Mindplan Monthly Current Affairs — January 2026

⭐ The Double star points ** highlighted in these current affairs are important for your exam. Must Revise before entering exam hall. ⭐

1. POLITY AND GOVERNANCE

1.1. Delimitation

Why in the News: Southern states expressed concerns that population-based delimitation of Lok Sabha seats and Finance Commission funding allocations are unfair.

** Delimitation is the process of fixing the number of seats and boundaries of territorial constituencies in each State for the Lok Sabha and Legislative Assemblies. Responsibility assigned to Delimitation Commission (Boundary Commission). Constituted 4 times in India — in 1952, 1963, 1973, and 2002.

J&K Delimitation Commission (finalized 2022): Reorganized J&K UT into 90 Assembly Constituencies (43 Jammu, 47 Kashmir) and 5 Parliamentary Constituencies under Delimitation Commission Act, 2002 and J&K Reorganization Act, 2019.

Constitutional Provisions

• ** Articles 82 and 170: Readjustment and division of each State into territorial constituencies (Parliamentary and Assembly constituencies) by such authority as Parliament may determine.
• ** Articles 330 and 332: Re-fixing number of seats reserved for SCs and STs in Lok Sabha and Legislative Assemblies.
• Orders of Delimitation Commissions have the force of law and cannot be challenged in court. Come into effect on date specified by the President of India.

Key Judicial Pronouncements

• ** Kishorchandra Chhanganlal Rathod vs. UOI (2024): SC held constitutional courts have power to review Delimitation Commission orders if manifestly arbitrary and irreconcilable to constitutional values.
• Meghraj Kothari v. Delimitation Commission (1966): Judicial interference restricted only to avoid unnecessary delay in election process — does not impose absolute bar.

Issues

• Federal Imbalance: Population-only delimitation benefits high-growth states (UP, Bihar); reduces representation for southern states that controlled population growth.
• Reserved Constituencies: Placement of SC/ST constituencies may not accurately reflect actual demographic distribution.
• Lack of Public Participation and representational imbalance due to census delays.

International Practices

Way Forward

• TFR-adjusted formula for seat allocation — moderates population-based Lok Sabha seats by national and State-level Total Fertility Rate.
• Finance Commission criteria: Income Distance (lower income → higher transfers); Population Size; Demographic Performance (rewards fertility rate reduction).
• Periodic Review ideally after each Census (every 10 years).

1.2. Prevention of Corruption Act (PCA), 1988

Why in the News: Centre for Public Interest Litigation v. Union of India 2026 — SC delivered a split verdict on constitutionality of Section 17A of PCA, 1988.

** Section 17A (inserted by Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Act, 2018): Mandates prior sanction from Government to launch an investigation against a public servant.

Split Verdict

• Justice Viswanathan: Section 17A is constitutionally valid — sanction must be decided by Lokpal or Lokayukta.
• Justice BV Nagarathna: Section 17A violates Article 14 — protects only a class of public servants.
• ** Earlier precedents: Vineet Narain v. Union of India (1997) and Dr. Subramaniam Swamy v. Director, CBI (2014) — Court invalidated provisions requiring prior sanction before investigation of senior public servants.

Key Provisions of PCA, 1988

Reasons for Prevailing Corruption in India

• License Raj system encouraged bribery. High-profile cases: Bofors scandal (1980s).
• Political–Bureaucratic Nexus: Patronage, nepotism. E.g., Adarsh Housing Scam (2010, Maharashtra).
• ** ‘Sanskritization of Corruption’ (coined by Prof. Kaushik Basu, former Chief Economic Advisor): Corrupt behavior displayed for social prestige — normalization of unethical behavior for upward mobility.
• CBI: 7,072 corruption cases pending in courts; 379 cases unresolved for over 20 years (CVC Annual Report).
• India ranked 91 in Corruption Perception Index 2025 (Transparency International) — still categorized as dangerous for journalists reporting corruption.
• ** ~60% (₹19,083 crore) of contributions to 6 political parties (2004-05 to 2022-23) came from undisclosed sources (ADR Report).

Key Anti-Corruption Laws

• Fugitive Economic Offenders Act, 2018: Covers benami transactions, corporate fraud, income tax evasion, PCA and PMLA.
• Whistle Blowers Protection Act, 2014.
• ** Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013: Inquires into corruption allegations against public functionaries including the Prime Minister.
• UNCAC: Legally binding global treaty; India ratified in 2011. RTI Act, 2005. CVC Act, 2003.

1.3. Urban Water Governance

Why in the News: Health crisis in Indore caused by contaminated municipal tap water — NHRC took suo motu cognizance. Pipeline passing beneath a ‘public toilet’ contaminated water with E. coli, Salmonella, Vibrio cholerae causing polymicrobial infections, multi-organ failure and sepsis.

• ** Water supply is a state subject under Seventh Schedule. 74th Constitutional Amendment gave municipalities mandate from water supply to environmental protection.
• National level oversight: Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs through AMRUT and AMRUT 2.0.
• ** BIS drinking water quality standard: IS-10500:2012. Water unfit if bacteriologically contaminated or chemical contamination exceeds limits (e.g., Fluoride >1.5mg/l, TDS >2,000mg/l, Arsenic >0.05mg/l, Nitrates >45mg/l).

Challenges

• Demand–Supply Gap: 21 major cities (Delhi, Bengaluru, Chennai) projected to run out of groundwater by 2020, affecting ~100 million people (NITI Aayog Composite Water Management Index, 2018).
• Non-Revenue Water (NRW): ~38% of India’s water supply is lost. NRW = treated water fed into distribution but lost through physical losses (leaks) or apparent losses (theft, unmetered usage, inaccurate billing).
• E.g., Chennai water crisis (2019) — all four main reservoirs dried up; Bengaluru water crisis (2024).

Key Initiatives

• Jal Jeevan Mission (Urban): Universal water supply to all 4,378 statutory towns — aligned with SDG Goal 6.
• AMRUT 2.0: Rainwater harvesting, Aquifer Management Plan, Pey Jal Survekshan competitive assessment.
• Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch the Rain (2019); Namami Gange Programme.

1.4. Sports Administration

Government constituted Task Force on Capacity Building of Sports Administrators under Khelo Bharat NITI 2025 — chaired by Olympic gold medallist Abhinav Bindra. India’s aim: Top 10 sporting nation by 2036 and hosting the 2036 Olympics.

Key Recommendations

• National Council for Sports Education & Capacity Building: Autonomous statutory body under Ministry of Sports.
• E-Khel Pathshala digital platform by SAI for online training to teachers and community coaches at grassroot level.
• Five-Level Capability Maturity Model for administrators from district to global level.
• Unique Administrator ID (UAID): National registry linked to UAID to track professional development; promotions based on measurable skill acquisition.
• Dual Athlete Career Pathway: Athletes combine performance with leadership education; certification of “Sportsman of Merit”.

Related News — National Sports Governance Rules, 2026

• Notified under National Sports Governance Act, 2025.
• General Body: At least 4 Sportspersons of Outstanding Merit (SOMs), not less than 25 years of age, with 50% women.
• National Sports Board (NSB) notified: Search-cum-Selection Committee chaired by Cabinet Secretary.

