SNIPPETS 13 JANUARY 2026

Bhairav Battalions: New high-speed offensive units of Indian Army+ Purpose: Fight hybrid warfare, conduct deep strikes+ Tech focus: Drones, unmanned warfare+ Capabilities: Special Forces–type tasks, Tactical → operational depth+ Debut: Army Day Parade, Jaipur, Jan 15

Orobanche aegyptiaca: India’s largest oilseed crop, mustard facing a major yield threat due to the rapid spread of the parasitic weed Orobanche aegyptiaca in Rajasthan and Haryana+ It is a root-parasitic flowering weed that attaches itself to the roots of crops like mustard, extracting water, carbon and nutrients, leading to severe yield loss+ Its seeds can remain viable in soil for up to 20 years, allowing infestation to recur even after crop rotation+ Cannot survive without a host plant

Global ocean warming: In 2025, oceans absorbed additional 23 zettajoules (ZJ) of heat, the highest ever recorded since the 1960s+ ~90% of excess heat trapped by greenhouse gases is absorbed by the oceans+Global average Sea Surface Temperatures (SSTs) in 2025 were among the highest ever recorded (approximately 0.5°C above the 1981–2010 average)

AyulSAT: 25-kg dedicated tanker-satellite and target spacecraft+ designed to demonstrate fuel transfer, power transfer and data transfer in orbit using a standardized docking and refuelling interface+ Developed by: OrbitAid Aerospace, a Chennai-based Indian space startup+ Launched through: ISRO’s PSLV-C62 mission+ Allows satellites in LEO and GEO to be refuelled instead of being abandoned+ Prevents dead satellites from becoming orbital junk, supporting Debris-Free Space Mission 2030

Swami Vivekananda: Swami Vivekananda’s birth anniversary on 12 January was commemorated as National Youth Day+ Contributions to India’s Socio-Religious Movement: `Universal Vedanta, Unity in Diversity, Practical Spirituality, The Four Yogas+ Major Literary Works: Raja Yoga, Karma Yoga, Lectures from Colombo to Almora, Interpreting the Gita