Current Affairs

The 18th India–Japan Strategic Dialogue in New Delhi reaffirmed the Special Strategic and Global Partnership (upgraded 2014). Key outcomes included a private-sector economic security dialogue on semiconductors, critical minerals, ICT, clean energy and pharmaceuticals; a Japan–India AI Strategic Dialogue under JAI; early convening of a Joint Working Group on Mineral Resources; and Japan’s plan to invite 500 highly skilled Indian AI professionals by 2030. Cooperation continues under CEPA (2011), the 2+2 defence dialogue and the Mumbai–Ahmedabad high-speed rail project.

Supreme Court upheld the Lok Sabha Speaker’s inquiry committee on allegations against Justice Yashwant Varma, holding that rejection of a removal motion in one House does not bar the other House from proceeding. Removal of SC/HC judges is under Articles 124 and 218 for proven misbehaviour/incapacity, regulated by the Judges Enquiry Act, 1968; motion needs 100 (LS)/50 (RS) signatures; a 3-member committee inquires; removal requires special majority in both Houses and a President’s order.

The RBI notified the Reserve Bank–Integrated Ombudsman Scheme (RB-IOS) 2026, effective from July 1, 2026, as a cost-effective, expeditious, non-adversarial alternate grievance redress mechanism for complaints on services of RBI-regulated entities. RBI may appoint Ombudsman/Deputy Ombudsman (generally 3 years) and set up a Centralised Receipt and Processing Centre. No dispute-amount limit; compensation up to ₹30 lakh; appeals within 30 days; regulated entities must appoint a Principal Nodal Officer.

A satellite-visible phytoplankton bloom (tiny photosynthetic organisms proliferating rapidly) recently encircled the Chatham Islands in the austral summer. The South Pacific group lies ~800 km east of New Zealand and is its easternmost territory, comprising 10 mainly volcanic islands with limestone areas. Only Chatham and Pitt are inhabited; the islands are the first inhabited place to see sunrise. Moriori (Rekohu) and Māori (Wharekauri) names persist; Moriori descendants live there. Population ~720; main settlement Waitangi (also Te One, Port Hutt, Kāingaroa, Ōwenga); economy relies on fishing, farming, tourism.

PM inaugurated the 28th Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of the Commonwealth (CSPOC) in New Delhi, highlighting India’s commitment to share open-source tech platforms with the Global South. CSPOC comprises Speakers/presiding officers of Commonwealth national parliaments; created in 1969 by Lucien Lamoureux (Canada), with secretariat support from Canada; independent, unaffiliated to CPA/Commonwealth Secretariat/CHOGM; two-year cycle (biennial conference, interim Standing Committee). Commonwealth: voluntary 56 states, mostly ex-British; no constitution/bylaws; consultative functioning; Charter (Dec 2012) values democracy, good governance, human rights, rule of law, sustainable development, peace; administered by London-based Commonwealth Secretariat; Gabon and Togo joined in 2022; India is largest member (~60% population).

Recent geological studies identify Australia’s Finke River as the world’s oldest continuously surviving river system (c. 300–400 million years). About 640 km long, it traverses Northern Territory and parts of South Australia in the arid interior; Arrernte people call it Larapinta. Though intermittent, waterholes and dry channels form one system. It cuts quartzite MacDonnell Ranges gorges, explained by antecedence. Evidence includes erosion patterns, sediments and radioactive isotope dating; survival is linked to an entrenched channel and slow geological change.

Google launched TranslateGemma on January 15, 2026, an open suite of translation-focused AI models built on Gemma 3. It supports translation across 55 languages, with 4B, 12B and 27B parameter variants for deployment from mobile/edge to cloud (GPUs/TPUs). Training uses two-stage fine-tuning (supervised + reinforcement learning). Evaluated on WMT24++; training expanded to nearly 500 language pairs; improves text-in-image translation.

Latest crocodile census shows an increase in Similipal National Park, Mayurbhanj, Odisha (2750 sq km), named after the Simul tree. It is a National Park, Tiger Reserve, Wildlife Sanctuary, Biosphere Reserve and part of Mayurbhanj Elephant Reserve, in the Deccan Peninsular biogeographic zone, with Western Ghats–Eastern Ghats–eastern Himalayan biodiversity. Features Joranda and Barehipani waterfalls; highest peaks Khairiburu–Meghashini (1515 m). Tribal groups include Kolha, Santhala, Bhumija, Bhatudi, Gondas, Khadia, Mankadia and Sahara. Vegetation: moist mixed deciduous (Sal dominant), tropical semi-evergreen pockets, dry deciduous and grasslands; holds 7% flowering plants and 8% of India’s orchids; known for tiger, elephant, hill mynah; highest tiger population in Odisha and unique melanistic tigers.

Scientists confirmed India’s first reported pufferfish poisoning due to tetrodotoxin (TTX). Pufferfish (order Tetraodontiformes; toadfish/patkafish/balloonfish/fugu) are omnivorous, benthic, found in Western Ghats and Ganga–Brahmaputra–Mahanadi basins; Indian waters have 8 genera and 32 species; IUCN: Vulnerable. TTX is a heat-stable, water-soluble potent neurotoxin blocking nerve sodium channels, causing paralysis/respiratory failure/death, likely originating from symbiotic/ingested bacteria (Vibrio, Pseudomonas, Aeromonas, Bacillus).