1.5. News in Shorts

1.5.1. 50th Meeting of PRAGATI

** PRAGATI (Pro-Active Governance and Timely Implementation): Launched in 2015. Multi-purpose, multi-modal platform for technology-enabled governance. Chaired by Prime Minister. Hosts PM Gati Shakti, PARIVESH, PM Reference Portal. Oxford University’s Saïd Business School termed PRAGATI a global benchmark and “single source of truth” for real-time project monitoring.

• ~94% issues identified across various projects been resolved. ~500 Secretaries of GoI and Chief Secretaries of States have participated.
• Notable unlocked projects: Jammu–Udhampur–Srinagar–Baramulla rail link (approved 1994, commissioned 2025); Navi Mumbai International Airport; Bogibeel bridge.

1.5.2. Census 2027

** House listing operations (first phase) to be conducted April–September 2026. Population Enumeration (second phase) scheduled for February 2027.

• ** India’s First Digital Census — enumerators use mobile apps for data collection.
• ** Historic Caste Enumeration: First nationwide caste enumeration in independent India (last done in 1931) for all communities.
• Digital features: Self-Enumeration Portal; Census Management and Monitoring System (CMMS); HLB Creator (satellite-based web mapping); Census as a Service (CaaS) for evidence-based policy planning.

1.5.3. “Romeo-Juliet” Clause in POCSO Act

** SC highlighted misuse of Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act in consensual adolescent relationships. Court urged the Centre to consider a “Romeo–Juliet clause” to exempt genuine consensual adolescent relationships with minimal age difference from harsh POCSO application.

1.5.4. Land Stack

** Land Stack & Glossary of Revenue Terms (GoRT) launched under Digital India Land Record Modernisation Programme (DILRMP). It is an integrated GIS-based digital platform for land and property records, inspired by global best practices from Singapore, UK, and Finland.

1.5.5. PANKHUDI Portal

Launched by Ministry of Women and Child Development. Integrated CSR and partnership facilitation single-window digital platform. Brings together individuals, NRIs, NGOs, corporate entities and government agencies for women and child development.

1.5.6. ECINET

Election Commission of India launched ECINET Digital Platform at International Conference on Democracy and Election Management (IICDEM) 2026. Beta version piloted during 2025 Bihar Assembly Elections.

2. INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

2.1. Responsible Nations Index (RNI)

** RNI launched by World Intellectual Foundation (WIF), JNU and IIM Mumbai. Evaluates 154 countries. Aggregates 58 indicators into 13 sub-themes and 7 themes forming 3 main dimensions.

• ** Rankings: Singapore (1st), Switzerland (2nd), Denmark (3rd). India: 16th globally — highest-ranked among major Asian nations (excluding Singapore). USA: 66th; China: 68th.
• Core Philosophy: Shift global discourse from Power to Responsibility. Challenges GDP-centric and Western-normative indices (V-Dem, Freedom House).
• Alignment with India’s ethos: Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam — World is One Family.

2.2. Free Trade Agreements (FTAs)

** After signing FTA with New Zealand, India now has FTA with all RCEP countries except China. RCEP = 11 ASEAN states + Australia, China, Japan, South Korea, New Zealand.

Key Recent FTAs Signed by India

WTO Legality

• ** WTO Article XXIV of GATT allows members to form FTAs as exception to MFN treatment, provided they cover “substantially all trade” and do not raise barriers for non-members.

Key Concerns

• Rising trade deficits with FTA partners like ASEAN, Japan, South Korea after signing agreements.
• Low utilization rates by Indian exporters: 5% to 25% due to complex compliance rules.
• India excluded dairy from EU and New Zealand deals to protect domestic farmers.

2.3. India–EU FTA

** India-EU FTA announced at 16th India-EU Summit; makes EU India’s 22nd FTA partner. Negotiations began 2007, suspended 2013, relaunched 2022. EU: India’s 4th largest economy partner. India-EU together = 25% of Global GDP, 1/3rd of global trade, ~2 billion people.

• India-EU bilateral trade in goods (2024-25): INR 11.5 Lakh Crore (exports: INR 6.4 Lakh Crore; imports: INR 5.1 Lakh Crore). Trade in services: INR 7.2 Lakh Crore (2024).

Key Features

• ** India gained preferential access across 97% of tariff lines, covering 99.5% of trade value. 70.4% tariff lines covering 90.7% of India’s exports will have immediate duty elimination.
• Labour-intensive sectors (textiles, apparel, marine, leather, footwear, chemicals) — currently 4%–26% import duty in EU — will face zero duty.
• India offering 92.1% of its tariff lines covering 97.5% of EU exports; 49.6% with immediate duty elimination.
• Services: Broader commitments from EU across 144 services subsectors including IT/ITeS.
• EU-India Security and Defence Partnership (SDP) also signed — EU’s 3rd SDP in Asia after Japan and South Korea.

Key Issues

• CBAM (Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism): EU’s carbon tax may burden Indian exporters with estimated $2–4 billion in annual compliance costs.
• EU has not granted India “data secure” status under GDPR — increases compliance costs for Indian tech firms.
• Implementation could take 5–10 years for full effects to materialize.

About EU

• ** Founded: 1951 by 6 countries (Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands). Current member states: 27. UK officially left EU on January 31, 2020.
• Five Main Institutions: European Parliament, European Council, European Commission, Court of Justice, Court of Auditors.
• Schengen Area: Allows free movement since 1985 — all EU members except Cyprus and Ireland.
• Euro launched 1999; official currency of 21 EU countries.
• ** EURATOM (European Atomic Energy Community) established by Treaty of Rome, 1957. India-EURATOM R&D agreement on peaceful uses of nuclear energy signed July 2020. India is associate member of CERN since 2017.

2.4. USA Strikes on Venezuela

US conducted strikes codenamed ‘Operation Absolute Resolve’ in Venezuela, capturing Venezuelan President. UN Secretary-General expressed deep alarm — strikes violated rules governing use of force and the UN Charter.

• ** Venezuela has vast crude oil reserves — 17% of global crude (largest in the world), mostly in the Orinoco Belt.
• Monroe Doctrine (1823): 3 concepts — Non-colonization; Non-intervention; US Non-interference in Europe. “Donroe Doctrine” (named after President Trump): Transactional Resource Extraction; “Regime Management”; Expansionist Coercion.
• ** Article 2 of UN Charter: Legally mandates states to refrain from use of force (with exceptions like self-defence).
• India’s response: Expressed deep concern; reaffirmed commitment to sovereignty and non-intervention; called for peaceful, diplomatic dialogue.

Way Forward

• ** UNSC Reform: Include G4 nations (India, Japan, Germany, Brazil) and greater African representation to reduce P-5 dominance.
• Multipolar & Inclusive Framework; Strategic Autonomy & Multi-Alignment for India.

2.4.1. US Claim on Greenland

• GIUK Gap (Greenland-Iceland-United Kingdom): Heavily contested maritime corridor for monitoring submarine activities.
• Greenland hosts Pituffik Space Base — integrated into US early-warning radar network. US considers Greenland vital for “Golden Dome” project (space-based missile defense).
• ** Rare Earth Elements (REEs): Greenland has some of the world’s largest untapped REE reserves — Kvanefjeld and Kringlerne sites. US aims to break Chinese monopoly in global rare-earth market.
• “Albedo Effect”: Greenland’s ice sheet reflects solar radiation — planetary cooling mechanism. Could raise global sea levels by more than 7 meters if entirely melted.
• Denmark has indicated invoking NATO Article 5 (collective security) if attacked.

