14 January 2026 Current Affairs (With PDF)

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India–Germany Agreements to Deepen Strategic Partnership

India and Germany signed a series of agreements during the visit of the German Chancellor, aimed at strengthening cooperation across defence, trade, technology, mobility, and the Indo-Pacific.

The visit was significant as it came at a landmark moment in bilateral relations:

• 25 years of India–Germany Strategic Partnership (completed in 2025)
• 75 years of diplomatic relations (to be marked in 2026)

Key Outcomes of the Visit

1. Defence and Security Cooperation:

• Joint Declaration of Intent signed to develop a Defence Industrial Cooperation Roadmap
  - Focus areas: Technology partnerships, Co-development and co-production of defence platforms
• Germany expressed intent to participate in Indian Naval Exercise MILAN, Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS) activities, Air Combat Exercise Tarang Shakti
• Track 1.5 Foreign Policy and Security Dialogue established
• Involves interaction between Government officials (Track 1), Non-governmental experts and strategic analysts (Track 2)
• Allows informal yet policy-relevant exchanges

2. Trade, Economy, and Supply Chains:

• Agreements to enhance supply chain resilience, especially in Semiconductors and Critical minerals
• Reflects shared concerns over Global supply disruptions and Strategic dependencies

3. Visa and Mobility:

• Germany announced a visa-free transit facility for Indian passport holders
• Aims to promote Business travel and Academic and professional exchanges

4. Indo-Pacific and Strategic Dialogue:

• Announcement of a new bilateral Indo-Pacific consultation mechanism
• Reinforces convergence between India and Germany on Maritime security and Rules-based international order

5. Education, Skills, and People-to-People Ties:

• Adoption of the Indo-German Comprehensive Roadmap on Higher Education
• Focus on Academic collaboration, Skill development, Research mobility

Other Key Dimensions of India–Germany Relations

1. Economic Engagement:

• Bilateral trade crossed USD 50 billion in 2024
• Germany accounts for over 25% of India’s total trade with the European Union
• FDI: Germany ranked as India’s 9th largest foreign direct investor (2024)

2. Climate and Environment:

• Green and Sustainable Development Partnership (GSDP)
• Aligns bilateral climate cooperation with Paris Climate Agreement goals
• Focus areas: Renewable energy, Climate finance, Sustainable development

3. Technology and Innovation:

• Collaboration through platforms such as Indo-German Science and Technology Centre (IGSTC)
• Emphasis on Research & development and Industrial innovation

Significance

The agreements reflect the evolution of India–Germany ties from economic cooperation to a comprehensive strategic partnership, with growing alignment on defence, technology, climate action, and Indo-Pacific stability.

Reinvention of Coal as a Next-Generation Fuel (India)

The Union Government has earmarked ₹5,925 crore for exploration of coal and lignite over a five-year period starting FY 2026–27, alongside parallel efforts to reduce the environmental footprint of coal-based energy.

Status of the Coal Sector in India

• Coal Reserves: India holds the 5th largest coal reserves globally
• Estimated coal resource: ~401 billion tonnes (April 2025)
• Coal Production: Increased from 565.77 MT (FY 2013–14) to 1,047.52 MT (FY 2024–25)

Why Coal Remains Critical for India

1.Backbone of Power Generation:

• Coal accounts for ~72% of India’s electricity generation
• Provides reliable 24×7 base-load power, unlike intermittent renewables

2. Support to Core Industries:

• Essential for steel, cement, and heavy manufacturing
• Crucial to achieving National Steel Policy target of 300 MT crude steel by 2030

3. Energy Security:

• Rising domestic production reduces coal imports
• Foreign exchange savings of ~USD 8 billion in FY 2024–25

4. Economic and Employment Impact:

• Coal sector expansion generates large-scale employment
• Attracts significant public and private investment in mining and logistics

Measures to Reduce the Polluting Impact of Coal

1. Mission Green:

• Grow, Restore, Enrich and Empower Nature
• Integrates coal mining with environmental sustainability and ecological restoration

2. Coal Gasification:

• Converts coal into cleaner gaseous fuels (syngas)
• National Coal Gasification Mission: 100 MT of coal gasified by 2030
• Helps reduce direct coal combustion and emissions

