19 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

SC upholds LS Speaker’s formation of Inquiry Committee to remove Justice Yashwant Varma 

Why in News 

The Supreme Court upheld the Lok Sabha Speaker’s power to constitute an Inquiry Committee for investigating allegations against a judge, even if a similar motion was rejected in the other House of Parliament. 

Key Observations of the Supreme Court 

• Independence of Houses: Rejection of a removal motion in one House (Lok Sabha or Rajya Sabha) does not bar the other House from proceeding independently.  
• Validity of Inquiry Committee: Once a motion is admitted by the Presiding Officer, constitution of an Inquiry Committee is valid and constitutional. 
• Reinforces the bicameral and independent functioning of Parliament under the Constitution. 

Constitutional Provisions on Removal of Judges 

• Article 124(4): Removal of Supreme Court judges 
• Article 218: Removal of High Court judges 
• Grounds: Proven misbehaviour or incapacity (These terms are not defined in the Constitution.) 

Important Note: The Constitution does not use the term “impeachment” for removal of judges. 

Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968: Regulates the procedure for investigation and removal of judges. 

Step-by-Step Removal Process 

1. Initiation 

• Motion signed by: 100 Lok Sabha MPs or 50 Rajya Sabha MPs 
• Submitted to the Speaker (LS) or Chairman (RS). 
• Presiding Officer may admit or reject the motion. 

2. Investigation 

• Upon admission, a 3-member Inquiry Committee is constituted: One Supreme Court Judge, One Chief Justice of a High Court, One Distinguished Jurist 
• Committee constituted by: 
• LS Speaker (for LS motion) or 
• RS Chairman (for RS motion) 

3. Committee Report 

• Committee submits its report to the Presiding Officer. 
• Report is laid before the concerned House. 

4. Parliamentary Approval 

• If guilt is established, the motion is debated. 
• Requires Special Majority: 
• Majority of total membership of the House and 
• 2/3rd of members present and voting 
• Must be passed by both Houses. 

5. Presidential Order 

• Judge removed only by an order of the President of India. 

Key Fact  

No judge of the Supreme Court or High Court has been successfully removed till date, despite initiation of proceedings in some cases. 

Significance of the Ruling 

• Clarifies procedural autonomy of each House of Parliament. 
• Strengthens accountability mechanisms while preserving judicial independence. 
• Important for Polity, Constitution, and Parliament–Judiciary relations. 

UN High Seas Treaty Enters into Force 

Why in News 

The United Nations’ High Seas Treaty, formally titled the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement, has come into effect, creating the first legally binding global framework to protect biodiversity in ocean areas lying beyond national boundaries. 

What is the UN High Seas Treaty (BBNJ Agreement)? 

• A legally binding international treaty governing ocean spaces beyond national jurisdiction, including: 
• The high seas 
• The international seabed area 
• These areas are considered global commons, open to all states for activities such as navigation, overflight, and laying of submarine cables and pipelines. 
• Collectively, they account for over two-thirds of the world’s ocean surface, making governance and conservation critically important. 

Background and Legal Status 

• Adopted: 2023 
• Negotiated under: United Nations-led Intergovernmental Conference on Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction 
• Legal Position: Becomes the third implementing agreement under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), alongside: 
• 1994 Agreement on Part XI (Deep Seabed Mining) 
• 1995 UN Fish Stocks Agreement 

Core Objective 

To ensure the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ). 

Four Pillars of the BBNJ Agreement 

1. Marine Genetic Resources: Regulates access to genetic material sourced from the high seas.

• Mandates fair and equitable sharing of benefits, including non-monetary and monetary gains. 

2. Area-Based Management Tools: Provides for establishment of Marine Protected Areas in the high seas. 

• Aims to safeguard ecologically sensitive and biologically rich marine zones. 

3. Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) 

• Requires prior assessment of activities that may cause significant harm to marine ecosystems. 

4. Promotes precautionary and ecosystem-based approaches. 

• Capacity Building and Technology Transfer: Supports developing countries through Scientific cooperation, Technical assistance, Transfer of marine technologies 

Institutional and Financial Framework 

• Establishes Conference of the Parties (COP) as the decision-making body 
• Clearing-House Mechanism for data sharing and transparency 
• A dedicated Secretariat 
• Provides for a funding mechanism to support implementation, especially for developing states. 

