SNIPPETS 8 JANUARY 2026

NHAI Sets Two Guinness World Records: During Bengaluru–Vijayawada Expressway Construction+ NHAI achieved records for longest bituminous concrete stretch laid in 24 hours during NH-544G corridor construction in Andhra Pradesh+ Showcases infrastructure speed and quality under Bharatmala Pariyojana

All-India Tiger Estimation: Begins in Anamalai Tiger Reserve+ Phase of 6th All-India Tiger Estimation 2026 kicks off in ATR (Tamil Nadu)+ Using the M-STrIPES app for sign surveys, camera traps, etc.  +Covers tigers, co-predators, prey, and habitat+ national report expected 2027

Bio-bitumen: India become first country to commercially produce bio-bitumen+ from biomass, reducing petroleum dependence, lowering emissions+ promoting sustainable road construction+ Milestone in green technology adoption +Bio-bitumen is a bio-based binder derived from renewable sources like vegetable oils, crop stubble, algae, lignin (a component of wood), or even animal manure

Census of India 2027:16th Census overall and the 8th after Independence+ conducted under the Census Act, 1948 and Census Rules, 1990+two phases:  Houselisting and Housing Census (HLHC): April–September 2026 and Population Enumeration (PE): February 2027+administered by the Ministry of Home Affairs, Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner of India+ First fully digital Census

Earth Observation Satellite EOS-N1 (Anvesha): Advanced hyperspectral Earth observation satellite, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) + primarily to support India’s strategic and civilian remote-sensing needs+ to be launched in: January 2026, aboard PSLV-C62 from Sriharikota+ Key functions: Hyperspectral imaging, Strategic surveillance, Environmental monitoring, Urban and infrastructure mapping, Agriculture support