3. First Mile Connectivity (FMC):

• Uses conveyor belts and rail networks from pitheads to dispatch points
• Reduces Dust pollution, Road congestion, Carbon emissions from truck transport

4. Renewable Energy Integration by Coal PSUs:

• Coal PSUs diversifying into green energy
• Target: 22.5 GW renewable capacity by 2030
• Current status: Over 2 GW solar capacity installed

5. Sustainable Mine Closure:

• Scientific and ecological mine rehabilitation through LIVES (Land and Technical Reclamation) and RECLAIM frameworks
• Focus on post-mining land use and community restoration

6. Carbon Management & Green Finance:

• ARTHA Framework introduced to Map carbon-credit opportunities and Promote green financing in the mining sector

Significance

India’s approach reflects a pragmatic energy transition — not abandoning coal abruptly, but reinventing it through cleaner technologies, logistics efficiency, renewable integration, and carbon management, ensuring energy security while progressing towards sustainability goals.

India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC)

India has described the India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) as a strategic imperative, underlining its importance for trade resilience, geopolitical outreach, and long-term economic integration with Europe and West Asia.

About IMEC

• Nature: Multi-modal connectivity corridor
• Formalisation: MoU signed at the G20 Summit, New Delhi (2023)
• Participants: India, European Union, France, Germany, Italy, Saudi Arabia, UAE, United States
• Components: Ports, Railways, Roads, Sea lanes, Energy & digital pipelines
• Objective: Enhance trade and connectivity between India, Arabian Peninsula, Mediterranean region, and Europe

Significance of IMEC for India

1. Trade Route Diversification:

• Reduces dependence on the Suez Canal
• Important in light of Red Sea crisis (2023–24) and Disruptions caused by Houthi attacks on commercial shipping

2. Lower Logistics Cost and Time:

• Expected reduction:
  - Transit time: Up to 40%
  - Logistics costs: Around 30%
• Benefits: Faster delivery, Reduced uncertainty for exporters, Improved competitiveness of Indian goods

3. Port Optimisation:

• Boosts utilisation of India’s west coast ports: Mumbai and Mundra
• Integrates Indian ports with Gulf and Mediterranean logistics hubs

4. Upgradation in Global Value Chains:

• Improved connectivity with Europe enables India to Move beyond low-value assembly and Integrate into high-value manufacturing and services
• Supports Make in India and Export-led growth strategy

5. Strategic & Geopolitical Value:

• Positions India as a connector between Indo-Pacific and Europe
• Balances China-centric connectivity projects
• Deepens partnerships with West Asia and the EU

Challenges to IMEC

1. Geopolitical Instability:

• Regional conflicts: Hamas–Israel war and Wider West Asian instability can disrupt construction and operations

2. Port Capacity Mismatches:

• Example: Jebel Ali (UAE): ~90 million tonnes capacity and Haifa (Israel): ~30 million tonnes capacity
• Creates bottlenecks in seamless cargo movement

3. Financing Constraints:

• Corridor spans countries with Uneven fiscal capacity and Varying creditworthiness
• Traditional public funding alone is insufficient

India’s Fish Production Doubles (FY 2013–14 to FY 2024–25)

India’s fisheries sector has witnessed remarkable growth, with fish production doubling over the last decade, strengthening livelihoods, nutrition security, and exports.

Key Statistics

• Global Rank: India is the 2nd largest fish producer globally
  - Contributes ~8% of global fish production
• Livelihoods: Supports ~3 crore fishers and fish farmers
• Fish Production Growth:
  - FY 2013–14: 95.79 lakh tonnes
  - FY 2024–25: 197.75 lakh tonnes
• Economic Contribution: Fisheries contribute 7.43% to Agriculture Gross Value Added (GVA)
  - Highest contribution among agriculture & allied sectors
• Aquaculture Productivity: Increased to 4.77 tonnes per hectare
• Exports: 16.98 lakh tonnes of seafood exported (2023–24)

Key Government Initiatives Driving Growth

1. Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana: Flagship scheme for Blue Revolution:

• Focus areas: Filling infrastructure gaps, Promotion of cage culture, Biofloc units, RAS (Recirculatory Aquaculture Systems), Establishment of brood banks
• Enhances productivity, value addition, and fisher income

