Daily Current Affairs and GK – 01 January 2026
Here are the major Current Affairs and General Knowledge updates for 1st January 2026 covering National, International, Defence, Sports and Static GK topics useful for UPSC, SSC, Banking, Railway and other competitive exams.
🇮🇳 National Affairs (India)
1. India’s Economy – 4th Largest in the World
India has surpassed Japan to become the world’s fourth-largest economy. According to 2026 projections, India’s GDP stands at approximately USD 4.51 trillion, moving closer to Germany.
Top 5 Countries by Nominal GDP – 2026 (Projected)
| Rank | Country | GDP (Nominal) – 2026 (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| 1️⃣ | United States | $31.82 Trillion |
| 2️⃣ | China | $20.65 Trillion |
| 3️⃣ | Germany | $5.33 Trillion |
| 4️⃣ | India | $4.51 Trillion |
| 5️⃣ | Japan | $4.46 Trillion |
2. AI Research Institution in Gujarat
Gujarat became the first Indian state to establish a national Artificial Intelligence research institution named Indian Artificial Intelligence Research Organization (IAIRO) at GIFT City, Gandhinagar.
3. 50th PRAGATI Meeting
Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired the 50th PRAGATI meeting on 31 December 2025, reviewing infrastructure projects worth ₹40,000 crore across five states. PRAGATI is a monthly review meeting for speedy grievance redressal and project implementation.
4. Tiger Conservation in Bihar
The Bihar government approved a proposal to notify the Kaimur Wildlife Sanctuary as a Tiger Reserve.
5. Labour Codes Reform
The Union Labour Ministry pre-published draft rules for four Labour Codes aiming to streamline 1,228 sections into 480. The new rules extend benefits to gig workers and mandate a 48-hour work week.
🌍 International Affairs
1. Bulgaria Adopts the Euro
Bulgaria officially adopted the Euro as its currency, becoming the 21st member of the Eurozone.
2. First Country to Welcome 2026
Kiribati became the first country in the world to welcome 2026 due to its proximity to the International Date Line.
3. South Korea Exports Record
South Korea recorded an all-time high annual export value exceeding $700 billion in 2025, driven by strong semiconductor demand.
4. Cryptocurrency Legalized in Turkmenistan
Turkmenistan legalized cryptocurrency mining and exchange but restricted its use as legal tender.
5. Diplomacy
India was represented at the funeral of former Bangladesh PM Khaleda Zia by External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar.
🛡 Defence & Technology
1. Pralay Missile Test
On 31 December 2025, DRDO conducted a successful salvo launch of two indigenous Pralay missiles from the same launcher off the Odisha coast. Pralay is a solid-propellant quasi-ballistic surface-to-surface missile with high precision guidance.
2. China’s Hypersonic Missile
China test-fired the YJ-20 (Eagle Strike) hypersonic anti-ship missile from a Type 055 destroyer.
3. ISRO SSLV Test
ISRO conducted a static test of the improved 3rd Stage (SS3) of the Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) at Sriharikota.
4. Naval Procurement
The Ministry of Defence signed contracts worth ₹4,666 crore including procurement of 4.25 lakh Close Quarter Battle (CQB) Carbines for the armed forces.
🏅 Sports & Culture
National Sports Governance Act 2026
The National Sports Governance Act came into force on 1 January 2026, establishing a National Sports Board and dispute tribunal to enhance transparency.
Important Day – 1 January
Global Family Day – Theme: Promoting Peace and Unity. It was officially recognized as an annual event in 2001.
📚 Static GK Updates
- Kiribati – The only country located in all four hemispheres.
- Pralay Missile – Indigenous solid-propellant quasi-ballistic missile.
- SHANTI Act 2025 – Liberalization of India's nuclear sector allowing private and foreign participation.
Stay tuned for daily current affairs updates. Bookmark this page for regular exam-oriented GK content.
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