Current Affairs

Central Electricity Authority (CEA) report highlights Hydro Pumped-Storage Projects (PSPs) for India’s clean energy transition, grid stability and long-duration energy storage. PSPs are hydroelectric storage systems using two reservoirs at different elevations: surplus renewable power pumps water upward; during peak demand, water is released through turbines, acting like a large-scale battery. India has ~7 GW installed capacity and ~267 GW potential (58 GW on-stream, 209 GW off-stream); types include open-loop and closed-loop.

Union Budget 2026–27, presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, sets growth/spending, tax and non-tax revenues, and borrowing to bridge the fiscal deficit (income–expenditure gap). Budget changes are constrained by continuity in salaries, pensions, subsidies and tax rates; exports face US-tariff stress. First Advance Estimates peg nominal GDP growth at 8% (10.1% assumed last year). Tax buoyancy assumed 1.1 but near 0.6; collections lag targets. “Minimum Government” measures since 2019 include corporate tax cuts, higher public capex, PLI, income-tax exemptions and GST cuts, yet private corporate investment remains below 2019; foreign investors reduced exposure, pressuring the rupee.

Exercise Agni Pariksha, a first-of-its-kind joint training initiative, was conducted by the Indian Army and Indo-Tibetan Border Police in Arunachal Pradesh to enhance inter-force combat synergy and operational integration. It involved Spear Corps spearhead gunners, an artillery regiment, infantry battalions and ITBP personnel. Collaborative firepower training was validated through live artillery firing, familiarising non-artillery personnel with artillery procedures, coordination and firing missions via supervised drills.

Elena Rybakina won the Australian Open 2026 women’s singles title at Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne, defeating World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka in the final 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 in a three-set match. Rybakina recovered from 0-3 down in the third set. It was her first Australian Open title and second Grand Slam after Wimbledon 2022; Sabalenka suffered a second consecutive Australian Open final loss.

The World Nuclear Association’s World Nuclear Outlook Report projects global nuclear power capacity at 1,446 gigawatt electric (GWe) by 2050, exceeding the 1,200 GWe target under the Declaration to Triple Nuclear Energy launched at COP28 (Dubai, 2023). It estimates China, France, India, Russia and the United States could contribute 980 GWe, urging integration into long-term decarbonisation and energy-security planning and electricity-market reforms.

Coking coal has been added to Part D of the First Schedule of the MMDR Act, 1957 (Critical and Strategic Minerals), citing mineral security and steel needs; ~95% of steel-sector demand is import-dependent. It enables faster approvals and accelerated exploration/mining of deep-seated deposits. Reserves are ~37.37 billion tonnes, mainly in Jharkhand, and in Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal and Chhattisgarh. MMDR also provides DMF, NMET; 2023 amendments enable Central auctioning and exploration licences.

The European Union added Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) to its terrorist list following Iran’s deadly crackdown on protesters. The IRGC is Iran’s most powerful armed force, established soon after the 1979 Islamic Revolution to defend the Islamic system. It has land, air and sea capabilities, oversees strategic weapons, controls the Basij Resistance Force, operates independently of the regular military, and reports directly to Iran’s Supreme Leader.

Astronomers using the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) produced a detailed dark matter map by analysing gravitational effects on ordinary matter, as dark matter is invisible. Dark matter neither emits, absorbs nor reflects light and barely interacts with normal matter. Universe composition: visible matter 5%, dark matter 27%, dark energy 68%. JWST (launched 2021) orbits the Sun at L2 and studies cosmic history from first luminous objects to galaxy and planetary evolution.

During the three-day Acro Festival & SIV Championship Tehri 2026 in Uttarakhand, SDRF rescued two paraglider pilots who fell into Tehri Lake (Tehri Dam reservoir). The artificial reservoir near Tehri Garhwal town formed by diverting Bhagirathi (a Ganga source stream); elevation 1,700 m, depth ~262 m, length 42 km. Tehri Dam: 260 m earth-rockfill multipurpose dam (completed 2006), 1,000 MW + 1,000 MW pumped storage, managed by THDC India (NTPC subsidiary).

