16 January 2026 Current Affairs (With PDF)

We bring you the most relevant and important news updates from around the world and India, specially curated for competitive exams and different entrance exams. Today's Current Affairs cover all significant national and international headlines, legal updates, economic news, and environmental highlights to boost your preparation. With our crisp, to-the-point coverage, you can confidently tackle current affairs questions in your exams

Global Risk Report 2026 Released 

The World Economic Forum (WEF) has released the Global Risk Report 2026, highlighting emerging and systemic global risks with a special focus on geoeconomic confrontation. 

• The report identifies geoeconomic confrontation as the most significant global risk in the near term. 
• It also outlines short-term, medium-term, and long-term risks affecting economies, societies, and the environment, including risks specifically relevant to India. 

Key Highlights of the Report 

1. Near-term (2026) and Short-to-Medium Term (up to 2028):

• Geoeconomic confrontation 
• State-based armed conflicts 
• Extreme weather events 
• Rising societal polarisation 

2. Long-term (up to 2036):

• Extreme weather events 
• Biodiversity loss 
• Ecosystem collapse 

3. Major Risks for India:

• Cyber insecurity 
• Wealth and income inequality 
• Insufficient public services and social protections (education, infrastructure, pensions) 

Understanding Geoeconomic Confrontation 

1. Definition:

• Strategic use of economic tools by nations or regional powers to reshape global economic relations, restrict trade, and consolidate influence. 

2. Tools Used: 

• Sanctions 
• Trade controls 
• Investment restrictions 
• Subsidies and state aid 
• Currency measures 

3. Recent Examples:

• Tariff impositions by the US & Export bans on critical minerals by China 

4. Potential Consequences:

• Erosion of multilateralism 
• Disruption of key supply chains 
• Concentration of strategic resources and technologies 
• Economic downturn 
• Potential state-based armed conflicts 

Recommended Actions 

• Prioritize economic incentives promoting mutual gains 
• Strengthen and reinforce multilateral institutions 
• Invest in local resilience across sectors and communities 

Significance 

• Helps policymakers anticipate global economic and security risks 
• Guides India and other countries in building resilience against geopolitical and environmental challenges 
• Encourages multilateral collaboration to manage systemic risks 

National Campaign on Entrepreneurship Launched by Ministry of Rural Development 

The Ministry of Rural Development has launched a National Campaign on Entrepreneurship under the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM) to strengthen enterprise development in rural areas. 

Objectives of the Campaign 

• Training 50,000 Community Resource Persons (CRPs) to promote entrepreneurship at the grassroots level. 
• Empowering 50 lakh Self-Help Group (SHG) members by providing skills and resources to start or scale rural enterprises. 

Importance of Rural Entrepreneurship 

1. Women Empowerment:

• Bridging the gender gap in rural entrepreneurship could potentially boost global GDP by USD 1.5 trillion. 
• Empowers women to move beyond traditional farm labor into non-farm income-generating activities. 

2. Income Diversification:

• Non-farm activities now generate nearly two-thirds of rural income, enhancing financial security. 

3. Poverty Alleviation and Social Mobility:

• 65% of rural SHG members have improved their relative income between FY19 and FY24 (SBI report). 

4. Community Resilience:

• Local employment opportunities reduce rural-urban migration and mitigate unplanned urbanization. 

Government Initiatives Supporting Rural Entrepreneurship 

1. Financial Assistance: 

• Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY): Collateral-free loans for micro-enterprises. 

• Udyogini Scheme & Mahila Coir Yojana: Aid, training, and subsidized equipment for women entrepreneurs. 

2. Skill Development and Incubation: 

• ASPIRE Scheme (MSME): Trained over 1.16 lakh beneficiaries in entrepreneurship and innovation. 

• Micro Entrepreneurship Development Programmes (MEDPs) and Livelihood & Enterprise Development Programmes (LEDPs) by NABARD. 

3. Lakhpati Didi Initiative (DAY-NRLM): 

• Aims to enable 3 crore SHG members to earn at least ₹1 lakh annually through enterprise promotion. 

About Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – NRLM (DAY-NRLM) 

• Ministry: Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) 
• Launched: Restructured from Swarnajayanti Gram Swarojgar Yojana (SGSY) and renamed DAY-NRLM in 2016. 
• Aim: Poverty alleviation and promotion of sustainable livelihoods in rural areas. 
• Coverage: Targets 7 crore rural poor households; primarily women-centric SHGs and federated institutions. 
• Key Objective: Facilitate access to rights, entitlements, public services, finance, and skill development for rural poor. 

Berkeley Earth Report: 2025 Warmest La Niña Year on Record 

Berkeley Earth’s annual temperature report has highlighted 2025 as the warmest year ever recorded under a La Niña event, which is significant because La Niña normally has a cooling effect on global temperatures. 

Key Highlights 

• Despite La Niña’s typical cooling influence, 2025 global temperatures remained exceptionally high. 
• Indicates the accelerating trend of global warming, driven by greenhouse gas emissions. 