2.4.2. US Withdrawal from International Organizations

US signed presidential memorandum to cease participation in 35 non-UN organizations and 31 UN entities.

• ** USAID (dismantled): Allocated $44.2 billion in 2024 budget — ~42% of all humanitarian aid tracked by the UN in 2024.
• US withdrawal expected to leave 22% budget shortfall for UNFCCC and IPCC.
• ** USA officially left Paris Climate Agreement for the second time in January 2026. Third US exit from UNESCO (previous exits: 1984, 2017).
• Lancet study: Cuts to international aid could lead to more than 22 million deaths from preventable causes by 2030.
• UN regular budget falling by 7% in 2026; ~20% of WHO’s total revenue diminishing.

2.4.3. ‘Board of Peace’ for Gaza

India attended Board of Peace inaugural meeting as observer in Washington D.C. Core element of the US 20-point Gaza Peace Plan, endorsed by UN Security Council Resolution 2803 (2025). Also initiated: National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG) and International Stabilization Force (ISF). Represents shift toward minilateral, leader-centric institutions over universal multilateralism.

2.5. News in Shorts

2.5.1. Third Path Framework / Carney Doctrine

Canadian PM outlined “Third Path” at World Economic Forum 2026, based on “Value-Based Realism”, cooperation of middle powers, and “variable geometry” policy (different coalitions for different issues). Middle powers: India, Canada, Australia, Japan, South Korea, Indonesia, Brazil, several EU states.

2.5.2. Global Risk Report 2026

** Released by World Economic Forum (WEF). Identifies geoeconomic confrontation as the most significant global risk. Short-to-medium term (up to 2028): geoeconomic confrontation, state-based armed conflicts, extreme weather events, rising societal polarisation. Long term (up to 2036): extreme weather events, biodiversity loss and ecosystem collapse. Major risk for India: Cyber insecurity, Inequality, Insufficient public services.

2.5.3. Pax Silica

** India joined Pax Silica initiative and signed India-US AI Opportunity Partnership. US-led initiative for secure, resilient, innovation-driven technology ecosystem covering semiconductors, AI, critical minerals, advanced manufacturing. Members: Japan, South Korea, Singapore, UK, Israel, etc.

2.5.4. Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI)

Spain joined IPOI. ** IPOI launched by India at East Asia Summit 2019 in Bangkok, Thailand. Builds upon India’s SAGAR initiative (2015) — Security and Growth for All in the Region. 7 pillars including Maritime Security, Maritime Ecology, Capacity Building, Disaster Risk Reduction, etc.

2.5.5. UAE President’s Visit to India

• Bilateral trade target: USD 200 billion by 2032. Civil Nuclear Cooperation on Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) under SHANTI Act 2025.
• Digital/Data Embassies: Offshore centres where a nation stores critical digital data for digital continuity and sovereignty.
• ** UAE is India’s third-largest trading partner and second-largest export destination. Bilateral trade nearly USD 100 billion by FY 2024-25 under India-UAE CEPA (2022).

2.5.6. India-Germany Agreements

• India-Germany celebrating 25 years of Strategic Partnership (2025) and 75 years of diplomatic relations (2026).
• Indo-German bilateral trade: USD 50 billion+ in 2024 (Germany = 9th largest FDI investor in India). Defence Industrial Cooperation Roadmap signed.
• Germany announced visa-free transit facility for Indian passport holders.

2.5.7. Shaksgam Valley

** Shaksgam Valley — strategically located in Ladakh, north of Karakoram watershed. Integral part of India. Pakistan-occupied since 1947; unlawfully ceded to China under 1963 China–Pakistan Boundary Agreement. Also known as Trans-Karakoram Tract. Bounded by Kun Lun Mountains and Karakoram range; adjacent to Siachen Glacier.

2.5.8. Diego Garcia

Diego Garcia: Coral atoll in central Indian Ocean, part of Chagos Archipelago. Administered by UK as British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT) from 1965. In May 2025, UK-Mauritius agreement recognized Mauritius as sovereign over entire Chagos Archipelago with UK having 99-year lease of Diego Garcia. Hosts joint UK–US military facility.

2.5.9. Weimar Triangle

India’s first-ever engagement in Weimar Triangle. Regional alliance of France, Germany, and Poland, set up in 1991 in Weimar, Germany. Aim: Promote European integration, political dialogue, security cooperation.

3. ECONOMY

3.1. State Finances

CAG released second edition of Publication on State Finances 2023-24 — consolidated and audited fiscal position of all 28 states (10-year trend: 2014-15 to 2023-24).

Key Fiscal Data

** Economic Survey 2026 on UCTs (Unconditional Cash Transfers): States running UCT schemes is projected to increase more than fivefold between 2022-23 and 2025-26. UCTs range from 0.19% to 1.25% of GSDP and up to 8.26% of total State budgetary expenditure. Concern: can reduce female labour force participation and raise questions about medium-term growth.

Way Forward

• Conditional Cash Transfers (review-based, time-bound). E.g., Mexico’s Progresa/Oportunidades model.
• Independent Fiscal Councils for each state; debt management offices for contingent liabilities.

3.2. Export Preparedness Index (EPI) 2024

** NITI Aayog released 4th edition of EPI 2024. First edition published in 2020. Aligned with India’s objective of achieving USD 1 trillion in merchandise exports by 2030 and Viksit Bharat @2047.

EPI Classification

• Aspirers, Challengers, Leaders — for Large States and Small States/NE States/UTs categories.

Key Findings

EPI Pillars and Weightage

• Export Infrastructure (20%) — power, water, ports, logistics
• Business Ecosystem (40%) — industrial clusters, SEZs, innovation hubs
• Policy & Governance (20%) — One District, One Product (ODOP) example from UP
• Export Performance (20%) — volume, value, diversification

Government Initiatives

• Export Promotion Mission (EPM) — flagship initiative 2025 for MSMEs and labour-intensive sectors.
• Districts as Export Hubs (DEH) — launched 2019.
• Export Facilitation Centres (EFCs) — mentoring for MSMEs.
• Union Budget 2026-27: Complete removal of ₹10 lakh per-consignment value cap on courier exports.

3.3. Public Private Partnership (PPP)

** DEA (Ministry of Finance) created a 3-year PPP project pipeline: 852 projects across Central Ministries and States/UTs with combined total project cost over Rs. 17 lakh crore. This followed ₹12.2 lakh crore public capex in Union Budget 2026-27 (up from ₹2 lakh crore in FY2014-15).

• India: Largest recipient of PPI investment in South Asia — over 90% of region’s total private infrastructure investment. Consistently among top 5 globally (World Bank PPI Report 2024).
• PPPAC: 129 projects with TPC of ₹5.6 lakh crore recommended (2014-15 to 2025-26).

