SNIPPETS: 1 JANUARY 2026

ECONOMY

• RBI Trends & Progress of Banking 2024–25 highlights sharp surge in digital retail payments led by UPI + digital value up 17.9%, forming 6% of all payments, while cheques down to 2.4% + volume up 35% showing wider daily adoption + average value fell ₹4,382 → ₹3,830, meaning more small transactions + UPI leads in volume, RTGS leads in value + reflects structural shift to digital, financial inclusion, fintech innovation, rural penetration
• India surpassed Japan to become the world’s 4th largest economy (2025) + GDP growth 4% Jan–Mar, 7.8% Apr–Jun, 8.2% Jul–Sep, average ~8%, resilient despite US 50% tariffs + inflation fell from 4.26% to 0.71%, boosting demand + 2025–26 outlook 6.3%–6.8% with mild slowdown risk + WB/IMF/OECD/ADB/S&P/Fitch project strong 2026 growth + driven by tax revenues, policy support, low inflation, better monsoon

ENVIRONMENT AND GEOGRAPHY

• Botswana announced symbolic donation of 8 cheetahs to India + hosts 1,700–2,000 wild cheetahs, among world’s largest + supports Project Cheetah (launched 2022) to build viable breeding population + Kuno National Park as release site + India lost cheetahs (extinct 1952; last seen 1947) + Asiatic cheetah = Critically Endangered, African = Vulnerable + aims ecosystem restoration of grasslands/savannahs + debate persists on genetic differences between Asiatic & African subspecies

MISCELLANEOUS NEWS

• Kashmir’s Zehanpora excavations unearthed Kushan-period stupas & artefacts, reaffirming Kashmir as a historic hub of Buddhist learning, transmission & philosophy + Buddhism rooted since Mauryan–Ashokan patronage, monasteries & Silk-Route links + Kanishka & Kushans elevated Kashmir globally with Fourth Buddhist Council, doctrinal consolidation & Mahayana spread + Nagarjuna & Madhyamaka philosophy associated with region + evidence from Harwan, Baramulla, Gilgit manuscripts confirms Kashmir’s scholarly + cultural Buddhist legacy