News of The Day: 8th January 2026

News of The Day – 8th January 2026

SOURCES: The Hindu, Indian Express, Live Mint, Business Standard, Economic Times, PIB and AIR, etc

(with Syllabus Relevance)

(GS1: Art and Culture)

• The Vice-President launched the book 
  • “Sing, Dance and Lead: Leadership Lessons from the Life of Srila Prabhupada”
• About ISKCON and its influence around the world.

(GS-2: Polity and Governance)

• About Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) Foundation Day.
• About BIS and its role.
• New standards, certification initiatives for quality assurance in products/services

(GS-2: International Relations)

• About Venezuelan oil post-Maduro development
• Challenges include sanctions legacy, infrastructure issues, and competition from cheaper alternatives.
• Shifting global energy dynamics and implications for India’s oil imports.

(GS-3: Economy)

• RBI data shows banking sector health improving with GNPA ratio at lowest in decades due to better recovery, write-offs, and asset quality management.
• Reflects positive impact of insolvency reforms and economic recovery.

(GS-3: Economy)

• Key Provisions of Draft Pesticides Management Bill, 2025
• Aims to update 1968 Act for safer pesticide regulation, banning hazardous ones, promoting bio-pesticides, and strengthening oversight.

(GS 3: Economy)

• NHAI achieved records for longest bituminous concrete stretch laid in 24 hours during NH-544G corridor construction in Andhra Pradesh. 
• Showcases infrastructure speed and quality under Bharatmala Pariyojana.

• About  bituminous concrete roads.

(GS-3: Environment)

• Phase of 6th All-India Tiger Estimation 2026 kicks off in ATR (Tamil Nadu)
• Using the M-STrIPES app for sign surveys, camera traps, etc. 
• Covers tigers, co-predators, prey, and habitat; national report expected 2027.

(GS-3: Environment)

• About ‘International Year for Rangelands and Pastoralists
• The UN-declared 2026 theme focuses on sustainable management of rangelands, pastoralist livelihoods, biodiversity, and combating desertification.
• India to participate with policy emphasis on grasslands and nomadic communities.

(GS-3: Science & Tech)

• India pioneers commercial bio-bitumen from biomass, reducing petroleum dependence, lowering emissions, and promoting sustainable road construction.
• Milestone in green technology adoption.

• About bio-bitumen. 
  • Sources and Advantages.

• About PSLV-C62 mission
• About EOS-N1 (Anvesha) hyperspectral satellite for strategic/environmental monitoring
• Marks ISRO’s first launch of 2026.