Daily Insights January 1, 2026

Daily Insights January 1, 2026

1. INDIA BECOMES THE WORLD’S FOURTH-LARGEST ECONOMY

Context: India has achieved a historic economic milestone, surpassing Japan in nominal GDP terms. This reflects sustained economic growth and structural reforms undertaken by the government.

About the News:

• India’s GDP stands at USD 4.18 trillion, ranking it fourth globally​

• Only the United States (USD 30.6 trillion), China (USD 19.4 trillion), and Germany (USD 5 trillion) are ahead​

• India achieved this position in 2025 after being ranked fifth just two years ago​

• Real GDP growth reached 8.2% in Q2 FY2025-26, marking a six-quarter high​

• International Projections: IMF projects India’s GDP (PPP) could reach USD 20.7 trillion by 2030, potentially becoming the world’s second-largest PPP economy by 2038​

• Expected to displace Germany from third rank within 2.5-3 years with projected GDP of USD 7.3 trillion by 2030​

• World Bank projects 6.5% growth for 2026; Moody’s expects India to remain the fastest-growing G20 economy​

2. BROADBAND SUBSCRIBER BASE CROSSES 1 BILLION MILESTONE

Context: India has achieved a landmark milestone in digital connectivity, reflecting the success of government initiatives toward digitalization and telecommunications infrastructure expansion.

About the News:

• The broadband subscriber base crossed 1 billion (100.37 crore) in November 2025​

• TRAI & Ministry of Communications made this announcement on December 31, 2025​

• In the last 10 years, the broadband subscriber base has increased more than sixfold​

  • November 2015: 131.49 million (13.15 crore) subscribers

  • November 2025: 1 billion (100.37 crore) subscribers​

• Breakdown: 958.54 million mobile broadband and 45.11 million wireline broadband users​

• Market Leaders: Reliance Jio (51 crore subscribers) and Bharti Airtel (31.42 crore) lead the market​

• Average data consumption: 24 GB per wireless subscriber monthly, placing India among world’s highest​

• Average broadband speeds have jumped to 130+ Mbps, reflecting 5G rollout success​

3. SUPREME COURT STAYS ARAVALLI JUDGMENT, CONSTITUTES EXPERT COMMITTEE

Context: The Supreme Court has paused its restrictive definition of the Aravalli Hills, recognizing public concerns about environmental protection and ecological impact. This reflects judicial reconsideration of environmental safeguards.

About the News:

• Supreme Court (CJI Surya Kant) stayed its November 20, 2025 judgment on November 30, 2025​

• Previous judgment had restricted Aravalli definition to hills rising 100 meters above local terrain and within 500-meter clusters​

• Public Concern: In Rajasthan, only 1,048 of 12,081 hills would qualify under this definition, stripping lower ranges of environmental protection​

• New Direction: Supreme Court proposed a high-powered expert committee to reassess ecological impacts and sustainable mining questions​

• Hearing Date: Case scheduled for further consideration on January 21, 2026​

• Historic Significance: Aravallis are among India’s oldest geological formations, stretching 690-800 km across Gujarat, Rajasthan, Haryana, and Delhi​

• Acts as crucial barrier against Thar Desert’s eastward spread and plays vital role in groundwater recharge​

4. YEAR-END REVIEW: MSME SECTOR RECORDS 7.3 CRORE REGISTRATIONS

Context: India’s MSME sector consolidated its role as an economic backbone in 2025, achieving significant milestones in formalization, credit support, and employment generation.

About the News:

• Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises released year-end review on December 30, 2025​

• 7.3 crore enterprises registered on Udyam Registration Portal and Udyam Assist Platform by December 2025​

• Employment Generation: PMEGP generated estimated employment for over 87 lakh persons since inception​

• Credit Support: CGTMSE approved over 29 lakh guarantees worth Rs 3.77 lakh crore with enhanced coverage to Rs 10 crore​

• PM Vishwakarma Scheme: Achieved target of 30 lakh beneficiary registrations, sanctioning Rs 2,257 crore in collateral-free loans​

• Public Procurement Achievement: 25% procurement mandate from MSEs was exceeded, achieving 43.58% in 2024-25​

• National SC/ST Hub (NSSH): Procurement from SC/ST MSEs increased from Rs 99.37 crore (2015-16) to Rs 3,731.47 crore (2024-25)​

• Technology & Skill: ~2.7 lakh MSMEs registered for ZED certification; 52,369 ideas submitted under Hackathon 5.0​

5. PRALAY MISSILE SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETES SALVO LAUNCH TRIALS

Context: The DRDO has successfully demonstrated the reliability of the indigenously developed Pralay missile system, advancing India’s defense capabilities.

