4.5/5
Current Affairs 09th January 2026
AUTHORS 2025
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Godaan: Munshi Premchand
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India Wins Freedom: Maulana Abul Kalam Azad
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The Discovery of India: Jawaharlal Nehru
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Train to Pakistan: Khushwant Singh
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Unarmed Truth: Satyarth Nayak
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Ignited Minds: A. P. J. Abdul Kalam
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Panchatantra: Vishnu Sharma
1. NVIDIA CEO Conferred 2026 IEEE Medal
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Pioneering Accelerated Computing: Huang was recognized for his "visionary leadership" and life-long work in developing accelerated computing, which has moved beyond standard processing to become the foundation for modern AI, robotics, and high-performance computing.
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The $2 Million Prize: For the second consecutive year, the prestigious award includes a USD 2 million cash prize, a significant monetary component that highlights the global importance of engineering and its impact on the modern economy.
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A "New Industrial Revolution": Upon receiving the honor, Huang dedicated the award to the NVIDIA community, noting that the invention of the GPU and the CUDA ecosystem has effectively ignited a new industrial revolution by enabling the training and deployment of large-scale AI models.
Footnotes: NVIDIA's CEO: Jensen Huang, HQ: California, Estd: 1993
2. World’s Largest Electrified Rail System: India
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99.2% Electrification Milestone: By January 2026, India has electrified over 69,427 route kilometers (RKM) of its nearly 70,000 RKM broad-gauge network. This puts the country on the verge of its "Mission 100% Electrification" goal, with 25 states and Union Territories already fully electrified.
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Unprecedented Pace of Work: The scale was achieved through a massive acceleration in infrastructure development. While the average electrification rate was just 1.4 km per day between 2004 and 2014, it surged to over 15 km per day between 2019 and 2025—roughly equivalent to electrifying the entire rail network of Germany in just six years.
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Green Energy & Economic Impact: The shift is a cornerstone of India’s goal to become a Net Zero Carbon Emitter by 2030. It has reduced diesel consumption by billions of liters annually, cutting carbon emissions by approximately 89% compared to road transport. Additionally, the network is increasingly powered by renewable sources, with solar capacity reaching nearly 900 MW across over 2,600 stations.
3. Scientists of RRI develops RDSNS
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Non-Invasive "Quantum Listening": RDSNS is a novel method to measure the density of "cold atoms" (atoms cooled near absolute zero) without disturbing their delicate quantum state. Unlike traditional methods that can destroy or heat the atoms, this technique uses laser beams to "listen" to the natural quantum fluctuations (spin noise) of the atoms.
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Massive Signal Amplification: The RRI team combined traditional spin noise spectroscopy with coherent Raman laser beams, which amplified the weak quantum signals by nearly one million times. This allows for extreme precision, enabling scientists to probe a tiny volume of just 0.01 cubic millimeters—roughly the size of 10,000 atoms.
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Real-Time Quantum Sensing: The technique provides a "new window" into the quantum world by allowing real-time monitoring of atomic clouds. It is expected to be a game-changer for developing next-generation quantum computers, ultra-precise atomic clocks, and portable magnetometers for medical imaging (like room-temperature MRIs) and mineral exploration.
4. Uttarakhand Police Ranks First in ICJS 2.0 National Rankings
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National Leadership in Digital Policing: Uttarakhand secured the first position in the country with a score of 93.46, narrowly leading ahead of Haryana (93.41) and Assam (93.16). This ranking reflects the state's superior efficiency in integrating technological modules across its districts.
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Early Adoption of "One Data, One Entry": The state was recognized for its rapid implementation of the ICJS 2.0 framework, which integrates five critical pillars: Police, Courts, Prosecution, Prisons, and Forensics. By completing most integration modules ahead of the 2026 deadline, Uttarakhand has enabled seamless digital flow for case diaries, charge sheets, and digital evidence.