2. Fisheries & Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund:

• Launched in 2018–19
• Objective: Creation of fisheries infrastructure in marine and inland sectors and Augment production capacity
• Targeted to help achieve 15 million tonnes fish production

3. Integrated Aquaparks:

• 11 Integrated Aquaparks approved
• Sanctioned cost: ₹682.60 crore
• Provide end-to-end facilities: Hatchery, feed, processing, cold chain, marketing

4. Satellite & Digital Technology Integration:

• Vessel Communication and Support System
• Use of Oceansat and oceanographic data
• Improves: Fisher safety, Navigation, Resource mapping

5. Pradhan Mantri Matsya Kisan Samridhi Sah-Yojana:

• Launched in 2024
• Central Sector Sub-scheme under PMMSY
• Duration: 4 years
• Objective: Address structural weaknesses through financial, technological and institutional interventions and Enhance competitiveness of fisheries value chain

Significance for India

The doubling of fish production highlights the success of policy-driven, technology-enabled and infrastructure-backed growth, positioning fisheries as a key pillar of rural employment, nutrition security, export earnings, and the Blue Economy.

Pax Silica

India is set to be invited to join “Pax Silica”, a U.S.-led strategic technology initiative aimed at strengthening trusted global technology supply chains.

About Pax Silica

• Nature of Initiative: A United States–led multilateral framework focused on building a secure, resilient, and innovation-oriented global technology ecosystem.
• Strategic Rationale: Designed to counter vulnerabilities in critical technology supply chains and reduce over-dependence on coercive or unreliable sources.

Scope of the Initiative

Pax Silica covers the entire advanced technology value chain, including:

• Semiconductors and AI Infrastructure: Chip design, fabrication, and advanced computing systems.
• Critical Minerals and Energy Inputs: Secure sourcing of rare earths and energy resources essential for high-tech manufacturing.
• Advanced Manufacturing and High-End Hardware: Precision manufacturing, next-generation electronics, and strategic hardware.
• Compute and Data Logistics: Data centres, cloud infrastructure, and cross-border digital connectivity.

Key Objectives

• Reducing Coercive Dependencies: Minimise strategic vulnerabilities arising from concentrated supply chains.
• Technology Protection: Safeguard sensitive and emerging technologies from misuse or strategic coercion.
• Trusted Digital Infrastructure: Promote secure, interoperable, and trusted technology networks among partner countries.

Member Countries

Current Participants Include: United States, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, United Kingdom, Israel, and other like-minded technology partners

Significance for India

• Aligns with India’s goals under Semicon India Programme, Digital Public Infrastructure, Strategic autonomy in critical technologies
• Enhances India’s role in global semiconductor and AI value chains.
• Strengthens collaboration with advanced economies in secure technology governance.

National Sports Governance (National Sports Bodies) Rules, 2026

The Union Government has notified the National Sports Governance (National Sports Bodies) Rules, 2026 under the National Sports Governance Act, 2025, with the objective of strengthening transparency, inclusivity, and accountability in the administration of sports in India.

Coverage: National Sports Bodies

These Rules apply to National Olympic Committee, National Sports Federations, Regional / Recognised Sports Federations, Other bodies governing sports at the national level

Key Provisions of the Rules

1. Organisational Structure:

• Every National Sports Body must have General Body and Executive Committee

2. Composition of the General Body:

• Mandatory inclusion of At least 4 Sportspersons of Outstanding Merit (SOMs)
• Eligibility of SOMs: Minimum 25 years of age
• Gender representation: 50% of SOMs must be women

3. Women’s Representation in Executive Committee:

• Specific posts reserved for women
• Objective: Ensure at least 4 women members in the Executive Committee
• Significance: Promotes gender equity in sports governance and decision-making

4. National Sports Election Panel:

• Responsible for Overseeing and conducting elections of National Sports Bodies
• Composition requirement Must consist of at least 20 members at all times
• Ensures Independent, fair, and transparent electoral processes

5. Disqualification Criteria:

• A person shall be disqualified from holding office if Convicted by a court of law and Sentenced to imprisonment
• Aim: Uphold ethical standards and integrity in sports administration

Australia Group (AG)

The Australia Group recently celebrated its 40th anniversary, marking four decades of coordinated efforts to prevent the proliferation of chemical and biological weapons.