Bengaluru-based Alpha Design Technologies Ltd upgraded the Indian Air Force’s Pechora SAM, supporting indigenous modernisation of ageing hardware. Officially S-125 Neva/Pechora, it is a Soviet-origin medium-range, radar-guided system (launcher plus fire-control unit) typically using V-600 missiles and 4R90 Yatagan radar (five parabolic antennas). It intercepts low/medium-altitude targets, including drones/cruise missiles, under jamming; detects up to 100 km; fires 30–35.4 km; engages 20 m–20–25 km; ~92% kill probability; two targets up to 900 m/s.

Sunabeda Wildlife Sanctuary, Nuapada district, Odisha, recently declared ‘Maoist-free’, is reported by forest officials as emerging as a promising leopard habitat, with an estimated population of over 70. Declared a sanctuary in 1983, it adjoins Chhattisgarh’s Sitanadi and Udanti sanctuaries. It features a plateau, canyons and 11 waterfalls; forms the Jonk (Mahanadi tributary) catchment, with a dam for irrigation. Vegetation is dry deciduous tropical forest; flora includes Bija, Teak, Sisoo, Asan, Dharua, Mahul, Char, Sandalwood, Sidha. Fauna includes Barasingha, tiger, leopard, hyena, deer, gaur, sambar, sloth bear and hill myna.

The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare notified 2026 amendments to the New Drugs and Clinical Trials (NDCT) Rules, 2019 to simplify regulation, reduce approval timelines and promote ease of doing business while ensuring public health and safety. Implemented via CDSCO using NSWS and SUGAM Portal modules, non-commercial manufacture shifts from licences to online prior intimation; high-risk drugs still need test licences. Timelines reduce by 90+ days; test-licence processing halves to 45 days; low-risk BA/BE studies get waiver with online intimation.

MoEFCC notified Solid Waste Management Rules, 2026 (effective 1 April 2026), amending SWM Rules, 2016 under Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, to strengthen sustainable management, Polluter Pays, circular economy and EPR. Mandatory source segregation: wet (compost/bio-methanate), dry (MRF), sanitary (separate), special-care (authorised). Bulk generators (≥100 kg/day, 40,000 L/day, or 20,000 sq m) must manage waste/on-site wet processing or obtain EBWGR certificate; user fees allowed. Buffer zones mandatory for facilities >5 t/day; CPCB to guide; portal to monitor. RDF use to raise fuel substitution 5% to 15% in six years; landfilling limited to inert/non-recoverable; tourist fees and local wet-waste processing in hotels; implementation committees set up.

A new plant species, Hoya nagaensis, has been recorded from Nagaland and reported in the international journal Kew Bulletin. It belongs to the milkweed group (genus Hoya, waxflowers) with milky sap, typically climbing/hanging vines. Found in high-altitude temperate, community-protected forests at a single location, it is provisionally IUCN Critically Endangered due to shifting cultivation and forest disturbance, showing affinity with H. thomsonii and H. coronaria.

PM Narendra Modi paid tributes to Lala Lajpat Rai (born 28 January 1865, Ludhiana district, Punjab). Joined Arya Samaj in 1882; part of Lal-Bal-Pal; advocated Swadeshi, Swaraj and militant nationalism; opposed Punjab Colonisation Act and irrigation rate hikes. In 1905, with Gokhale, represented Indian grievances in England; during WWI campaigned in USA; founded Indian Home Rule League of America (1916). INC President (Calcutta, 1920); supported Non-Cooperation post Jallianwala Bagh; led 1928 Simon Commission protests in Lahore and died after lathi-charge. Known as Punjab Kesari; wrote Unhappy India and The Story of My Deportation.

Union Budget 2026–27, presented in Parliament by Finance and Corporate Affairs Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, is first prepared in Kartavya Bhawan and structured around three kartavya for Viksit Bharat: growth, inclusion and resilience. Since 15 Aug 2025, 350+ reforms include GST simplification and labour code notification. Public capex rises to ₹12.2 lakh crore (BE 2026–27); ₹10,000 crore SME Growth Fund announced. DFC Dankuni–Surat and 20 National Waterways (from NW-5, Odisha) planned. Fiscal deficit targeted at 4.3% and debt-GDP 55.6%. New Income Tax Act, 2025 effective April 2026; TCS under LRS cut to 2%.