About El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) 

• Definition: ENSO is a recurring climate pattern involving fluctuating ocean temperatures in the equatorial Pacific and associated atmospheric changes. 
• Components: 
• Oceanic: El Niño (warm phase) and La Niña (cold phase) 
• Atmospheric: Southern Oscillation 

La Niña Phase 

• Meaning: Strengthened trade winds push warm water westward toward Asia, allowing cold water to rise in the eastern Pacific. 
• Impact on India: 
• Monsoon: Usually brings normal to above-normal rainfall, benefiting agriculture 
• Winter: Colder-than-normal winters, frequent cold waves in northern India 
• Extreme Events: Higher risk of floods and severe cyclones in the Bay of Bengal 

El Niño Phase 

• Meaning: Weakening trade winds allow warm water to move toward South America. 
• Impact on India: 
• Monsoon: Weakens southwest monsoon, often leading to below-normal rainfall or droughts 
• Agriculture: Reduced yields in summer crops (rice, sugarcane, oilseeds), potentially increasing food prices 
• Heat: Associated with harsher summers and higher heat stress 

Significance 

• The report shows global warming is overpowering natural cooling cycles like La Niña, highlighting the urgency of climate action. 
• For India, monitoring ENSO patterns is critical for agriculture planning, disaster management, and water resources. 

4th Edition of Export Preparedness Index (EPI) Released 

The 4th edition of the Export Preparedness Index (EPI) 2024 has been released by NITI Aayog. 

About Export Preparedness Index (EPI) 

• Nature: A comprehensive assessment tool to evaluate export readiness of Indian States and Union Territories (UTs). 
• Objective: To identify strengths, gaps, and opportunities at the sub-national level to boost India’s exports. 
• Strategic Alignment: Supports India’s goal of achieving USD 1 trillion in merchandise exports by 2030. 

1. Framework of EPI:

• Structure: 4 Pillars, 13 Sub-pillars, 70 Indicators 

2. Pillars and Weightage:

• Export Infrastructure – 20% 
• Business Ecosystem – 40% 
• Policy & Governance – 20% 
• Export Performance – 20% 

3. Key Sub-Indicators:

• Trade and logistics infrastructure 
• Human capital and skilling 
• Access to finance 
• Regulatory environment 
• Ease of doing business 
• Market access and diversification 

Voyager 1: Milestone in Interstellar Exploration 

Voyager 1 is expected to become the first human-made object to reach one light-day away from Earth (~16 billion miles). 

About Voyager 1:

• Launched by: NASA, in 1977 
• Mission Objective: Flybys of Jupiter and Saturn to study their atmosphere, rings, and moons. 
• Key Instruments: 
• Imaging Science System (ISS) – captures images of planets and moons. 
• Ultraviolet Spectrometer (UVS) – studies composition of atmospheres. 

Major Achievements 

• First to cross the heliosphere – the boundary where the Sun’s influence ends and interstellar space begins. 
• First human-made object in interstellar space – traveling beyond the solar system into the space between stars. 
• Continues to send data about cosmic rays, magnetic fields, and interstellar medium. 

Nipah Virus 

Detected among healthcare workers in West Bengal. 

1. Type:

• Zoonotic virus (transmitted from animals to humans). 

2. Transmission: 

• Animal-to-human: From fruit bats (natural host) or pigs. 
• Food-borne: Contaminated food products. 
• Human-to-human: Direct transmission possible, especially in healthcare settings. 

3. Symptoms: 

• Asymptomatic infection in some cases. 
• Acute respiratory infection (mild to severe). 
• Encephalitis, which can be fatal. 

4. Treatment: 

• No specific drugs or vaccines currently available. 
• Supportive care is the mainstay. 

High-Yielding Cattle Breeds Registered by Government 

The government has officially registered two synthetic cattle breeds, Karan Fries and Vrindavani, along with new indigenous breeds. 

Karan Fries 

• Developed by: National Dairy Research Institute (NDRI), Karnal, Haryana. 
• Genetic Background: Crossbreed of Tharparkar (indigenous) cows and Holstein-Friesian bulls. 
• Significance: High milk-yielding breed suitable for commercial dairy production. 

Vrindavani 

• Developed by: ICAR – Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI), Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh. 
• Genetic Background: Composite breed combining Holstein-Friesian, Brown Swiss, Jersey with hardy Hariana cattle. 
• Significance: High milk yield along with resilience and adaptability to Indian conditions. 

Mycorrhizal Networks: Tyler Prize Recognition 

American biologist Toby Kiers awarded the Tyler Prize for Environmental Achievement for research on mycorrhizal networks. 
(The Tyler Prize is often referred to as the “Nobel for the environment”) 

• Definition: Underground fungal networks where mycorrhizal fungi connect the roots of multiple plants via hyphae (fungal threads). 
• Symbiotic Relationship: 
  - Plants → Fungi: Provide carbohydrates. 
  - Fungi → Plants: Enhance access to water and essential nutrients (like phosphorus, nitrogen). 
• Forest Ecosystem Role: These networks are called the “Wood Wide Web”, enabling communication and resource-sharing among plants. 

Operation Pawan: Tribute on Armed Forces Veterans Day 

10th Armed Forces Veterans Day – Defence Minister pays homage to the courage and sacrifices of the Indian Peacekeeping Force (IPKF) in Sri Lanka. 

• Timeline: July 1987 – March 1990 
• Context: Launched following the Indo–Sri Lanka Accord signed on 29 July 1987. 
• Objective: To enforce peace and disarm militant groups in Sri Lanka, primarily the LTTE (Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam). 
• Outcome: The IPKF was withdrawn in March 1990 after a shift in the Sri Lankan government’s policy and changing political scenario. 

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