Membership Status 

• Ratified by: 83 countries (treaty now in force) 
• India has signed the agreement, Ratification pending 

18th India–Japan Strategic Dialogue held in New Delhi 

Why in News: 

18th India–Japan Strategic Dialogue reaffirmed the strong momentum of the India–Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership, with a sharp focus on economic security, emerging technologies, supply chain resilience. 

Key Outcomes of the 18th Dialogue 

1. Japan–India Private-Sector Dialogue on Economic Security (B2B):

• To be launched: Q1, 2026 
• Objective: Deepen business-to-business cooperation on economic security. 
• Five priority sectors: Semiconductors, Critical minerals, Information & Communication Technology, Clean energy, Pharmaceuticals 

2. Japan–India AI Strategic Dialogue:

• Established under the Japan–India AI Cooperation Initiative (JAI). 
• Japan to invite 500 highly skilled Indian AI professionals by 2030. 
• Focus on Joint AI research, Talent mobility, Responsible and ethical AI development 

3. Early Convening of Joint Working Group (JWG) on Mineral Resources:

• Aimed at securing critical minerals essential for Energy transition, Electronics and semiconductor manufacturing, Clean mobility 

India–Japan Relations: Key Pillars 

1. Strategic Partnership 

• Upgraded to Special Strategic and Global Partnership in 2014. 

2. Economic Cooperation 

• India–Japan CEPA (2011) 
• Bilateral trade: US$ 22.85 billion (FY 2023–24) 
• India–Japan Industrial Competitiveness Partnership (2021) 

3. Trade Structure 

• Indian imports: Nuclear reactors, copper, electrical machinery 
• Indian exports: Organic chemicals, vehicles, reactor-related components 

4. Security & Defence Cooperation 

• Joint Declaration on Security Cooperation 
• Defence agreements and 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue 
• Joint exercises: JIMEX (naval), Dharma Guardian (army), MALABAR, MILAN 

5. Development Cooperation 

• Mumbai–Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail Project 
• India–Japan Act East Forum for infrastructure development in Northeast India 

Global Significance of India–Japan Partnership 

1. Multilateral Engagement 

• Promotion of rules-based global order and Free & Open Indo-Pacific 
• Coordination in Quad, UN, G4 grouping, G20 

2. Africa Engagement 

• Trilateral cooperation with African countries 
• Asia–Africa Growth Corridor (AAGC) (2017) 
• Japan–India Cooperation Initiative for Sustainable Economic Development in Africa 

3. De-risking the Global Economy 

• Collaboration with Australia under the Supply Chain Resilience Initiative (SCRI) to diversify and secure global supply chains. 

The Emergence of a Third Global Strategic Pole 

Why in News 

Amid a declining Russian influence and an increasingly unpredictable United States, global geopolitics is witnessing renewed interest in the idea of a “Third Strategic Pole.” 

What is the Third Global Strategic Pole? 

• Refers to a strategic alignment led by India, in close partnership with Germany, the European Union, and other like-minded middle powers. 
• Seeks to move beyond a rigid US–China bipolar order, contributing to a genuinely multipolar world. 

Core Values of the Third Pole 

• Strategic autonomy 
• Economic openness 
• Technological cooperation 
• Democratic norms 
• Rule-based global governance 

How India Can Leverage the Third Pole 

1. Diversification of Strategic Partnerships 

• Reduces over-dependence on any single bloc (US or Russia). 
• Enhances India’s room for independent foreign policy choices. 

2. Economic Resilience 

• Deeper integration with Germany and the EU helps mitigate risks from Unilateral trade actions and Sanctions-driven disruptions 
• Supports stable access to markets, capital, and technology. 

3. Re-shaping Global Economic Architecture 

• Enables diversification away from US–China-centric supply chains. 
• Encourages South–South cooperation alongside EU partnerships. 

4. Strengthening Industrial and Technological Ecosystems 

• Co-production and co-development in Defence manufacturing, Advanced technologies, Semiconductors and critical minerals 
• Supports “Make in India” and strategic manufacturing. 

5. Credible Voice in Global Governance 

• Collective push for reforms in UN Security Council, WTO, IMF and World Bank 
• Enhances legitimacy of reform demands. 