Prime Minister addressed the first India–EU Business Forum in New Delhi, held during the 16th India–EU Summit. Launched in 2026, it aims to strengthen India–EU economic partnership via trade, investment and business collaboration, supporting the India–EU FTA (concluding 2026; EU India’s 22nd FTA partner), R&D, services and resilient supply chains. Priorities: de-risking EVs/batteries/semiconductors/APIs; defence/space/telecom/AI; green transition (hydrogen/solar/smart grids); nuclear SMR cooperation. India (4th) and EU (2nd) together form 25% of global GDP; EU–India goods trade USD 137.41 billion (2023–24).

France’s National Assembly passed (116–23) a bill to ban under-15s from accessing social media platforms and embedded social networking features (e.g., Facebook/Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, Snapchat), mandating EU-law-compliant age verification. It goes to the Senate; government targets implementation by September (next academic year). It also extends school smartphone bans to high schools. Macron cited youth violence and mental-health risks; 2024 Harris Interactive found 73% support.

India reports widespread vitamin D deficiency: 30–50% have levels <20 ng/dl (insufficiency 21–30; sufficiency 31–75; toxic >100). Vitamin D is fat-soluble (with A, E, K), difficult to excrete; excess may cause toxicity. Types: D2 (ergocalciferol; almonds, mushrooms) and D3 (cholecalciferol; fish, egg, liver); vegetarian diets often poor. Causes include low sunlight exposure, pollution and limited dairy fortification. Receptors exist in most tissues; roles include bone-mineral metabolism, immunity and mood. Deficiency is linked to muscle weakness, falls, respiratory infections, TB, cardiovascular and metabolic disorders (diabetes). Fortification needs toxicity testing, limited in India; supplementation follow-up blood test at 2–3 months; intake: children/adults 600–800 IU/day, elderly 800–1000, pregnant women 1000–1200.

Scuba divers reported a rare live sighting of whale shark (Rhincodon typus) off Visakhapatnam’s Chinna Rushikonda coast, highlighting monitoring needs in India’s coastal waters. The world’s largest fish inhabits epipelagic and coastal–oceanic zones, migrating along India’s east coast (Visakhapatnam, Kakinada, Machilipatnam). It is Endangered and listed in Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972; threats include fishing/by-catch, ship strikes, pollution and irresponsible tourism.

International Data Privacy Day is observed annually on 28 January, designated in 2006 by the Council of Europe, commemorating the signing of Convention 108, the world’s first legally binding international treaty on data protection. It promotes awareness on personal data privacy in the digital age, with shared responsibility of government, platforms and citizens. India, the world’s 3rd-largest digitalised economy, follows DPDP Act, 2023 and DPDP Rules, 2025; Budget 2025-26 allocates Rs 782 crore for cybersecurity.

India’s Gallantry Awards are conferred by the President, Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, for acts of bravery, valour or self-sacrifice in wartime and peacetime. Wartime awards (instituted 26 January 1950): Param Vir Chakra, Maha Vir Chakra, Vir Chakra. Peacetime awards (instituted 4 January 1952): Ashoka Chakra Class I–III, renamed in 1967 as Ashoka Chakra, Kirti Chakra and Shaurya Chakra. The Ministry of Defence invites recommendations twice yearly from the Armed Forces and Union Ministry of Home Affairs; awards are announced on Republic Day and Independence Day.

Two Bactrian camels will feature in the 2026 Republic Day Parade. The Bactrian camel (Camelus bactrianus), named after Bactria (ancient Central Asian region), is a large even-toed ungulate native to Central Asian steppes and arid zones, including the Gobi and Taklamakan deserts. In India, about 300–400 occur, all in Ladakh’s Nubra Valley. It has two fat-storing humps, thick winter fur, tolerates −30°C to 40°C, and is IUCN Critically Endangered.

Some States have reported issues over the Governor’s address to the State Legislature at the start of the year’s first session, raising questions on Articles 175 and 176. Article 175 allows the Governor to address or send messages to the House(s) anytime (discretionary), while Article 176 mandates a special address at the first session after each general election and the first session each year. Both are on Council of Ministers’ aid and advice, as affirmed in Nabam Rebia (2016).

The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) conducted a high-altitude rescue and road restoration operation at Chatergala Pass (~10,500 ft) in Jammu & Kashmir to restore connectivity between Bhaderwah (Doda district) and Basohli (Kathua district). BRO, established in 1960, has been under the Ministry of Defence’s administrative control since 2015. It strengthens border connectivity and strategic infrastructure (roads, tunnels) through civilian-military personnel.