Current Affairs

Astronomers are studying the L328 molecular cloud (~700 light years away) to map magnetic fields at multiple scales. Molecular clouds are interstellar gas–dust clouds where molecules form; most common is H2. They are cold (<40 K), dense (10^3–10^4 particles/cm^3), span a few to 600 light years, and can reach several million solar masses; >15 light years are “giant” molecular clouds. Star formation depends on gravity–magnetic fields–turbulence; dust hides cores; they form stars/planets via contraction, condensation and accretion, and disperse as new stars’ winds expel gas and dust.

NITI Aayog report urges convergence of Ministry of MSME’s 18 schemes due to overlapping objectives and fragmented implementation. It proposes information convergence (integrating Centre–state data; PM Gati Shakti covers 16 Central ministries) and process convergence (merging similar schemes; Vigyan Dhara as umbrella with three components). It recommends integrating SFURTI with MSE-CDP, rationalising skills into three tiers, and an AI-powered central digital platform, while PMEGP and PM Vishwakarma remain independent. MSME classification follows MSMED Act, 2006 (investment, turnover); sector: ~62% workforce, 45% exports, 30% GDP.

Periodic Labour Force Survey Monthly Bulletin (December 2025) reported an upward trend in Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR) for persons aged 15+ years. The Periodic Labour Force Survey is conducted by the National Statistics Office (NSO), Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI), providing all-India estimates of LFPR, Worker Population Ratio (WPR) and Unemployment Rate (UR) using the Current Weekly Status (CWS) approach (last 7 days reference).

On its 151st Foundation Day, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) deployed 200 Automatic Weather Stations across four major metropolitan cities, aligned with Mission Mausam. IMD, established in 1875, is India’s national meteorological service under the Ministry of Earth Sciences, headquartered in New Delhi, mandated to provide forecasts and severe weather warnings. Mission Mausam boosts weather-climate science, research and services via IMD, IITM Pune and NCMRWF Noida.

IRENA’s 16th Assembly in Abu Dhabi, UAE concluded with adoption of its Medium-term Strategy 2023-2027 Evaluation and Work Programme. IRENA and ILO released “Renewable Energy and Jobs—Annual Review 2025”: 2024 global RE jobs 16.6 million, led by solar PV and dominated by China. India: 1.3 million jobs (7.7%); 2nd in solar PV/hydropower, 4th in liquid biofuels/wind; 4.8% global PV modules; Gujarat 42% and Tamil Nadu 11% capacity. IRENA (intergovernmental; 2009/2010; HQ Masdar City; 170+ members plus EU; India founding) is COP28 “UAE Consensus” custodian and publishes World Energy Transitions Outlook.

Tripura Gramin Bank launched ‘TGB on Wheels’ in January 2026 as India’s first fully solar-powered mobile ATM van by an RRB, supported by NABARD. Running 100% on solar power (no grid or diesel), it provides cash withdrawal and basic account services in rural, remote and interior Tripura, including power-deficit areas. Three vans operate; the concept was introduced in July 2023 and inaugurated by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.

Andhra Pradesh Deputy CM Pawan Kalyan became the first Indian formally inducted into Kenjutsu, a classical Japanese samurai swordsmanship art, an honour usually confined to Japan and granted abroad only in exceptional cases. He earlier received the Takeda Shingen Clan distinction (first Telugu-speaking recipient) under Soke Muramatsu Sensei, and trained in Kendo and Budo philosophy under Hanshi Prof Dr Siddiq Mahmoodi, strengthening India–Japan people-to-people ties.

On 14 January 2026, Israel announced immediate withdrawal from seven UN agencies/affiliated bodies. Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar cited alleged political bias and bureaucratic inefficiency, following an internal review triggered after the US exited 66 international organisations. Israel had already ended cooperation with the UN Office for Children in Armed Conflict (blacklisted in 2024) and UN Women (July 2024). Exits include UNCTAD and ESCWA; planned withdrawals include UNAOC, UN Energy and the Global Forum on Migration and Development. Member states may leave individual UN bodies without exiting the UN.