Key PPP Models

Key PPP Initiatives

• PPPAC (PPP Appraisal Committee): Apex body; chaired by Secretary, DEA.
• VGF (Viability Gap Funding) Scheme: Economic sector: up to 40% Capex; social sector: up to 80% Capex + 50% opex for 5 years.
• India Infrastructure Project Development Fund (IIPDF) — 2022.
• ** Vijay Kelkar Committee (2012) recommendations: Independent sectoral regulators for PPP; rational risk allocation; preventing “Obsolescing Bargain” in long-term infrastructure contracts (20-30 years).

3.4. Revision of Consumer Price Index (CPI)

** MoSPI released CPI with new base year 2024. CPI General (January 2026): Year-on-year inflation rate = 2.75%. Food Inflation: 2.13%. Housing Inflation: 2.05%.

Key Changes: CPI 2024 vs CPI 2012

** Laspeyre’s Index Formula used for compiling CPI. RBI relies on CPI (Combined) for inflation targeting (4% ± 2%). CPI formula components: Base Year Price, Base Year Weights (from HCES using MMRP), Current Month’s Price.

3.5. Startup India

** National Startup Day: January 16. Startup India initiative launched on January 16, 2016. January 2026 marked a decade of the Startup India Initiative.

Definition of a Startup

• Incorporated in India as Pvt Ltd Company, Partnership Firm, LLP, or Cooperative Society.
• ** In existence for up to 10 years from date of incorporation.
• Turnover has not exceeded ₹200 crore in any financial year since incorporation.
• Working towards innovation, development, or improvement with scalable business model.

Key Financial Support Schemes

• ** Fund of Funds for Startups (FFS): Managed by SIDBI; corpus ₹10,000 crore; supports SEBI-registered AIFs.
• Startup India Seed Fund Scheme (SISFS): Corpus ₹945 crore for early-stage activities.
• Credit Guarantee Scheme for Startups (CGSS): Collateral-free loans via NCGTC.

India’s Startup Ecosystem Status

• ** India = world’s third-largest startup hub. NIDHI programme generated 1,30,000+ jobs.
• Deep Tech Startup — Modified Limits: Age up to 20 years; Turnover up to ₹300 crore.

3.6. Gig Workers

** Code on Social Security, 2020 for the first time provided definition of gig workers and platform workers. Gig workers represent over 2% of total workforce in India (Economic Survey 2025-26). 77 lakh workers (FY21) to 120 lakh workers (FY25) — 55% increase. Expected to expand to 2.35 crore by 2029-30 (NITI Aayog).

Key Issues

• Algorithmic Asymmetry: Platform algorithms control work allocation, wages, supply-demand matching — workers lack access to algorithms.
• ~40% of gig workers earning below ₹15,000 per month (Economic Survey 2025-26).
• Share of high-skilled gig workers expected to be 27.5% by 2030, while 33.8% for low-skilled workers (NITI Aayog).

Welfare Provisions (Code on Social Security 2020)

• ** Welfare/Social Security Fund: Aggregators must contribute 1–2% of annual turnover (capped at 5% of payments to gig/platform workers) for life/health insurance and pensions.
• e-Shram portal — Unique Aadhaar-linked ID for registration, providing Universal Account Number (UAN); portability of benefits across platforms.
• 12 major aggregators (Zomato, Blinkit, Urban Company, Uber, Amazon, Ola, Swiggy etc.) onboarded to Ayushman Bharat – PMJAY (Union Budget 2025-26).
• State-level: Rajasthan Platform Based Gig Workers (Registration And Welfare) Act, 2023.

Global Regulations

• Spain (2021): ‘ley rider’ (rider law) — food couriers recognised as employees.
• EU Platform Workers’ Directive (2024): Corrected employment status of misclassified gig workers.

3.7. News in Shorts

3.7.1. Duopolies Dominating Indian Market

** Duopoly = two suppliers dominate the market. Increasingly common in India: Ola-Uber (cabs), telecom, food delivery, aviation. Regulatory mechanism: Competition Act, 2002; Competition Commission of India (CCI) — statutory watchdog for competition laws. TRAI (Telecom), DGCA (Aviation) as sectoral regulators.

3.7.2. Non-Performing Assets (NPA)

** Gross NPA ratio of Indian banks dropped to 2.1% by late 2025 — multi-decade low (RBI Report on Trend and Progress of Banking 2024-25). Net NPA ratio: 0.5% (March 2025). GNPA peaked at 11.18% in 2018. NPAs = loans where principal or interest is overdue for more than 90 days. Key initiatives: IBC 2016, SARFAESI Act 2002, ARCs, Indradhanush plan.

3.7.3. RBI Integrated Ombudsman Scheme (RB-IOS), 2026

** Comes into effect July 1, 2026. No limit on dispute amount before RBI Ombudsman. Power to provide compensation up to ₹30 lakh. CRPC (Centralised Receipt and Processing Centre) to be established. Appeal within 30 days before Appellate Authority. RBI Ombudsman appointed generally for 3 years.

3.7.4. RBI Overhauls Priority Sector Lending (PSL) Norms

** PSL target for Small Finance Banks (SFBs) adjusted from 75% to 60% of ANBC. Loans to NCDC (National Cooperative Development Corporation) for cooperative societies now classified as PSL. External auditor certification required.

3.7.5. BEE Star Labelling

** Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) — statutory body under Energy Conservation Act, 2001. New revised star ratings in force. Mandatory Appliances: Ceiling fans, Electric geysers, Tubular fluorescent lamps, Colour Television. Voluntary Appliances: General Purpose Industrial Motor, Computer, Microwave Oven.

3.7.6. OECD Finalises Global Minimum Tax Agreement

** Global Minimum Tax: Based on Global Anti-Base Erosion (GloBE) Model Rules. Ensures large multinational enterprises pay a minimum level of tax on income in each jurisdiction — reducing incentive for profit shifting, ending race to the bottom on corporate tax rates. BEPS = tax planning strategies exploiting loopholes to shift profits to low/no-tax locations.

3.7.7. New Country Partnership Framework (NCPF)

NCPF 2026-2031 signed between India and World Bank for $8–10 billion. Four strategic outcomes: Rural prosperity, Urban transformation (urban population projected to double to 800 million by 2050), Investing in people, Energy security and climate resilience.

3.7.8. Reports in News

• ** Global Economic Prospects (World Bank): India’s growth forecast revised to 7.2% for FY 2025-26 (from 6.3%). Global trade growth projected to decelerate from 3.4% (2025) to 2.2% (2026). Government debt in EMDEs: 55-year high of ~70% of GDP.
• ** Employment and Social Trends 2026 (ILO): 2.1 billion workers projected to be informally employed by 2026. Extreme working poverty fell marginally by 3.1% (2015–2025). India accounts for 3% of world’s manufacturing.
• ** Global Investment Trends Monitor (UNCTAD): FDI inflows in India surged by 73% to $47 billion in 2025.

3.7.9. Coking Coal

** Coking Coal included in Part D of First Schedule of MMDR Act (Critical and Strategic Minerals). Vital raw material in steel production. Currently ~95% of coking coal requirement of steel sector met through imports. Estimated reserves: 37.37 billion tonnes, mainly in Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal, Chhattisgarh. MMDR Act 1957 amendments (2023): introduced exploration license for deep-seated and critical minerals.

3.7.10. Silver

** India imported about 21.4% of global silver trade in 2024 — world’s largest consumer of finished silver. Highest electrical and thermal conductivity makes silver indispensable for electronics. Antibacterial properties used in medical devices, wound dressings, water purification. Silver occurs in ores such as argentite and chlorargyrite (horn silver).