6. Leadership of the Global South 

• Positions India as a bridge between developed economies and developing nations. 
• Advocates for Climate finance, Debt relief, Development justice 

The Third Global Strategic Pole offers India an opportunity to shape multipolarity, strengthen strategic autonomy, and emerge as a norm-setting power in global governance—rather than merely aligning with existing power blocs. 

Reserve Bank – Integrated Ombudsman Scheme (RB-IOS), 2026 

Why in News: 

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) issued the Reserve Bank – Integrated Ombudsman Scheme (RB-IOS), 2026, which will come into force from 1 July 2026, strengthening consumer protection in the financial sector. 

About RB-IOS, 2026 

• Nature: Unified grievance redress mechanism for customers of RBI-regulated entities. 
• Objective: Provide a cost-effective, speedy, and non-adversarial alternative dispute resolution system. 
• Coverage: Complaints related to deficiency in services by entities regulated by RBI. 

Key Features 

1. RBI Ombudsman 

• RBI may appoint one or more officers as RBI Ombudsman and Deputy Ombudsman. 
• Tenure: Generally 3 years. 

2. Centralised Receipt and Processing Centre (CRPC) 

• Established by RBI to receive, scrutinise, and process complaints, ensuring uniform handling and efficiency. 

3. Powers of the Ombudsman 

• No monetary ceiling on the value of disputes that can be taken up. 
• Compensation power: Up to ₹30 lakh (including compensation for mental agony and harassment). 

4. Grounds of Complaint 

• Any act or omission by a Regulated Entity resulting in deficiency in service. 

5. Appeal Mechanism 

• Who can appeal: Complainant or Regulated Entity. 
• Appellate Authority: Designated by RBI. 
• Time limit: 30 days from receipt of the Ombudsman’s decision. 

6. Nodal Officer Requirement 

• Each Regulated Entity must appoint a Principal Nodal Officer at its Head Office to coordinate with RBI on complaints. 

Sukhatme National Award in Statistics 

Why in News 

The Government of India has invited nominations for the Sukhatme National Award in Statistics, recognising outstanding lifetime contributions to the field of official statistics and statistical research in India. 

About the Sukhatme National Award in Statistics 

1. Institutional Details:

• Instituted by: Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) 
• Year of Institution: 2000 
• Frequency: Conferred biennially (once every two years) 

2. Objective:

• To honour distinguished statisticians for: 
• High-quality and impactful research 
• Contributions that strengthen and improve India’s official statistical system 
• Long-term advancements in statistical theory, methodology, or application relevant to public policy 

3. Eligibility Criteria:

• Nationality: Indian 
• Age: 45 years and above 
• Field: Statistics 
• Nature of Contribution: 
• Lifetime achievements 
• Significant and sustained contribution to the development of statistics in India 

Committee of Privileges 

Why in News: 

The Committee of Privileges of the Rajya Sabha is set to examine a complaint against a Member of Parliament for an alleged breach of privilege and contempt of the House. 

About the Committee of Privileges 

1. Nature:

• A Standing Parliamentary Committee 
• Exists separately in both Houses of Parliament 
• Rajya Sabha Committee of Privileges 
• Lok Sabha Committee of Privileges 

2. Composition:

• Rajya Sabha: 10 Members 
• Nominated by the Chairman of Rajya Sabha (Vice-President of India) 
• Lok Sabha: 15 Members 
• Nominated by the Speaker of Lok Sabha 

3. Functions and Powers:

• Acts in a semi-judicial capacity 
• Examines cases relating to Breach of parliamentary privileges and Contempt of the House 
• Investigates complaints and submits its findings and recommendations to the House concerned 

Significance 

• Protects the authority, dignity, and functioning of Parliament 
• Ensures accountability of Members in line with parliamentary norms and conventions 
• Strengthens the principle of parliamentary sovereignty and discipline 

Bio-Safety Levels (BSL) 

Why in News 

The Union Home Minister laid the foundation stone of India’s first state-funded Bio-Safety Level-4 (BSL-4) containment facility and laboratory in Gandhinagar, Gujarat. 

About Bio-Safety Levels (BSL) 

1. Bio-Safety Levels (BSL) are a set of graded containment safeguards designed to: 

• Protect laboratory personnel 
• Prevent accidental release into the environment and community 

2. They are classified into four levels (BSL-1 to BSL-4) based on: 

• Pathogenicity of the agent 
• Mode of transmission 
• Availability of treatment or vaccines 

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