09th January, 2026 Current Affairs (Daily GK Update)

National News

1. India’s First Fully Paperless District Court Inaugurated [2026]

• Chief Justice of India Surya Kant inaugurated India’s first fully paperless district court on January 6, 2026.

• The court is located at Kalpetta, Wayanad district, Kerala.

• The system is developed in-house by Kerala High Court.

• Uses AI tools, digital signatures, voice-to-text, and automated case summaries.

• Aims to reduce pendency, paperwork, and litigation costs.

State in News

2. Uttarakhand Police Tops ICJS 2.0 Rankings [2026]

• NCRB released the ICJS 2.0 rankings, assessing digital policing performance.

• Uttarakhand Police ranked first with 93.46 score.

• Haryana Police ranked second (93.41) and Assam Police third (93.16).

• ICJS integrates police, courts, prisons, forensics, and prosecution.

• Promotes One Data, One Entry for faster justice delivery.

3. Tamil Nadu Launches India’s First Deeptech Startup Policy [2026]

• Tamil Nadu launched India’s first Deep-Tech Startup Policy 2025–26.

• Provides ₹100 crore support for 100 startups.

• Focus sectors include AI, semiconductors, biotech, space.

• Unveiled at Umagine Conference, Chennai.

• Aims to convert research into global products.

4. Somnath Swabhiman Parv Observed in Gujarat [2026]

• Somnath Swabhiman Parv observed from January 8–11, 2026.

• Marks 1,000 years since first attack on Somnath Temple.

• Event held in Gir Somnath district, Gujarat.

• Initiative taken by PM Narendra Modi.

• Emphasises cultural resilience and Sanatan heritage.

Defence News

5. Indian Navy Launches Long-Range Training Deployment to Southeast Asia [2026]

• Indian Navy’s First Training Squadron (1TS) embarked on Long-Range Training Deployment.

• Mission is part of the 110th Integrated Officers’ Training Course (IOTC).

• Vessels include INS Tir, INS Shardul, INS Sujata, and ICGS Sarathi.

• Port calls planned at Singapore, Indonesia, and Thailand.

• Strengthens Act East Policy and Indo-Pacific engagement.

Banking News

6. RBI Cancels Registration of 51 NBFCs [2026]

• RBI cancelled 35 NBFC registrations in January 2026 for non-compliance.

• 16 NBFCs voluntarily surrendered their Certificate of Registration (CoR).

• Action taken under Section 45-IA(6) of RBI Act, 1934.

• Majority of cancelled NBFCs were located in Delhi-NCR.

• Ensures financial stability and consumer protection.

Economy News

7. India’s GDP First Advance Estimates Released by NSO [2026]

• National Statistics Office (NSO) released First Advance Estimates (FAE) of GDP for FY 2025–26 in January 2026.

• India’s Real GDP growth is projected at 7.4%, up from 6.5% in FY25.

• Nominal GDP growth is estimated at 8%, reflecting moderate inflation of ~0.6%.

• Tertiary sector recorded the fastest growth at 9.1%, while agriculture grew 2.7%.

• Estimates guide RBI monetary policy, government expenditure, and investor sentiment.

Awards News

8. Jensen Huang Receives IEEE Medal of Honour [2026]

• Jensen Huang, CEO of NVIDIA, received IEEE Medal of Honour 2026.

• Award carries a USD 2 million cash prize.

• Recognised for contributions to GPU and accelerated computing.

• Enabled breakthroughs in AI and High-Performance Computing (HPC).

• IEEE Medal established in 1917.

9q. Indian Railways Announces Ati Vishisht Rail Seva Puraskar [2026]

• Indian Railways to confer 70th Ati Vishisht Rail Seva Puraskar.

• 100 officers and employees selected.

• Ceremony on January 9, 2026 at Yashobhoomi, New Delhi.

• Awards presented by Ashwini Vaishnaw.

• Recognises innovation, courage, and safety excellence.

Sports News

10. Jinson Johnson Announces Retirement from Athletics [2026]

• Indian middle-distance runner Jinson Johnson retired at age 34.

• Won 1500m gold at 2018 Asian Games, Jakarta.

• Broke 42-year-old 800m national record in 2018.

• Also set 1500m national record at Commonwealth Games.

• Leaves lasting legacy in Indian athletics.

Obituaries News

11. Veteran BJP Leader Kabindra Purkayastha Passes Away [2026]

• Former Union Minister Kabindra Purkayastha passed away at 94.

• He was a three-time MP from Silchar, Assam.

• Served as MoS for Communications (1998–99).

• Considered architect of BJP growth in Northeast India.

• Associated with RSS since 1951.

12. Raisina Science Diplomacy Initiative Launched [2026]

• India launched Raisina Science Diplomacy Initiative (RSDI) 2026.

• Jointly by Office of Principal Scientific Adviser (PSA) and ORF.

• To run alongside Raisina Dialogue 2026 in New Delhi.

• Focus on technology governance and research security.

• Enhances India’s science-policy diplomacy role

13. Hubble Discovers Starless Dark Matter Cloud ‘Cloud-9’ [2026]

• Hubble Telescope discovered Cloud-9, a dark matter-dominated object.

• Located near Messier 94, about 14 million light-years away.

• Classified as Reionization-Limited H I Cloud (RELHIC).

• Contains gas but no stars, termed a “failed galaxy”.

• Offers insight into early universe structure formation.

14. All-India Tiger Estimation 2026 Begins [2026]

• AITE-26 launched on January 6, 2026.

• First phase began at Thanthai Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, Tamil Nadu.

• Uses line transect method for wildlife sampling.

• Covers tigers, prey base, birds, and vegetation.

• Conducted once every four years.

Defence News

15. Mission Sudarshan Chakra Launched for Drone Defence [2026]

• India launched Mission Sudarshan Chakra for air defence modernisation.

• Focus on countering hostile drones and aerial threats.

• Completion target set for 2035.

• Integrates Joint Counter-UAS Grid of three armed forces.

• Uses soft-kill and hard-kill technologies.

Ranks and Reports News

16. Bengaluru Ranked Best City for Women in India [2025]

• Bengaluru ranked India’s best city for women in 2025.

• Ranking released by Avtar, a Chennai-based firm.

• Topped among 125 cities with score 53.29.

• Excelled in industrial inclusion and employment.

• Southern India dominated top rankings.

Miscellaneous News

17. Fatima Al Awadhi Becomes Youngest Arab to Summit Mount Vinson [2026]

• Fatima Al Awadhi (18) summited Mount Vinson, Antarctica.

• Achieved feat on January 6, 2026.

• Mount Vinson height: 4,892 metres.

• Part of Seven Summits Challenge.

• Dedicated climb to UAE leadership.

18. RRI Develops Non-Invasive Cold Atom Measurement Technique [2026]

• Raman Research Institute developed Raman Driven Spin Noise Spectroscopy (RDSNS).

• Technique measures cold atoms without disturbing quantum state.

• Enhances research in quantum computing and sensing.

• Supported by National Quantum Mission.

• Signal amplification up to 1 million times.