Delhi High Court Division Bench led by Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya, with Justice Tejas Karia, held PM CARES Fund is entitled to privacy protection under RTI Act, 2005, even if treated as a public authority/“State”. Relying on Section 8(1)(j), it said RTI privacy is statutory, applies equally to third parties, and disclosure needs due process and notice. The case arose from Girish Mittal’s RTI on tax-exemption documents; CIC ordered Income Tax disclosure, set aside by a single judge, now upheld in appeal.

On the 10th Armed Forces Veterans Day, the Defence Minister paid tribute to the courage and sacrifices of the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) in Sri Lanka. The occasion highlighted Operation Pawan, the IPKF’s military operation linked to the Indo–Sri Lanka Accord (29 July 1987). The IPKF remained deployed in Sri Lanka until March 1990 and was withdrawn after a change in the Sri Lankan government’s policy.

Berkeley Earth reported 2025 as the warmest La Niña year globally, despite La Niña being the cooler phase of ENSO. ENSO is a recurring equatorial Pacific ocean-atmosphere phenomenon; El Niño/La Niña are oceanic components and Southern Oscillation is atmospheric. La Niña strengthens trade winds, aids monsoon rainfall, causes colder northern winters, raises flood and Bay of Bengal cyclone risk. El Niño weakens trade winds, can reduce monsoon rain, lower crop yields, raise food prices and intensify heat stress.

NITI Aayog released the Export Preparedness Index (EPI) 2024 for India’s States and Union Territories to assess export readiness, aligned with India’s USD 1 trillion merchandise export target by 2030. The framework has four pillars-Export Infrastructure (20%), Business Ecosystem (40%), Policy & Governance (20%) and Export Performance (20%)-disaggregated into 13 sub-pillars and 70 indicators, including trade & logistics infrastructure and human capital.

Astronomers observed a white dwarf producing a colourful shockwave while moving through space. A white dwarf is the dense stellar core left after a star (e.g., Sun) exhausts nuclear fuel and sheds outer layers as a planetary nebula. It has no fusion but stays hot, ~half Sun’s mass yet Earth-sized, made of helium/carbon/oxygen nuclei and electrons, supported by electron degeneracy pressure. It cools over ~billion years, may become a black dwarf; luminosity aids dating star formation.

NASA is preparing to roll out Artemis II, targeted as early as the first week of February: a four-astronaut, 10-day lunar flyby and return. Second Artemis flight and first crewed mission, it is the first human trip to the Moon’s vicinity since 1972, flying SLS and Orion (3 NASA, 1 CSA), with radiation/health/communications payloads and Pacific splashdown off San Diego. Artemis includes Lunar Gateway and enables Artemis III crewed landing by 2028.

PRAGATI (Pro-Active Governance and Timely Implementation), launched on March 25, 2015, held its 50th meeting. Developed by the PMO with NIC, it is an integrated, interactive platform for grievance resolution and monitoring/review of Government of India programmes and projects, including those flagged by States. It uses real-time visuals, video conferencing, digital data management and geospatial technology; follows a three-tier model (PMO, Union Secretaries, State Chief Secretaries), with monitoring by Cabinet Secretariat and databases re-engineered from CPGRAMS, PMG and MoSPI.

India and China renewed friction over Shaksgam Valley (Trans Karakoram Tract) in J&K; MEA reiterated it is Indian territory and India may take “necessary measures”. Located near Siachen, bordering Xinjiang and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, it is over 5,000 sq km; India says Pakistan illegally ceded 5,180 sq km to China under the unrecognised 1963 boundary agreement. China reportedly built ~75 km all-weather road via 4,805 m Aghil Pass (mid-2024) under CPEC, potentially enabling patrols within 50 km of Indira Col, raising two-front contingencies; linked to “salami slicing”.

India’s urban growth is increasingly driven by small towns. Of nearly 9,000 census and statutory towns, only ~500 are large cities; most have populations below one lakh. Metros face land-price rises, congestion and infrastructure stress, dispersing logistics, agro-processing, warehousing and services to small towns. These absorb migrants but rely on informal work amid weak regulation, poor services and groundwater stress; municipalities remain underfunded, needing integrated planning and stronger finances.