About the News:

• DRDO conducted salvo launch of two Pralay missiles from same launcher off Odisha coast on December 31, 2025​

• Test executed at approximately 10:30 hours as part of user evaluation trials​

• Both missiles precisely followed intended trajectories and met all mission objectives​

• Missile Specifications: Solid-propellant, surface-to-surface, quasi-ballistic missile with range of 150-500 km​

• Payload Capacity: 500 kg to 1000 kg with capability to carry multiple types of warheads​

• Advanced Features: Equipped with Inertial Navigation System (INS) and RF seeker for high precision​

• Advantage: Quasi-ballistic trajectory (lower altitude with in-flight maneuvers) makes it harder to intercept than traditional ballistic missiles​

• Development: Research Centre Imarat, Hyderabad led development with collaboration from multiple DRDO labs and industry partners​

• Defence Minister Rajnath Singh praised DRDO, IAF, and Army, noting the achievement establishes missile system reliability​

6. HANIMAADHOO AIRPORT: INDIA-MALDIVES INFRASTRUCTURE COOPERATION

Context: The Ministry of Civil Aviation is examining Maldives’ proposal for Indian management of Hanimaadhoo airport, continuing India’s neighborhood-first diplomacy through infrastructure cooperation.

About the News:

• Airports Authority of India (AAI) asked to examine Maldives’ proposal for Indian company involvement in Hanimaadhoo airport management​

• Airport inaugurated on November 9, 2025 by Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu and India’s Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu​

• Funding: USD 800 million Line of Credit via EXIM Bank of India (extended in 2019)​

• Construction Cost: USD 136.6 million (executed by India’s JMC Projects)​

• Strategic Location: Located on Hanimaadhoo island in Haa Dhaalu Atoll, Maldives (north-central Indian Ocean)​

• Development Impact: Catalyst for unlocking northern Maldives’ potential; boosts tourism, trade, and regional connectivity​

• Bilateral Significance: Marks 60th anniversary of India-Maldives diplomatic relations​

• India’s Role: Described as symbol of India’s commitment under “Neighbourhood First” and “MAHASAGAR” vision​

7. GOVERNMENT OF INDIA CALENDAR 2026: “BHARAT@2026” THEME

Context: The Government of India unveiled its 2026 calendar reflecting the nation’s transformation journey, governance priorities, and vision for a developed India (Viksit Bharat) by 2047.

About the News:

• Union Minister Dr. L. Murugan (I&B and Parliamentary Affairs) unveiled the Government of India Calendar 2026 on December 31, 2025​

• Theme: “Bharat@2026: Sewa, Sushasan and Samriddhi” (Service, Good Governance and Inclusive Prosperity)​

• Publishing: Calendar published in 13 Indian languages for linguistic and cultural inclusivity​

• Thematic Focus (12 Monthly Sheets):

  • January: Atmanirbharta se Atmavishwas (self-reliance)

  • February: Samriddh Kisan, Samriddh Bharat (farmers’ prosperity)

  • March: Nari Shakti for New India (women empowerment)

  • April: Saralikaran se Sashaktikaran (governance reforms)

  • May-December: Defense valor, health, dignity, youth, infrastructure, culture, global role​

• Policy Highlights: Captures 2025 reforms including tax relief under new tax regime, GST 2.0 rationalization, four Labour Codes implementation, and employment initiatives​

• Vision: Portrays India as confident in identity, strong in institutions, clear in long-term vision toward Viksit Bharat by 2047​

8. ESIC EXTENDS SPREE 2025 REGISTRATION SCHEME UNTIL JANUARY 31, 2026

Context: The Employees’ State Insurance Corporation has extended the voluntary registration scheme to expand social security coverage, providing additional time for employers to register without past liabilities.