About Australia Group

• Founded: 1985, in response to the use of chemical weapons during the Iran–Iraq War.
• Nature: Informal multilateral arrangement; not legally binding.
  - Functions as a multilateral export control regime to minimize the risk of proliferation of chemical and biological weapons (CBW).
• Objective: Facilitate coordinated export controls among member countries.
  - Prevent sensitive chemicals, biological agents, and related technologies from being diverted for weapons production.
• Membership: 42 countries + European Union.
  - India joined in 2018, enhancing its integration into global non-proliferation efforts.

Significance

• Supports global CBW non-proliferation and security.
• Provides a framework for exporters and transshipment countries to ensure responsible trade in dual-use materials.
• Enhances international cooperation on chemical and biological security.

Related Multilateral Export Control Regimes

• Wassenaar Arrangement: Controls conventional arms and dual-use goods/technologies.
• Nuclear Suppliers Group: Regulates nuclear-related exports to prevent nuclear weapons proliferation.
• Missile Technology Control Regime: Prevents the spread of missile and drone technology capable of delivering WMDs.

National Council for Vocational Education and Training

The 1st General Body meeting of the National Council for Vocational Education and Training (NCVET) was recently held, marking an important step in strengthening India’s vocational education and skilling ecosystem.

About NCVET

• Genesis: Established in 2018 under the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE).
• Rationale: Created to integrate and streamline India’s fragmented skilling regulatory architecture.
• It subsumed National Skill Development Agency & National Council for Vocational Training

1. Mandate and Role:

• Acts as the national regulator for vocational education and training in India.
• Responsible for Development, Qualitative improvement, Regulation of the vocational education and training ecosystem.

2. Key Functions:

• Recognition & Regulation: Grants recognition to Awarding Bodies, Assessment Agencies, Skill Information Providers
• Monitoring & Quality Assurance: Oversees functioning of recognised entities to ensure quality, credibility, and standardisation.
• Outcome Orientation: Ensures alignment of skilling programmes with Industry needs, National Skills Qualification Framework, Employability outcomes

Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board

The Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) and its German counterpart have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish a cooperation framework on hydrogen regulations and standards in India, supporting the emerging green hydrogen ecosystem.

About PNGRB

• Genesis: A statutory body established under the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board Act, 2006.
• Administrative Ministry: Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas

Mandate and Functions

• Market Regulation & Competition: Promotes fair trade and competition & Ensures a competitive and transparent gas market.
• Regulatory Oversight: Regulates Refining, Transportation, Storage, Distribution, Marketing of petroleum products and natural gas.
  - Excludes regulation of production of crude oil and natural gas.
• Dispute Resolution: Adjudicates disputes among entities involved in petroleum, petroleum products, and natural gas.
• Appellate Authority: Appeals against PNGRB decisions lie before the Appellate Tribunal for Electricity (APTEL), constituted under the Electricity Act, 2003.

Advisory Board on Disarmament Matters

An Indian diplomat has been nominated by the United Nations Secretary-General as the Chair of the Advisory Board on Disarmament Matters for the 2026–27 term, reflecting India’s growing profile in global disarmament and international security discourse.

• Establishment: Constituted in 1978 by the United Nations.
• Secretariat: Based in New York.

Key Functions

• Policy Advisory Role: Advises the UN Secretary-General on issues related to Arms limitation, Disarmament, International security
• Institutional Oversight: Acts as the Board of Trustees of the United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR), guiding its research priorities and governance.

Composition and Membership

• Membership Strength: 15 members.
• Selection Process: Members are appointed by the UN Secretary-General.
• Representation Criteria: Drawn from all geographical regions.
  - Selected for their expertise and experience in Disarmament, Arms control, International peace and security

NIRANTAR Platform

The Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister recently chaired a meeting of NIRANTAR to discuss strengthening inter-institute collaboration and enhancing resilience-building initiatives.

• Full Form: National Institute for Research and Application of Natural Resources to Transform, Adapt and Build Resilience
• Nature: It is a platform, not a separate institution, aimed at enhancing cooperation and collaboration among various institutes under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC).
  - Operates without increasing manpower or establishing new institutions.
• Primary Aim: Improve effectiveness and responsiveness of existing institutes in tackling rapidly evolving local and global environmental challenges, including climate change, biodiversity conservation, and natural resource management.

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