3.7.11. India — World’s Largest Rice Producer

** India (150 MT) surpassed China as world’s largest rice producer. India is also world’s largest rice exporter (20.1 million metric tonnes in 2024–25). Top producing states: Uttar Pradesh (13.8%), Telangana (11.6%), West Bengal (10.6%), Punjab (9.5%), Chhattisgarh (7%). Paddy requires standing water (10–15 cm) for 3/4 of its growing season. Cropping seasons: Aman (winter), Aus (autumn), Boro (summer).

3.7.12. Cattle Breeds

Government registered two high-yielding synthetic cattle breeds: Karan Fries and Vrindavani. New indigenous breeds recognized: Medini (Jharkhand), Rohikhandi (Uttar Pradesh), Melghati (Maharashtra).

3.7.13. Affordable Housing (NITI Aayog Report)

Working definition: Dwelling unit with carpet area up to 60 sq. m. and ₹60 lakh (metropolitan); 90 sq. m. and ₹45 lakh (non-metropolitan). PMAY-U 2.0 (2024): Affordable housing with same carpet area, value not exceeding ₹45 lakh. Recommendations: Designate Affordable Housing Zones in city Master Plans (10% of all residential land); Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) near metro stations.

3.7.14. NPS Vatsalya Scheme

PFRDA issued guidelines for NPS Vatsalya Scheme, 2025. Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Finance. Regulator: PFRDA. Core Objective: Inculcate early, disciplined long-term savings among children for financial security from a young age.

3.7.15. Export Promotion Mission — Credit-Linked Sub Schemes

• Interest Subvention for Export Credit: 2.75% (base rate) on rupee export credit. Annual cap: ₹50 lakh (FY 2025–26). Covers ~75% of India’s tariff lines (HS 6-digit level).
• Collateral Support for Export Credit (via CGTMSE): Guarantee coverage: Micro & Small exporters up to 85%; Medium exporters up to 65%. Maximum limit: ₹10 crore outstanding per exporter per year.

4. SECURITY

4.1. India’s Defence Industry

** Domestic defence production grew from ₹46,425 crore (2014) to record ~₹1.51 lakh crore (FY2025). DPSUs contribute ~77% of output. Defence exports: from ₹686 crore (2013-14) to ₹23,622 crore (2024-25). India now exports to over 100 countries; top buyers: USA, France, Armenia. Military-tech startup funding rose 61 times — from ₹27 crore (2016) to ₹1,653 crore (2025).

Key Initiatives

• ** Defence Industrial Corridors (DICs): Two established in Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu; 11 nodes.
• Positive Indigenisation Lists: Limit imports; encourage local manufacturing — artillery guns, assault rifles, corvettes, sonar systems, transport aircraft, LCHs, radars.
• ** iDEX (Innovations for Defence Excellence): Launched April 2018; grants up to ₹1.5 crore to MSMEs, startups, innovators.
• Liberalized FDI Policy: Up to 74% FDI under automatic route; beyond 74% (up to 100%) through Government route. Total FDI in defence since April 2000: ₹5,516.16 crore.
• DefExpo: Conceptualised 1998; flagship platform for India’s defence industrial capabilities.

Challenges

• Only 27.95% of Defence Budget allocation is for capital expenditure.
• Import dependence on aero engines, propulsion modules, advanced materials, sensors.

4.2. Quantum Technologies in Armed Forces

Chief of Defence Staff released Military Quantum Mission Policy Framework.

• Vision: Joint-ness among Tri-Services for technological dominance in future battlefields.
• ** National Quantum Mission (NQM): Budget outlay ~₹6,000 crores (2023-24 to 2030-31). Builds R&D, infrastructure, startups, and skilled human resources.

Applications of Quantum Technology in Military

4.3. News in Shorts — Weapons and Exercises

• ** Pralay Missile: Indigenous short-range surface-to-surface quasi-ballistic missile by DRDO. Range: 150 to 500 km.
• Dhruv-NG (New Generation): HAL’s twin-engine multi-role helicopter; civilian version with modern avionics.
• ** Suryastra: India’s first Made in India universal multi-calibre rocket launcher (NIBE Limited + Israel collaboration). Precision surface-to-surface strikes up to 300 km; accuracy <5 meters; can fire loitering munitions up to 100 km.
• ** MPATGM (Man Portable Anti-Tank Guided Missile): Third generation, shoulder-launched; designed to counter enemy tanks. Uses Imaging Infrared (IIR) Homing Seeker. Successfully flight-tested against a moving target.
• ** LR-AShM (Long Range Anti-Ship Hypersonic Missile): India’s first long-range hypersonic glide missile for Indian Navy coastal battery. Range: ~1,500 km. Speed: peak Mach 10, average Mach 5. Two-stage solid propulsion system. Stealth: flies at low altitudes.
• ** C-295 Transport Aircraft: India’s first ‘Made in India’ C-295 to be rolled out before September 2026 from Airbus–Tata Final Assembly Line in Vadodara. Medium-range, twin-engine turboprop; flight endurance up to 11 hours; STOL capability.

5. ENVIRONMENT

5.1. Solid Waste Management Rules, 2026

** SWM Rules, 2026 notified under Environment (Protection) Act, 1986; supersedes SWM Rules, 2016; full effect from April 1, 2026. Integrates Circular Economy and Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR).

Key Provisions

• Mandatory Four-stream Segregation at source.
• Bulk Waste Generators (BWGs): Government departments, local bodies, residential societies. Must process wet waste on-site or obtain EBWGR (Extended Bulk Waste Generator Responsibility) certificate.
• Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF): Mandatory use by industrial units, cement plants, waste-to-energy plants. RDF = produced by shredding/dehydrating MSW with high calorific value.
• Landfills: Strictly restricted to non-recyclable, non-energy recoverable waste. Annual audits mandatory.
• Environmental Compensation (EC): Levied on ‘Polluter Pays’ principle for non-compliance.

Waste Data

• Total waste generation projected to increase to 165 million tonnes by 2030 and 436 million tonnes by 2050.
• Only ~39% of waste scientifically processed; 60–70% of waste collected; 15–20% processed.

Best Practices

• Indore Model: India’s cleanest city for 7 consecutive years — 100% door-to-door waste collection.
• SWaCH Pune Model: Waste pickers integrated into formal door-to-door waste collection through Cooperative Organization.

Key Initiatives

• SBM Urban 2.0: All cities garbage-free by 2026.
• Dumpsite Remediation Accelerator Programme (DRAP): “Lakshya: Zero Dumpsites” by October 2026. Over 62% of legacy waste already processed.
• CITIIS 2.0 — circular economy and integrated waste management.

5.2. Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs)

** IIT Roorkee study: Over 31,000 glacial lakes growing across High Mountain Asia (HMA). Glacial lakes in HMA experienced total area increase of 5.5%. Highest area coverage in Eastern Himalaya region.

• ** Since 1990, number, area, and volume of glacial lakes globally have risen by 53%, 51%, and 48% respectively.
• Types of glacial lakes: Moraine-dammed, Ice-dammed, Erosion, and Others.

