{"id":63471,"date":"2026-01-05T18:52:10","date_gmt":"2026-01-05T13:22:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/?p=63471"},"modified":"2026-01-05T18:56:56","modified_gmt":"2026-01-05T13:26:56","slug":"news-in-short-05-01-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/current-affairs\/05-01-2026\/news-in-short-05-01-2026","title":{"rendered":"News In Short 05-01-2026"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Somnath Swabhiman Parv<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS1\/ History and Culture<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Context<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>PM Modi commemorated <strong>1,000 years<\/strong> since the first attack on the <strong>Somnath Temple in 1026 AD<\/strong>, describing the iconic shrine as a timeless symbol of India\u2019s civilisational resilience and unbreakable spirit.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>About Somnath Temple<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Somnath is revered as the <strong>first of the twelve Jyotirlings of Lord Shiva<\/strong>, as mentioned in the <strong>Dwadasha Jyotirling Stotram.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The temple is located at <strong>Prabhas Patan on the western coast of Gujarat<\/strong>, a region historically associated with maritime trade, cultural exchange, and prosperity.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The shrine was first attacked in <strong>January 1026<\/strong> by <strong>Mahmud of Ghazni, <\/strong>marking the beginning of a series of invasions aimed at destroying symbols of Indian civilization.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Despite repeated devastation<\/strong>, the temple was rebuilt multiple times.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Restoration of the Temple<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Ahilyabai Holkar <\/strong>played a crucial role in restoring the temple in the 18th century, demonstrating the role of indigenous rulers in cultural revival.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>After Independence, <strong>Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel<\/strong> envisioned the reconstruction of Somnath.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The present structure was completed and inaugurated on <strong>May 11th 1951, <\/strong>by <strong>Dr. Rajendra Prasad,<\/strong> reflecting the constitutional ethos of cultural freedom.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>K.M. Munshi <\/strong>was instrumental in the reconstruction of the temple.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Swami Vivekananda<\/strong> viewed Somnath as a symbol of India\u2019s national spirit that regenerates despite adversity.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/ddnews.gov.in\/en\/pm-modi-marks-1000-years-of-somnaths-resilience-hails-temple-as-symbol-of-indias-unbroken-spirit\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>DD News<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>World Braille Day<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GSI\/ Society, GS2\/ Social Justice<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Context<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>World Braille Day is observed annually on <strong>January 4,<\/strong> marking the birth anniversary of <strong>Louis Braille.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>About<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The day, celebrated since <strong>2019<\/strong>, is observed to <strong>raise awareness <\/strong>of the importance of Braille as a <strong>means of communication<\/strong> in the full realization of the human rights of blind and partially sighted people.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Braille is essential in the context of freedom of expression and opinion, as well as social inclusion, as reflected in <strong>article 2 of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>According to the 2011 Census, there are 50,32,463 persons with visual impairment in India.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Initiatives for the Empowerment of Visually Impaired Persons<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Braille Development Unit: <\/strong>It is an important constituent of the Department of Special Education and Research.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It contributed to the development of <strong>Braille Codes in different Indian languages<\/strong>. In addition to the current publications, the institute is in the process of developing a <strong>\u2018Manual on Bharti Braille\u2019.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Braille Production: <\/strong>India has developed a robust Braille printing ecosystem through; the <strong>Central Braille Press established in 1951<\/strong>, the <strong>Regional Braille Press established in 2008 <\/strong>at Chennai and<strong> 25 other Braille Presses<\/strong> established by the Government.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>With the combined efforts of these Braille Presses, the Braille literature is published in <strong>14 languages.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pib.gov.in\/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2089993&amp;reg=3&amp;lang=2\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>PIB<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Human Rabies To Be Declared Notifiable Disease In Delhi<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS2\/ Health<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Context<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The Delhi government is set to declare human rabies a notifiable disease in the National Capital Territory of Delhi under the Epidemic Diseases Act.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>What Is a Notifiable Disease?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>A notifiable disease is one that <strong>must be legally reported<\/strong> to public health authorities upon diagnosis or suspicion.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Mandatory reporting enables<strong> real-time surveillance, early detection, rapid response, and evidence-based planning.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Rabies and Its Risks<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Rabies is a <strong>viral infection<\/strong> transmitted through the <strong>saliva of infected animals<\/strong> such as <strong>dogs, cats, bats, and monkeys.\u00a0<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It typically spreads through <strong>bites, scratches, or saliva entering open wounds.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Symptoms <\/strong>may include fever, headache, and nausea; hallucinations and fear of water (hydrophobia).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Post-exposure vaccination<\/strong>, given promptly after a potential exposure, is the <strong>most reliable way<\/strong> to prevent infection.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>According to <strong>India\u2019s National Rabies Control Program<\/strong>, 6,644 suspected human rabies cases and deaths were reported between 2012 and 2022.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>However, the<strong> WHO<\/strong> estimates a far higher toll, at around <strong>18,000\u201320,000 deaths annually<\/strong>, with up to <strong>two-thirds of victims under age 15.<\/strong> India alone accounts for <strong>36%<\/strong> of global rabies deaths.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The issue of rabies is particularly serious because it is almost 100% fatal once symptoms appear.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/health\/delhi-set-to-end-rabies-deaths-with-tracking-mandatory-case-reporting-126010500339_1.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>BS<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Nanobots in Cancer Therapy<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus:GS3\/Science and Tech<\/strong><strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>In News<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Professor at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bangalore Dr. Ambarish Ghosh\u00a0 has developed magnetic nanorobots that can deliver drugs deep into tumors, enabling targeted, minimally invasive cancer therapy with fewer side effects and faster recovery.