic health and regular health tests vital for long-term wellness.

Birth Anniversary of Rani Velu Nachiyar: A Pioneer of Anti-Colonial Resistance

• Rani Velu Nachiyar, born in 1730, was a pioneering queen of Tamil Nadu who led one of the earliest armed resistances against British rule, much before 1857.
• Remembered on her birth anniversary on January 3, she fought the British East India Company, formed strategic alliances, encouraged women soldiers, and successfully reclaimed the Sivagangai kingdom, earning the title Veeramangai and leaving a lasting legacy of bravery, leadership, and women’s empowerment.

Savitribai Phule 194th Birth Anniversary: Life and Legacy of India’s First Woman Teacher

• Savitribai Phule, born on January 3, 1831, was a pioneering social reformer from Maharashtra who became India’s first woman teacher and a leading force in women’s education.
• Along with Jyotirao Phule, she opened the first girls’ school in Pune (1848), challenged caste discrimination and gender inequality, and worked for Dalits, widows, and marginalized communities, leaving a lasting legacy of education, equality, and social justice.