In the Henley Passport Index 2026, India improved to 80th rank from 85th in 2025. The index ranks the world’s passports based on the number of destinations accessible without obtaining a prior visa, using exclusive data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA). In the 2026 edition, Singapore retained its position as the top-ranked passport globally.

Supreme Court directed Central and State Governments to frame and notify rules under Section 38 of the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act, 2009, to implement Section 12(1)(c) mandating 25% free seats for weaker and disadvantaged children. Rulemaking must consult NCPCR/SCPCRs and National/State Advisory Councils. NCPCR/SCPCRs are under the 2005 Act and monitor RTE. RTE gives effect to Article 21A (6–14 years).

Supreme Court split in CPIL v Union of India on Section 17A, PCA 1988 (2018 amendment), requiring prior sanction to investigate public servants. Justice Viswanathan upheld it if sanction decided by Lokpal/State Lokayukta; Justice BV Nagarathna held Article 14 violation. Matter before CJI. Corruption: illegal gratification; max 5-year jail; covers bribing foreign officials; Lokpal Act 2013, CVC 2003, RTI 2005, UNCAC ratified 2011.

India’s January harvest festivals mark seasonal change, the Sun’s northward journey (Uttarayana) and crop harvests. Makar Sankranti (Maharashtra) marks the Sun’s transition into Capricorn. Uttarayana (Gujarat, Rajasthan) features kite flying. Pongal (Tamil Nadu) is a four-day festival: Bhogi, Thai Pongal, Mattu Pongal, Kaanum Pongal, with the Pongal dish. Lohri (Punjab), before Sankranti, marks Rabi harvest with bonfires, folk songs, Bhangra-Gidda. Magh Bihu (Assam) celebrates harvest end with feasts, games and Meji bonfires. Kanuma (Telangana) thanks the agriculture sector.

At the 16th annual IRENA Assembly (2026) in Abu Dhabi, UAE, India reaffirmed commitment to a just, equitable, affordable and sustainable global energy transition. IRENA, an intergovernmental organisation founded in 2009 and headquartered in Abu Dhabi, has 171 members; India is a founder member. Theme: “Powering Humanity: Renewable Energy for Shared Prosperity.” Dominican Republic presides; Vice Presidents: Kenya, Solomon Islands, Spain, Antigua and Barbuda.

Families in Kathputli Nagar, Jaipur (Pink City), preserve Kathputli, among Rajasthan’s oldest folk-art forms. A puppet is an inanimate figure animated by a puppeteer; evidence of puppetry traces to the Indus Valley Civilisation (c. 2500 BC terracotta doll) and Egypt (c. 2000 BC). World Puppetry Day is observed on 21 March, instituted in 2003 by UNIMA. Kathputli (kath-wood, putli-doll) are string marionettes carved from wood, costumed, depicting folk tales, Ramayana-Mahabharata, heroic ballads and social messages with dholak-harmonium accompaniment.

Smooth-coated otter (Lutrogale perspicillata) was recently sighted in the Adyar River at Tholkappia Poonga eco-park, Chennai. It inhabits freshwater-rich rivers, wetlands and lakes, preferring shallow placid waters, with distribution across India from Himalayas to southern India including Western Ghats and northeast. India has three otter types (Eurasian, smooth-coated, small-clawed) of 13 globally. It is IUCN Vulnerable, Schedule I under Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972; threats include habitat loss, fish decline, pollution, poaching and pesticides; an apex predator indicating cleaner rivers.

ISRO’s Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) issued an Expression of Interest to manufacture two sets of Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS-1) structure. BAS-1, planned in Low Earth Orbit, is included in the revised scope of the Gaganyaan Programme as an Indian human spaceflight platform. The first base module (BAS-01) is planned by 2028; the five-module station is targeted to be fully operational by 2035, supporting microgravity research, technology development, innovation and industrial participation.

IIT Madras research, using 15 years of CALIPSO satellite data, links elevated aerosol concentrations with thicker winter fog and larger droplets near the fog top. Aerosols induce vertical mixing through latent heat release, lifting fog tops to about 400–600 m and significantly delaying dissipation. This thickening traps pollutants near the surface, worsening air quality in a feedback loop; reducing aerosol emissions is a key mitigation lever.