Swedish aerospace and defence firm Saab showcased RBS-15 (Robotsystem 15) missile capability to destroy identified components of Russia’s S-400 system. Developed by Saab Bofors Dynamics, RBS-15 is a fire-and-forget surface-to-surface/air-to-surface anti-ship missile with land-attack capability; range 200 km, subsonic Mach 0.9, 200-kg HE pre-fragmented warhead. It uses INS+GPS, radar altimeter and Ku-band seeker, low signatures, ECM resistance, and MEPS planning.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah laid the foundation stone for India’s first fully state-funded, state-controlled BSL-4 facility at Sector-28, Gandhinagar. Built under Gujarat State Biotechnology Mission, it is a national facility via DBT MoU; 11,000 sq m, ₹362 crore; planned mid-2022; operated by Gujarat Biotechnology Research Centre (BSL-2+, SARS-CoV-2 sequencing). Complex has BSL-4/3/2 and ABSL-4/3 modules; regulated per CDC, NIH, DBT, ICMR; enables diagnostics/vaccines/therapeutics, outbreak response, and animal research (earlier sent to ICAR-NIHSAD). India’s functional civilian BSL-4 is NIV Pune; DRDO set up BSL-4 at Gwalior (late 2024); ICAR-NIHSAD Bhopal ABSL-3+ upgrading to ABSL-4 (June 2025), ICAR-ICFMD Bhubaneswar ABSL-3Ag; ~69 BSL-4 labs globally. VRDL: 165 labs (154 BSL-2, 11 BSL-3); ICMR: 21 labs (1/8/12); DST-ANRF IRHPA: 5 BSL/ABSL-3; DBT: 26; ICAR: 9; CSIR: 11.

Department of Posts delivered its first online order booked through the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) on 15 January 2026, as a Logistics Service Provider. The first consignment was booked on 13 January 2026 by UdyamWell and delivered two days later. Under ONDC’s “Click & Book” model, sellers generate pickup requests, pay postage at pickup, and use India Post for tracked pickup, transport and last-mile delivery, improving interoperability and choice for small businesses.

Andhra Pradesh hosts the world’s largest green ammonia project at Kakinada, developed by AM Green via conversion of an existing ammonia-urea complex, with $10 billion investment. Capacity targets: 0.5 MTPA (2027), 1.0 (2028), 1.5 (2030). Backed by ~7.5 GW solar/wind, ~1,950 MW electrolysers and ~2 GW round-the-clock renewables, with storage via pumped hydro (Pinnapuram). Enables India’s first green ammonia exports; long-term supply pact with Germany’s Uniper; offtake talks with Japan and Singapore. Up to 8,000 construction jobs. Aligns with National Green Hydrogen Mission; green ammonia uses renewable power/green hydrogen, for clean shipping fuel, power generation and hydrogen carrier.

The Government has invited nominations for the Sukhatme National Award in Statistics, instituted by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation. It recognises individual, high-quality research contributions aimed at improving the system of official statistics. The award comprises a shawl and memento. It has been conferred in alternate years since 2000. Eligibility: Indian statisticians aged 45 years and above for lifetime contributions and achievements in statistics.

WHO released two global reports reviewing health taxes on sugar-sweetened beverages and alcohol. Such taxes can reduce consumption and help prevent non-communicable diseases (obesity, diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular diseases, mental disorders) while raising government revenue for health. A UK sugary drinks tax (2018) is associated with reduced sugar consumption, reduced obesity and higher revenue. Alcohol has become more affordable as taxes often aren’t adjusted for inflation and income growth. Some sugary products escape taxation, including 100% fruit juices, sweetened milk, and ready-to-drink coffees/teas.

As per the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), India received $51 billion FDI in the last six months. DPIIT Secretary Amardeep Singh Bhatia cited investor confidence due to stable macroeconomy, policy reforms and an expanding market. On National Startup Day (January 16, 2026), 75 Grand Challenges (manufacturing, technology, services) and 20 National Startup Awards were announced; 3,000+ participation requests were received. PM Modi referenced Digital India and the ‘Orange Economy’ at Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue 2026.

ISRO is advancing microgravity biology on microbes, algae and life-support systems. Marine biotechnology develops bioactive compounds/enzymes/biomaterials from marine organisms; space biotechnology studies responses to microgravity and radiation. India has >11,000 km coastline, >2 million sq km EEZ, ~70,000 tonnes/year marine biomass (incl. seaweed) yet imports agar/carrageenan/alginates. Blue Economy, Deep Ocean Mission and BioE3 aim integrated marine biomanufacturing; Sea6 Energy, ClimateCrew and ICAR-CMFRI are scaling solutions, with limited private participation.

Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) issued NPS Vatsalya Scheme Guidelines 2025 for a contributory savings and long-term financial security scheme exclusively for minors. It covers Indian citizens, including NRI/OCI, below 18 years. Account is in the minor’s name, operated by guardian. Minimum initial and annual contribution is ₹250 with no maximum; contributions may be gifted. Guardian selects a PFRDA-registered pension fund. Partial withdrawal after 3 years up to 25% of own contributions for education, medical treatment and specified disabilities, with limits on frequency.

Delhi government said civic bodies rescued and shifted over 6,500 monkeys from residential/commercial areas to Asola-Bhatti Wildlife Sanctuary in the last five years. The 32.71 sq km sanctuary lies on the Southern Delhi Ridge of the Aravalli, on the Delhi-Haryana border, spanning southern Delhi and parts of Faridabad and Gurugram; part of the Northern Aravalli Leopard Wildlife Corridor. It passes Chattarpur Temple, Tughlakabad, Surajkund, Anangpur Dam and Adilabad ruins; has semi-arid flora (dhak, babool, khejri), fauna (leopard, jackal, blue bull, sambar, wild boar, mongoose), 200+ birds (peafowl, crested serpent-eagle, roller) and reptiles (monitor lizard, cobra, Russell’s viper).

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.