About the News:

• ESIC extended Scheme for Promotion of Registration of Employers and Employees (SPREE 2025) from December 31, 2025 to January 31, 2026​

• Extension approved following representations from employers, employer associations, and State governments​

• Original Period: July 1 to December 31, 2025​

• Objective: Expand social security coverage under Employees’ State Insurance (ESI) Act by encouraging voluntary registration of unregistered establishments​

• Registration Portals: ESIC, Shram Suvidha, and Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) portals​

• Key Relaxations for Unregistered Establishments:

  • No demand of past contributions

  • No inspections required

  • No requirement for prior records​

• Post-Extension Penalty: After January 31, 2026, establishments failing to register will face past contributions, damages, interest, and legal action​

• Social Security Goal: Aligns with Code on Social Security objectives to expand nationwide coverage​

9. INDIA’S MEGA RAIL PROJECTS: CHENAB BRIDGE AND PAMBAN BRIDGE ACHIEVEMENTS

Context: Indian Railways has undertaken landmark 21st-century infrastructure projects transforming connectivity in challenging terrain, showcasing India’s engineering excellence and strategic vision.

About the News:

• Udhampur–Srinagar–Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL): 272-km strategic project costing ₹44,000 crore​

  • Features 36 tunnels (119 km) and 943 bridges

  • All-weather rail connectivity to Kashmir Valley​

• Chenab Rail Bridge (World’s Highest Railway Arch Bridge):

  • Stands 359 meters above the river (higher than Eiffel Tower)​

  • 1,315-meter long steel arch bridge

  • Engineered to withstand high seismic activity and extreme wind conditions​

• Anji Rail Bridge:

  • India’s first cable-stayed railway bridge

  • Constructed over Anji River in mountainous terrain​

• New Pamban Railway Bridge (Tamil Nadu):

  • India’s first vertical-lift sea bridge

  • 2.08-km structure with advanced corrosion-protection systems

  • Cost: ₹550 crore​

  • Features 100 spans (99 spans of 18.3m each, one main span of 72.5m)​

  • Maintains critical rail connectivity to Rameswaram (pilgrimage/tourism center)​

  • Awarded prestigious Steel Structures & Metal Buildings Award 2024​

• Northeast Connectivity Since 2014:

  • Over 1,679 km of new railway track laid

  • 2,500+ route km electrified

  • 470+ road overbridges/underbridges constructed​

  • Bairabi–Sairang new line: Connected Aizawl to national rail network (fourth Northeast capital)​

10. DEDICATED FREIGHT CORRIDOR NETWORK EXPANSION

Context: Indian Railways has significantly expanded freight infrastructure, reducing logistics costs and strengthening economic connectivity through dedicated freight corridors.

About the News:

• Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor (Ludhiana–Sonnagar): 1,337 km fully commissioned​

• Western Dedicated Freight Corridor (JNPT–Dadri): 1,506 km, 93.2% commissioned​

• Combined Coverage: 2,843 km (96.4% operational)​

• Impact: Significantly reduces passenger-route congestion, lowers logistics costs, cuts transit time​

• Economic Benefits: Strengthens industrial and port connectivity, drives faster economic growth​

• Infrastructure Modernisation: 60 stations being redeveloped under Amrit Bharat Station Scheme​

11. INDIA’S ECONOMIC RESILIENCE: MACROECONOMIC INDICATORS AND GROWTH PROJECTIONS

Context: India’s economy demonstrates resilience against global uncertainties, with strong fundamentals supporting sustained growth and structural reforms.

About the News:

• Q2 FY2025-26 Growth: Real GDP grew by 8.2%, marking six-quarter high​

• Supportive Indicators: Low inflation, declining unemployment, strong credit flow, and robust urban demand​

• RBI Projection: Raised growth projection to 7.3% for FY2025-26​

• International Forecasts:

  • World Bank: 6.5% growth in 2026​

  • IMF: 6.6% for 2025, 6.2% for 2026​

  • Asian Development Bank: 7.2% for 2025​

  • Moody’s: 6.4% for 2026, 6.5% for 2027​

  • Fitch: 7.4% for FY26 on stronger consumer demand​

  • OECD: 6.7% for 2025, 6.2% for 2026​

• Global Standing: India remains the fastest-growing major economy and only G20 nation expected to record over 6% growth in coming years​

• Vision 2047: Long-term goal targets high middle-income status anchored in structural reforms, economic resilience, and social progress​

PIB

THE HINDU

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