Notable GLOFs

• 2023: GLOF at South Lhonak — destroyed Teesta III Dam at Chungthang, Sikkim.
• 2021: Chamoli GLOF due to rock and ice avalanche.
• 2013: GLOF in Chorabari glacial lake, Uttarakhand.

Mitigation Strategies

• ** NGRMP (National Glacial Lake Outburst Flood Risk Mitigation Project): Targeted at Arunachal Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Uttarakhand.
• Central Water Commission (CWC): Monitors 900+ glacial lakes; finalized criteria for Risk Indexing of Glacial Lakes.
• IIT Guwahati identified 493 high-risk sites in Eastern Himalayas.
• Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction encourages international cooperation for cross-border GLOF risks.

5.3. News in Shorts

5.3.1. UN High Seas Treaty (BBNJ Agreement)

** BBNJ (Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction) Agreement: Adopted 2023 by Intergovernmental Conference under UN auspices. Legally binding. Becomes third implementing agreement to UNCLOS (after 1994 Part XI Implementation Agreement and 1995 UN Fish Stocks Agreement). 83 nations ratified. India signed but yet to ratify. Covers: marine genetic resources; area-based management tools; EIA; capacity-building and marine technology transfer.

5.3.2. IRENA

** Global renewable energy employment (2024): 16.6 million jobs (highest in Solar PV sector, dominated by China). India: 1.3 million RE jobs (7.7% global share). India: 2nd in Solar PV and Hydropower employment (after China). India holds 4.8% share of global PV module manufacturing; Gujarat leads with 42% capacity, Tamil Nadu 11%.

5.3.3. Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM)

** CBAM: EU’s carbon tax on imports of carbon-intensive goods; world’s first carbon tax — from January 1, 2026 (full enforcement). Sectors covered: Cement, aluminium, fertilisers, iron and steel, hydrogen and electricity. Objective: Prevent Carbon Leakage. Indian exports of steel, aluminium, cement may face higher costs.

5.3.4. Forest Conservation Act Amendments

Amendments to Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Adhiniyam, 1980 (formerly Forest Conservation Act). Assisted natural regeneration and afforestation by government/non-government entities now treated as “forestry activities” — exempts from Compensatory Afforestation (CA) and Net Present Value (NPV) requirements. CAMPA funds collected under CA and NPV under Compensatory Afforestation Fund (CAF) Act, 2016.

5.3.5. Digital Climate Atlas (NICRA — 15 years)

Atlas of Climate Adaptation in Indian Agriculture (ACASA-India) launched. Developed by ICAR-led NARES in collaboration with BISA–CIMMYT. NICRA (National Innovations in Climate Resilient Agriculture) launched by ICAR in 2011. Climate change may reduce yields by 4.5 to 9.0% resulting in ~1.5% GDP loss per year. India’s rainfed area: 51% of net sown area producing ~40% of food.

5.3.6. Environmental Protection Fund

Constituted under Section 16 of Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. Corpus: fines under Air (1981), Water (1974), and Environment (1986) Acts. Allocation: 75% to States/UTs; 25% retained by Centre. Managed by Project Management Unit; audited by CAG.

5.3.7. Ocean Heat Content Record 2025

** Oceans absorbed additional 23 zettajoules (ZJ) of heat in 2025 — highest ever since 1960s. Nearly 90% of excess heat trapped by GHGs is absorbed by oceans. Global average Sea Surface Temperatures in 2025: approximately 0.5°C above 1981–2010 average. Consequences: increased ocean stratification, marine heat waves, coral bleaching, intense cyclones.

5.3.8. Arctic Report Card (ARC) 2025 — NOAA

** Arctic Surface Air Temperatures: Highest on record since 1900. Last 10 years are the 10 warmest on record in Arctic. Atlantification: Influx of lower-latitude water properties into central Arctic Ocean — weakens stratification, melts sea ice. “Rusting of Rivers”: Surface waters turned orange in 200+ watersheds of Arctic Alaska due to iron release from thawing permafrost.

5.3.9. Water Bankruptcy

** UN University report: Planet entered Global Water Bankruptcy era. Water Bankruptcy = persistent condition where long-term water use has exceeded renewable inflows and safe depletion limits — causing irreversible degradation. Distinct from water stress (reversible) and water crisis (temporary/restorable).

5.3.10. GHG Emissions Cut Regime — Carbon Credit Trading Scheme

** Greenhouse Gases Emission Intensity Target (Amendment) Rules, 2025 under EPA 1986. Four new obligated sectors added: Petroleum Refinery, Petrochemicals, Textiles, Secondary Aluminium. Previous sectors: Aluminium, Cement, Chlor-alkali, Pulp & Paper. 208 specific industrial units must reduce GHG emission intensity. Reduction goals: 3% to 7% by 2026-27 (baseline: 2023-24). Failure → purchase Carbon Credit Certificates (CCCs) or pay penalty = twice the average CCC trading price.

5.3.11. Secondary Pollutants

At least one-third of Delhi’s annual PM2.5 pollution attributed to secondary pollutants, mostly Ammonium Sulphate (CREA analysis). Secondary pollutants not directly emitted — form when primary pollutants react with atmospheric molecules. Examples: Ammonium Sulphate, Ozone, NOX. Primary pollutants = directly emitted from sources (vehicles, power plants).

5.3.12. Blue Category of Industries

CPCB classified Common Effluent Treatment Plants (CETPs) as Essential Environmental Services (ESS) under Blue Category of Industries. ESS = facilities essential to control/abate pollution. Key examples: STPs, Waste-to-Energy plants, biomining, composting units. CPCB uses Pollution Index (PI) methodology guided by Precautionary Principle.

5.3.13. ICGS Samudra Pratap

** India’s first indigenously designed Pollution Control Vessel (PCV) commissioned in Goa by Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL). Largest ship in Indian Coast Guard fleet. First of two PCVs being built.

5.3.14. New Ramsar Sites

** India now has 98 Ramsar sites (2 new added). Two new sites: Patna Bird Sanctuary (Etah district, UP — founded 1991; smallest bird sanctuary in UP) and Chhari-Dhand Wetland Reserve (Rann of Kutch, Gujarat; home of Dalmatian Pelican, Oriental Darter, Black-necked Stork; famous for “Chir Batti” ghost lights).

5.3.15. Kaziranga National Park

PM inaugurated Kaziranga Elevated Corridor Project. ** Kaziranga NP: Located between Brahmaputra River and Karbi (Mikir) Hills, Assam. Status: National Park, Tiger Reserve, Important Bird Area, UNESCO World Heritage Site (1985). Junction of Australasia and Indo-Asian flyway. Home to largest population of Indian one-horned rhinoceros.

5.3.16. Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary

Declared as Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ) under Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. ESZs: “transition zone” from high-protection to lesser-protection areas. Generally declared within 10 km area around protected areas.

5.3.17. Hope Island and Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary

Andhra Pradesh developing satellite launching facility (Space City project) on Hope Island (part of Coringa WLS). Hope Island: 16-km sand spit from Godavari delta; protects Kakinada city from storm surges. Coringa WLS: East Godavari District, AP; declared 1978; part of Godavari Mangroves.

