Current Affairs

Gstar's Solar Module Series First to Achieve India's New BIS Certification

Gstar announced that its 183N, 210RN series photovoltaic (PV) modules have achieved certification under India's latest Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) requirements, including IS14286:2023. The certification marks an important milestone in Gstar's ongoing commitment to product safety and quality, regulatory compliance, and participation in international PV markets.

In India, BIS certification is mandatory for all PV modules under the Compulsory Registration Scheme (CRS). Only BIS-certified modules are eligible for legal import, sale, and deployment in India, including government and public-sector projects. Achieving certification among the first under the new standard, Gstar's modules are confirmed to meet India's latest technical requirements through testing and audits, demonstrating the manufacturer's strong capabilities in quality management, production consistency, and compliant operations.



Air Marshal Inderpal Singh Walia takes over as Eastern Air Command chief

Air Marshal Inderpal Singh Walia on Sunday assumed charge as the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief (AOC-in-C) of the Eastern Air Command (EAC) of the Indian Air Force.

An alumnus of the National Defence Academy, Air Marshal Walia was commissioned into the fighter stream of the IAF on June 11, 1988. A highly experienced combat pilot, he is qualified on multiple aircraft platforms, including the MiG-21, MiG-23, MiG-27, Jaguar and Su-30 MKI.

He has logged over 3,200 hours of accident- and incident-free flying during his distinguished career spanning more than three decades.



MoU Signing Ceremony between CCRAS and Berhampur University to Digitize Rare Ayurvedic Manuscripts

In a landmark initiative to safeguard and promote India’s medical heritage, the Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS), Ministry of Ayush, and Berhampur University, Odisha, will sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to digitize, catalogue, and publish rare Ayurvedic manuscripts and palm-leaf documents preserved at the South Odisha Cultural Study Centre (SOCSC).

The MoU signing ceremony will be held at the Central Ayurveda Research Institute (CARI), Bhubaneswar, in the august presence of Prof. Geetanjali Das, Honourable Vice Chancellor, Berhampur University, Prof. (Vaidya) Rabinarayan Acharya, Director General, CCRAS, New Delhi and Prof. B.S. Prasad Former President, National Council for Indian System of Medicine (NCISM). The collaboration will be led by the National Institute of Indian Medical Heritage (NIIMH), Hyderabad, a peripheral unit of CCRAS.



Devika Sihag wins maiden Super 300 title, becomes only third Indian women’s singles player

Devika Sihag became only the third Indian women’s singles player to win a World Tour 300 title after triumphing at the USD 250,000 Thailand Masters in Bangkok on Sunday.

The 20-year-old unseeded Indian, who claimed her maiden BWF International Challenge title at the Malaysia International last year, was leading Goh Jin Wei 21-8, 6-3 before her opponent retired with injury in the final.

Devika joined P. V. Sindhu and Saina Nehwal as the only Indians to win a Super 300 women’s singles title.

“I always get super excited when my training partners do well. Devika trains with me and Coach Irwansyah in Bangalore, and her dedication has been incredible to witness up close,” Sindhu wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.



Patna Bird Sanctuary and Gujarat’s Chhari-Dhand get Ramsar tag, India’s wetland count rises to 98

India adds Patna Bird Sanctuary and Gujarat’s Chhari-Dhand to its Ramsar Sites list, pushing the country’s total number of internationally important wetlands to 98 ahead of World Wetlands Day.

India has added two more ecologically significant wetlands to its Ramsar Sites network, strengthening the country’s global conservation footprint just ahead of World Wetlands Day on February 2. Patna Bird Sanctuary in Uttar Pradesh’s Etah district and Chhari-Dhand in Gujarat’s Kutch district have been officially designated as Wetlands of International Importance under the Ramsar Convention.

The announcement was made by Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav on social media platform X, where he underscored the importance of these wetlands as critical habitats for migratory birds, resident species, and rare wildlife.



Former India Hockey Coach and Australian Great Michael Nobbs Passes Away at 72

Former Australian hockey player Michael Nobbs, who coached the Indian men’s team at the 2012 London Olympics, has died today after a prolonged illness. The 72 year old earned 76 international caps for Australia between 1979 and 1985. Nobbs was an integral part of the Australian teams that competed at the 1981 Hockey World Cup in Bombay and the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics. Nobbs took over the coaching of the Indian men’s team in 2011 after it had failed to qualify for the Beijing Games in 2008. Apart from India, Nobbs also coached Japan.



Parimatch Sports Partnered with SG Pipers as Sponsor for the Hockey India League 2026

Parimatch Sports proudly announced its first-ever entry into hockey sponsorship as the official Co-Sponsor of the SG Pipers during the Hockey India League 2026 season. The partnership covered both the men’s and women’s teams and highlighted Parimatch Sports’ commitment to the growth of the sports landscape in Asia and to building meaningful, authentic connections with fans. As a dynamic and competitive franchise in the Hockey India League, SG Pipers showed impressive progress throughout the season. The team delivered exciting performances, combining skill, discipline, and strong collaboration on the field. With each match, SG Pipers demonstrated their determination to compete at the highest level and to engage hockey fans across the country.

“SG Pipers embodied outstanding teamwork, determination, and passion—values that strongly aligned with our brand,” said the Parimatch Sports Press Office. “For us, it was not just about being present on the field, but about being part of every powerful moment that fans experienced alongside this inspiring team.” As part of the partnership, the Parimatch Sports logo was featured on the team’s jerseys. During key moments—such as goals, celebrations, and high-intensity plays—spectators perceived it as an integral part of the team’s journey throughout the season. Supporters also had exclusive opportunities for player access, match tickets, and signed merchandise.



Uttarakhand Honoured As “Best State For Promotion Of Aviation Ecosystem” At Wings India 2026

The award was presented at a ceremony held at Begumpet Airport, Hyderabad, by the Union Minister for Civil Aviation, Shri Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu, and the Secretary of the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA), Shri Sameer Kumar Sinha.

On this occasion, the Secretary of the Uttarakhand Civil Aviation Development Authority (UCADA), Shri Sachin Kurve; Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Ashish Chauhan; Additional Chief Executive Officer, Shri Sanjay Singh Tolia; and Head of Operations, Captain Amit Sharma, were present.

Notably, Wings India 2026 is the country’s premier aviation platform, bringing together policymakers, industry experts, investors, and stakeholders from India and abroad. The recognition received by Uttarakhand on this forum is a matter of pride for the State and is expected to open new avenues for investment and development in the future.



ONGC Launches Pragya-AIX: 26+ AI Apps Unified to Boost Oil & Gas Output

Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC), India's leading energy explorer and producer, has announced the go-live of Pragya-AIX, its groundbreaking Artificial Intelligence and Innovation Exchange.

This marks a significant leap in digital transformation for the national oil company, integrating over 26 intelligent applications into a single, unified digital platform. The initiative moves AI from theoretical pilots to a practical, working ecosystem that powers daily operations across ONGC’s vast network of workcentres.



Central Leprosy Division observes National Leprosy Day with IEC Outreach Programme at Dilli Haat

The Central Leprosy Division (CLD) under the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, on the occasion of National Leprosy Day, organised a comprehensive Information, Education and Communication (IEC) outreach programme at Dilli Haat today.

The programme aimed to promote awareness, early detection, and stigma reduction related to leprosy.

According to the release, a dedicated IEC stall was set up to engage the public and disseminate key messages on the signs, symptoms, prevention, and treatment of leprosy.