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Nanobots<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>They\u00a0 are tiny robots designed for specific tasks, such as targeted drug delivery.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>They allow drugs to reach precise disease-affected areas, making treatment more effective and reducing side effects compared to conventional methods.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Applications in Drug delivery&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Magnetic nanorobots mimic bacterial movement with a helix-shaped tail and magnet, allowing them to swim through tissues and deliver drugs precisely to cancer cells without harming healthy tissue.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>They can generate localized heat to destroy tumors, act as drugs themselves, and serve as MRI beacons.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Effective against ovarian and breast cancer and certain bacteria, they also show potential in dental treatments like root canals and tooth remineralization.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img data-dominant-color=\"d5adb0\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"361\" src=\"https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2026\/01\/image-28.png\" alt=\"nanobots in cancer therapy\" class=\"not-transparent wp-image-63472\" style=\"--dominant-color: #d5adb0; width:321px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2026\/01\/image-28.png 600w, https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2026\/01\/image-28-300x181.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Source : <a href=\"https:\/\/indianexpress.com\/article\/explained\/explained-sci-tech\/interview-nanobots-targeted-treatment-cancer-10438551\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">IE<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>India Becomes World\u2019s Largest Rice Producer<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS3\/Economy&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>In News<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>India has become the world\u2019s largest producer of rice, surpassing China.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>India\u2019s rice production has reached 150.18 million tonnes, compared to China\u2019s 145.28 million tonnes.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Rice<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It is the most important food crop of India.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It is predominantly a Kharif or summer crop.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Geographical conditions<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Temperature<\/strong>: Rice requires hot and humid conditions. The temperature should be fairly high i.e. 24\u00b0C mean monthly temperature with average temperature of 22\u00b0C to 32\u00b0C.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Rainfall <\/strong>ranging between 150-300 cm is suitable for its growth in areas of Punjab, Haryana and Western Uttar Pradesh where rainfall is less than 100 cm, rice is cultivated with the help of irrigation.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Soil<\/strong>: Rice is grown in varied soil conditions but deep clayey and loamy soil provides the ideal conditions.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Importance&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It is the staple food crop of a majority of the people in India.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It plays a significant role in the national food and livelihood security system<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It helps earn significant foreign exchange as it is exported to other countries<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Current Status&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>ICAR has developed India\u2019s first genome-edited rice varieties \u2013 DRR Rice 100 (Kamla) and Pusa DST Rice 1. These varieties have the potential to bring about revolutionary changes in terms of higher production, climate adaptability, and water conservation.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;Source :<a href=\"https:\/\/www.newsonair.gov.in\/india-becomes-worlds-largest-rice-producer-says-union-agriculture-minister-shivraj-singh-chouhan\/#:~:text=India%20has%20become%20the%20world&#039;s,to%20China&#039;s%20145.28%20million%20tonnes.\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Air<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Battery Pack Aadhaar Number (BPAN)<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS3\/ Environment<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>In News<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The Union Government has proposed a <strong>Battery Pack Aadhaar Number (BPAN) system <\/strong>to create a <strong>unified digital identity for battery packs<\/strong>, especially electric vehicle (EV) batteries, to ensure their <strong>traceability across the entire lifecycle.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>What is BPAN?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Battery Pack Aadhaar Number (BPAN) is a <strong>21-character unique identification number<\/strong> proposed for every battery pack introduced in the Indian market.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It works like a <strong>digital Aadhaar for batterie<\/strong>s, allowing authorities to track batteries from manufacturing to recycling or disposal.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The focus is <strong>primarily on EV batteries<\/strong>, which form the bulk of India\u2019s lithium-ion battery demand.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>This will promote efficient recycling, second-life use, and safe disposal of batteries.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Key Features of BPAN<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Mandatory Unique ID:<\/strong> Every battery producer or importer must assign a BPAN to batteries sold or used internally.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Lifecycle Data Capture:<\/strong> Covers sourcing of raw materials, manufacturing, usage, performance, repurposing, recycling, and final disposal.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Dynamic Updating:<\/strong> Any major structural or ownership change in the battery requires issuance of a new BPAN.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Visible &amp; Durable Marking:<\/strong> BPAN must be marked on the battery pack at a location that cannot be easily destroyed or degraded.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: TH<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p><strong> Context <\/strong><\/p>\n<li class=\"ms-5\"> PM Modi commemorated 1,000 years since the first attack on the Somnath Temple in 1026 AD, describing the iconic shrine as a timeless symbol of India\u2019s civilisational resilience and unbreakable spirit. <\/li>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><strong> About Somnath Temple <\/strong><\/p>\n<li class=\"ms-5\"> Somnath is revered as the first of the twelve Jyotirlings of Lord Shiva, as mentioned in the Dwadasha Jyotirling Stotram. <\/li>\n<li class=\"ms-5\"> The temple is located at Prabhas Patan on the western coast of Gujarat, a region historically associated with maritime trade, cultural exchange, and prosperity. <\/li>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/current-affairs\/05-01-2026\/news-in-short-05-01-2026\" class=\"btn btn-primary btn-sm float-end\">Read More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[21],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-63471","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-current-affairs"],"acf":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/63471","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=63471"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/63471\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":63477,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/63471\/revisions\/63477"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=63471"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=63471"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=63471"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}