5.3.18. Project Dolphin

** Project Dolphin: Launched 15th August 2020. Previous nationwide survey (2021-23) recorded estimated 6,327 riverine dolphins. New survey to include Irrawaddy dolphin in Sundarbans and Odisha. River dolphins: functionally blind, rely on echolocation; apex predators; key indicator species of river health. Superfamily: Platinistoidea.

5.3.19. Bactrian Camel

** Bactrian Camel (Camelus bactrianus): Two humps (store fat). Native to Central Asian steppes (Gobi and Taklamakan deserts). About 300–400 exist in India (Nubra Valley, Ladakh). Temperature tolerance: −30°C to 40°C. Wild Bactrian Camel (Camelus ferus): Endangered (IUCN). Featured in 2026 Republic Day Parade.

5.3.20. Stingless Bees (Meliponini)

Amazon’s stingless bees became first insect to be granted legal rights. Ancient origin: ~80 million years old — world’s oldest bee lineage. Nearly 500 species globally; over 170 in Peru. Sustain 80% of Amazonian flora including cacao and coffee. “Liquid gold” honey prized for antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.

5.3.21. Freshwater Pufferfish

India’s first confirmed case of pufferfish poisoning. Family Tetraodontidae; ~30–35 species. Dangerous due to tetrodotoxin (TTX) — one of most potent neurotoxins. Distribution: Western Ghats, Ganga, Brahmaputra, Mahanadi basins.

5.3.22. Mycorrhizal Networks

Mycorrhizal networks = underground fungal networks connecting roots of multiple plants. Wood Wide Web: underground fungal network in forest ecosystem. Responsible for drawing down 13 billion tonnes of CO₂ into soil systems every year. Tyler Prize (called “Nobel for the environment”) awarded for work on these networks.

5.3.23. Bio-bitumen

** India became first country in the world to commercially produce bio-bitumen in road construction. Made from agricultural waste, lignin, bio-char, bio-oil. Benefits: reduced crude oil imports, addresses stubble burning, boosts bio-economy. Can be used as addition to bitumen or to reduce bitumen quantity.

5.3.24. Bio-Materials

Biomaterials = materials derived entirely or partially from biological sources or created through biological processes. Applications: Bioengineering/Biomedicine, Packaging, Agriculture, Healthcare, Textiles. Sustainable alternatives to petroleum-based products.

6. SOCIAL ISSUES

6.1. Youth’s Role in Nation Building

Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue (VBYLD) 2026 held in New Delhi. Coincided with National Youth Day (12 January), birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda.

• ** India has largest youth population — 50% under 25 years, 65% under 35 years of age.
• India = world’s third-largest startup hub. Youth-led space startups: Skyroot, Agnikul Cosmos.
• Orange Economy: Contributes US$ 11 billion in exports and 8% in employment — driven by India’s creative industry.
• Key initiatives: National Youth Policy (NYP) Draft 2025; Skill India Mission; PM Kaushal Vikas Yojna; YUVAi (Youth for Unnati with AI) by MeitY for Classes 8–12; Model Youth Gram Sabha; Agnipath Scheme; PM SETU Programme.

6.2. Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan (VBSA) Bill, 2025

** Introduced in Lok Sabha; referred to a joint parliamentary committee. Aims to create unified regulatory architecture for higher education under Entry 66 of the Union List (List I).

Major Provisions

• VBSA: Apex regulatory body for higher education (will not control funding).
• ** Three Vertical Councils: Viksit Bharat Shiksha Viniyaman Parishad (regulation); Viksit Bharat Shiksha Gunvatta Parishad (accreditation); Viksit Bharat Shiksha Manak Parishad (academic standards).
• ** Repeal: UGC Act, 1956; AICTE Act, 1987; NCTE Act, 1993.
• Legal and medical education exempt from Bill’s purview.

Issues in Higher Education

• Resource Inequity: ~65% of UGC budget used by Central Universities; State Universities (bulk of students) get only 35%.
• Employability Gap: Only ~55% of Indian graduates considered “employable” (India Skill Report 2025).
• India spends only 0.68% of GDP on R&D — far less than China and USA.

Related News — Student Suicides in HEIs

SC invoked Article 142 in Amit Kumar v. Union of India to address alarming rise in student suicides. Key directions: Unified Well-being Framework; Mandatory Reporting; Fill vacancies in 4 months; Data Centralization; Clear pending scholarships in 4 months.

6.3. News in Shorts

6.3.1. Demographic Winter

** China’s population declined for the 4th consecutive year. Population dropped by 3.39 million to 1.405 billion; births dropped to 7.92 million in 2025. Demographic Winter: Persistent structural decline in population growth; birth rates below replacement rate of fertility (2.1); inverted population pyramid. No longer restricted to developed nations — becoming a global reality.

6.3.2. Menstrual Health in Schools — Integral to Right to Life

** SC held menstrual health in schools is integral to Right to Life under Article 21. Directed pan-India implementation of ‘Menstrual Hygiene (MH) Policy for School-going Girls’ for Classes 6–12. Link to Article 14 (Right to Equality): inaccessibility strips girls’ right to participate on equal terms. Article 21A and RTE Act also implicated. Mandatory: gender-segregated toilets, free sanitary napkins, sensitization of male teachers.

7. SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

7.1. Scramjet Engine

** DRDO’s DRDL successfully ground-tested full-scale, actively cooled, long-duration Scramjet engine. Foundational success for indigenous Hypersonic Missile Development Program. ** India is fourth country to demonstrate Scramjet Engine flight testing — after US, Russia, and China.

• Scramjet (Supersonic Combustion Ramjet) Engine: Improvement over ramjet; operates at hypersonic speeds (Mach 5+); allows supersonic combustion.
• Fuel: Hydrogen; Oxidizer: atmospheric air oxygen.
• No moving parts; no compressor or turbine; requires assisted takeoff.
• Hypersonic weapons types: Hypersonic Glide Vehicles (HGV) and Hypersonic Cruise Missiles (HCM).

7.2. News in Shorts

7.2.1. PSLV-C62/EOS-N1 Mission

** 64th flight of PSLV; 9th dedicated commercial mission by NSIL (New Space India Limited, incorporated 2019 — commercial arm of ISRO). PSLV: 3rd generation launch vehicle; first Indian launch vehicle with liquid stages. “Workhorse of ISRO”: payload up to 1,750 kg to Sun-Synchronous Polar Orbits at 600 km. Notable missions: Chandrayaan-1, Mars Orbiter Mission, Aditya-L1. World record: 104 satellites in single mission (2017). Includes KID (Kestrel Initial Technology Demonstrator) — re-entry vehicle prototype from Spanish startup.

7.2.2. India’s First Private Earth Observation (EO) Satellite Constellation

Pixxel-led Consortium signed agreement with IN-SPACe (India’s nodal agency for private space activities). PPP model; 12 satellites (optical, multispectral, SAR, hyperspectral imaging). Investment: ₹1,200 crore over 5 years. Strategic shift from government-built to industry-operated national EO infrastructure.

7.2.3. Dark Matter

** Dark Matter: Hypothesised form of matter — invisible but inferred from gravitational effects. Does not emit, absorb, or reflect light. Composition of Universe: normal matter (5%), dark matter (27%), dark energy (68%). James Webb Space Telescope observations used to create detailed dark matter map.