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Advancing Smart Justice: Under the leadership of Director General of Police (DGP) Deepam Seth, the force is now prioritizing advanced "Smart Policing" modules such as e-Sakshya (digital evidence management), e-Summons, and Nyaya Shruti (electronic judicial proceedings) to ensure time-bound and transparent investigations.
5. Usman Khawaja Announces Retirement from International Cricket
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A Full Circle Farewell: Khawaja played his 88th and final Test match at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG), the same venue where he made his debut against England in 2011. Fittingly, his final appearance ended in a victory as Australia clinched the Ashes series 4–1.
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Breaking Barriers: As the first Pakistan-born and first Muslim cricketer to represent Australia, Khawaja leaves a historic legacy. In his retirement speech, he emphasized his journey as a "proud Muslim colored boy" who overcame racial stereotypes to reach the pinnacle of the sport, hoping to inspire future generations from diverse backgrounds.
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A "Content" Career of Resilience: Khawaja retired with over 6,200 Test runs and 16 centuries at an average of 43.39. His career was defined by a remarkable late-career resurgence, which included winning the ICC Test Cricketer of the Year in 2023 and being a key part of Australia's World Test Championship victory.
6. Australia clinches Ashes series at Sydney Cricket Ground
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SCG Victory and Series Scoreline: Australia clinched the fifth and final Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) with a five-wicket win on Day 5. After bowling England out for 342 in their second innings, Australia successfully chased a target of 160, overcoming a middle-order collapse of 5-59 thanks to a steadying unbeaten partnership between Alex Carey and Cameron Green.
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Mitchell Starc's Record Campaign: Fast bowler Mitchell Starc was named Player of the Series after a historic performance, taking 31 wickets at an average of 19.93. He became the first Australian paceman since Mitchell Johnson in 2013–14 to take more than 30 wickets in an Ashes series, leading an attack that was missing key spearheads like Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins for much of the summer.
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Emotional Milestones: The match served as a historic farewell for Usman Khawaja, who retired from international cricket after his 88th Test. Additionally, Steve Smith etched his name deeper into the record books during the series by surpassing Sir Donald Bradman's long-standing record for the most career runs scored by an Australian against England (over 5,028 runs).
7. A.K. Balasubrahmanian appointed AERB Chairman 2026
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Strategic Three-Year Tenure: Appointed by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC), Balasubrahmanian assumed the role on January 1, 2026, for a period of three years. He succeeds Dr. D.K. Shukla, who completed his term on December 31, 2025.
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Decades of Nuclear Expertise: With nearly 40 years of experience, Balasubrahmanian is considered an "all-round expert" in reactor technology. He previously served as the Director (Technical) on the Board of Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) and held leadership roles in key safety committees for Pressurized Heavy Water Reactors (PHWR).
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Focus on Indigenous Safety: His career has been marked by pioneering the design and development of "first-of-a-kind" (FOAK) systems with indigenous safety features. In his new role, he is expected to lead the AERB during a critical expansion phase as India opens its nuclear power sector further to private enterprises and renewable integration.
Footnotes: AERB's CEO: Dinesh Kumar Shukla, HQ: Mumbai, Estd: 1983
8. Former Union Minister Kabindra Purkayastha passed away
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The "Patriarch" of Northeast BJP: Known as the architect of the BJP in Assam, Purkayastha was a founding member of the party in 1980. He is credited with single-handedly building the party's grassroots foundation in the Barak Valley and the wider Northeast, a region where the party initially had little presence.
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Cabinet Role under Vajpayee: A three-time Member of Parliament from the Silchar constituency (1991, 1998, and 2009), he served as the Union Minister of State for Communications in the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government between 1998 and 1999.
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State Honors and Recognition: In recognition of his immense contribution to public life and social service, the Assam government declared a one-day holiday in the Cachar district, and he was laid to rest with full state honors. In late 2024, he had also been conferred with an honorary doctorate by Assam University for his lifelong dedication to society.
WHAT HAPPENNED TODAY?
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2007: iPhone unveiled → tech revolution.
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2005: Sudan Civil War ends → pathway to South Sudan.
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1992: First exoplanets discovered
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