7.2.4. Fourth Industrial Revolution (IR 4.0)

** WEF announced 5 new IR 4.0 Centres globally. One in Andhra Pradesh, India — 3rd such centre in India after Mumbai and Telangana. Term coined by Klaus Schwab (WEF founder, 2016). IR 4.0 = convergence of digital, physical and biological technologies (AI, robotics, IoT, quantum computing). ~40% of global employment exposed to AI (IMF). 10 “frontrunner” economies account for 91% of global patent applications in advanced digital production technologies.

7.2.5. Battery Pack Aadhaar Number (BPAN)

** BPAN: Indigenous digital identification system for end-to-end traceability of batteries throughout their lifecycle. Covers EV Batteries and Industrial Batteries with capacity >2kWh. Enables second-life usage, regulatory compliance, efficient recycling.

7.2.6. V2V Communication Technology

** Vehicle-to-Vehicle (V2V) communication: Does not rely on cellular networks; works across front, rear, sides of vehicles; factors in terrain and road curves. Strengthens Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS). India to roll out V2V technology.

7.2.7. Mpemba Effect

Indian scientists developed first supercomputer-powered simulation to capture the Mpemba effect. Long-standing paradox: hotter substances can freeze faster than colder ones. Observed with water; also in other materials and physical systems. Applications: heat engines, refrigeration, quantum computing, materials science.

7.2.8. Nipah Virus

** Nipah Virus: Zoonotic virus (animals → humans). Natural reservoir: Fruit bats (flying foxes). First identified: 1999 outbreak in Malaysia and Singapore. Incubation period: 4–14 days. Transmission: direct contact with infected bats/pigs; contaminated raw date palm sap; human-to-human through body fluids. Only 2 confirmed cases from West Bengal (NCDC).

7.2.9. Staphylococci

Antibiotic-resistant staphylococci found in Delhi environment. Staphylococcus: Gram-positive cocci occurring in clusters. First observed in humans by Von Recklinghausen. Showed tolerance to penicillin and resistance to clinical antibiotics. Types: Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis.

8. CULTURE

8.1. Somnath Temple

** Somnath Swabhiman Parv commemorates 1,000 years since first attack by Mahmud of Ghazni (1026) on Somnath Temple. Location: Prabhas Patan near Veraval, Gujarat. Revered as first among 12 Aadi Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva. Site of Triveni Sangam (Kapila, Hiran and Sarasvati rivers).

Architecture

• Maru-Gurjara (Chalukya/Solanki style): Originated 6th century in Rajasthan and Gujarat. Reached zenith under Chalukya dynasty of Gujarat (Solanki dynasty).
• “Kailash Mahameru Prasad” form: Garbhagriha (sanctum), Sabhamandap (assembly hall), Nrityamandap (dance hall). Crowned by 150-foot Shikhar with 10-tonne Kalash.
• Features: Jharokha (projecting stone window); Chattri (umbrella-shaped dome); Haveli; Jaali; Baoli (stepwell); Johad (rainwater storage).

Historical Attacks and Reconstruction

• ** Mahmud of Ghazni’s raid (1026) during reign of Bhima I — plundered and broke jyotirlinga. Temple also destroyed in 1297, 1394, and 1706 (Aurangzeb). Looted as many as 17 times.
• ** Reconstruction initiated by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel in 1947. Pran Pratishtha done by President Rajendra Prasad on 11 May 1951. Earlier, Ahilyabai Holkar rebuilt it around 1783.

Historical References

• Kalidasa (Raghuvamsa, 5th century) — mentions Somnath-Prabhasa.
• Al-Biruni (Kitab-al-Hind, 11th century) — praised the temple.
• Amir Khusrou (Khazain-ul-Futuh) — recorded destruction by Alauddin Khilji’s army (13th century).

Related — Bhadrakali Inscription

** 1169 CE inscription at Prabhas Patan, Gujarat. Prashasti for Acharya Bhavabrihaspati — spiritual preceptor of Solanki King Kumarapala. Provides legendary history of Somnath Temple across four Yugas — construction in gold, silver, wood, and stone.

8.2. News in Shorts

8.2.1. Padma Awards

** President approved conferment of 131 Padma Awards: 5 Padma Vibhushan, 13 Padma Bhushan, 113 Padma Shri. Includes 19 women, 6 Foreigners/NRI/PIO/OCI, 16 posthumous, 2 Duo cases. Cap: 120 per year (excluding posthumous and foreigners). Not a “title” under Article 18(1) — cannot be used as suffix or prefix (Balaji Raghavan vs. UoI, 1996).

8.2.2. Gallantry Awards

** Wartime awards instituted January 26, 1950: Param Vir Chakra, Maha Vir Chakra, Vir Chakra. Peacetime awards instituted January 4, 1952: renamed Ashoka Chakra, Kirti Chakra, Shaurya Chakra in 1967. Announced twice a year: Republic Day and Independence Day. Conferred by President (supreme commander of Armed Forces). Order of precedence: Param Vir Chakra > Ashoka Chakra > Mahavir Chakra > Kirti Chakra > Vir Chakra > Shaurya Chakra.

8.2.3. Zehanpora Site (Baramulla, North Kashmir)

Discovery of stupas (man-made mounds) — underscores Kashmir’s rich Gandhara Buddhist heritage. Stupa structures belong to Kushan period (1st–3rd century CE). Located along ancient Silk Route to Kandahar. Other findings: Kushan-era pottery, copper artefacts, chaityas and viharas.

8.2.4. Bagurumba Dance

** Bagurumba: Traditional folk dance of the Bodo community of Assam. Inspired by nature — symbolises blooming flowers. Traditionally performed by young Bodo women. Associated with festivals like Bwisagu (Bodo New Year) and Domasi.

8.2.5. Harvest Festivals

9. ETHICS

9.1. Ethical Concerns with AI Use on Social Media

Government raised concerns over misuse of Grok (AI tool of X/Twitter) to generate sexually explicit content targeting women and children.

Key Ethical Issues

• Surveillance Capitalism: AI algorithms harvest detailed personal data under guise of personalization.
• Misinformation: AI techniques like deepfake (synthetic image/video replacing original) and voice clones spread altered facts.
• Algorithmic Bias: AI systems perpetuate biases present in training data; can marginalize voices and entrench inequality.
• Psychological Impact: Algorithms optimized for engagement promote sensational content → addiction-like patterns, anxiety, depression, especially among younger users.
• Echo Chambers: Algorithmic personalization creates polarized communities.

Regulations in India

• ** IT Act, 2000 and IT (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021: Platforms must remove illegal/obscene content swiftly; grievance redressal required. Non-compliance = loss of safe harbour protection under Section 79 of IT Act.
• ** Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act, 2023: Ensures prior consent, data protection, grievance redressal.
• MeitY India AI Governance Guidelines: Seven sutras for ethical AI governance.
• Global: EU Artificial Intelligence Act (agreed 2024) — world’s first comprehensive AI law; categorizes AI systems by risk; prohibits subliminal manipulation and exploitative algorithms.

10. SCHEMES IN NEWS

10.1. Atal Pension Yojana (APY)

** Union Cabinet approved continuation of APY until 2030–31.

10.2. PM SVANidhi Scheme

** Street vendors now eligible for dedicated credit card with limit up to ₹30,000.

11. PLACES IN NEWS

© Mindplan, 2026