21 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

UAE President Pays Official Visit to India

Why in News

The President of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) undertook an official visit to India, leading to major strategic, economic, energy, and technology-related announcements that further deepened the India–UAE Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

Key Outcomes of the Visit

1. Strategic Announcements

(a) Trade & Economic Cooperation

• Bilateral Trade Target: India and UAE agreed to double bilateral trade to over USD 200 billion by 2032
• Market Expansion Initiatives: Promotion of new trade corridors and platforms such as Bharat Mart, Virtual Trade Corridor, Bharat–Africa Setu

(b) Civil Nuclear Cooperation

• Both countries agreed to explore cooperation in Advanced nuclear technologies, Small Modular Reactors, Nuclear safety frameworks
• This follows India’s enactment of the SHANTI Act, 2025, enabling broader international nuclear collaboration.

(c) Digital Sovereignty & Data Security

Digital / Data Embassies:

• Proposal to establish offshore digital infrastructure where a country stores critical national data.
• Purpose Ensuring data sovereignty and Protection against cyberattacks, natural disasters, and geopolitical disruptions

(d) AI & Emerging Technologies

• Cooperation to set up a supercomputing cluster under India’s AI India Mission, enhancing joint capabilities in Artificial Intelligence, High-performance computing, Advanced research ecosystems

2. Key Agreements, MoUs and LoIs

(a) Strategic Defence Partnership

• Framework agreed for enhanced cooperation in Defence technology, Military training, Cyber and emerging security domains

(b) Energy Cooperation

Long-term LNG Supply Agreement: ADNOC Gas signed a Sales and Purchase Agreement with HPCL

• Supply of 0.5 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) of LNG
• Duration: 10 years

Key Aspects of India–UAE Relations

1. Economic & Trade Relations:

• CEPA (2022): Accelerated trade growth, taking bilateral trade close to USD 100 billion by FY 2024–25
• Trade Rankings:
  - UAE is India’s third-largest trading partner.
  - UAE is India’s second-largest export destination.

2. Energy Partnership:

• UAE is a major supplier of Crude oil, LNG and LPG
• UAE supports India’s efforts to expand and strengthen its Strategic Petroleum Reserves (SPR).

3. Strategic Significance:

• Reinforces India’s engagement with the West Asia–Africa economic corridor.
• Enhances cooperation in energy security, digital governance, defence, and advanced technologies.
• Positions the India–UAE partnership as a key pillar of India’s economic diplomacy and strategic outreach.

GHG Emission Reduction Regime Expanded under India’s Carbon Credit Trading Framework

Why in News

The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has notified the Greenhouse Gases Emission Intensity Target (Amendment) Rules, 2025 under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, expanding the scope of India’s Carbon Credit Trading Scheme (CCTS).

Key Features of the Amendment Rules, 2025

1. Expansion of Obligated Sectors:

• Newly added sectors: Petroleum Refinery, Petrochemicals, Textiles, Secondary Aluminium
• Earlier covered sectors: Aluminium, Cement, Chlor-Alkali, Pulp & Paper

2. Coverage and Compliance Timeline:

• Coverage: 208 identified industrial units brought under mandatory compliance.
• Compliance Period: Targets applicable from 2025–26 onwards.
• Baseline Year: 2023–24 emissions intensity used for benchmarking.

3. Emission Reduction Targets:

• Reduction Range: 3% to 7% reduction in GHG emission intensity by 2026–27.
• Metric Used: Emissions per unit of output, not absolute emissions.

4. Compliance and Penalty Framework:

• Meeting Targets: Units achieving or exceeding targets earn Carbon Credit Certificates (CCCs).
• Shortfall Mechanism: Units failing to meet targets must purchase CCCs to offset deficits.
• Penalty for Non-compliance: Environmental compensation equal to twice the average trading price of CCCs.

Significance of the Move

• Strengthens India’s market-based climate mitigation architecture.
• Supports India’s Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC): 45% reduction in emissions intensity of GDP by 2030 (from 2005 levels).
• Contributes to India’s long-term goal of achieving Net Zero emissions by 2070.
• Encourages cleaner industrial processes and low-carbon technology adoption.

About Carbon Credit Trading Scheme (CCTS)

1. Background:

• Notified: 2023
• Legal Basis: Energy Conservation Act, 2001
• Objective: Establish a functional Indian Carbon Market (ICM).

2. Institutional Framework:

• Administrator: Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) – sets targets and issues CCCs.
• Regulator: Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) – oversees trading.
• Registry: Grid Controller of India Limited – maintains carbon credit records.

3. Operational Design:

• Compliance Mechanism: Obligated entities must meet prescribed emission intensity targets.
• Offset Mechanism: Voluntary participation by non-obligated entities through emission-reduction projects.
• Trading Model: Operates on a Cap-and-Trade principle.
• Carbon Unit: 1 CCC = 1 tonne of CO₂ equivalent (tCO₂e).
• Trading Platform: CCCs are traded on power exchanges.

China’s Population Declines for Fourth Consecutive Year

Why in News

• China’s population declined by 3.39 million in 2025, falling to 1.405 billion.
• Total births dropped to 7.92 million, reinforcing concerns of a prolonged demographic slowdown.

What is a “Demographic Winter”?

• A demographic phase marked by a persistent and structural decline in population growth.
• No longer limited to developed countries; now a global phenomenon with deep economic and social consequences.

Key Indicators

• Fertility rate below replacement level (2.1 children per woman).
• Inverted population pyramid: Shrinking young population and Expanding elderly population
• Rising old-age dependency ratio.

Causes of Demographic Winter

1. Delayed Life Milestones:

• Later marriages and parenthood due to Career priorities, Economic insecurity, High housing and education costs

2. Urbanisation:

• Smaller, costlier urban housing discourages larger families.

3. Societal & Cultural Shifts:

• Greater female workforce participation
• Preference for smaller families
• Changing family norms

4. Access to Family Planning:

• Greater reproductive autonomy reduces unintended births.

5. Legacy Policies:

• Long-term effects of China’s One-Child Policy, including skewed age structure and gender imbalance.

Implications

• Shrinking workforce and slowing economic growth
• Pressure on pension systems and healthcare
• Rising fiscal burden due to ageing population
• Potential loss of demographic dividend

Way Forward to Address Demographic Winter

1. Pro-Natalist Policies:

• Financial incentives for childbirth
• Paid parental leave
• Affordable childcare and housing support

2. Adapting to the “Silver Economy”:

• Expansion of geriatric healthcare
• Pension and social security reforms
• Encouraging elderly workforce participation

3. Economic Structural Reforms:

• Addressing cost-of-living pressures
• Making family formation economically viable for young professionals

4. Technological Integration:

• Use of AI, robotics, and automation to sustain productivity with fewer workers

5. Global Migration Governance:

• Cooperative migration frameworks: Countries with labour surpluses support ageing economies
• Managed and skill-based migration models

Environmental Protection Fund Rules, 2026 Notified

Why in News

The Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has notified the Environmental (Protection) Fund Rules, 2026 to bring greater clarity, accountability, and efficiency in the utilisation of the Environmental Protection Fund.

About the Environmental Protection Fund (EPF)

1. Legal Framework

• Established under Section 16 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
• Maintained in the Public Account of India, ensuring dedicated and non-lapsable funding for environmental purposes.

2. Sources of the Fund

Accumulates penalties and fines collected under:

• Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974
• Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981
• Environment (Protection) Act, 1986

3. Fund Allocation Pattern

• 75% of the collected amount is transferred to States and Union Territories.
• 25% is retained by the Central Government for national-level initiatives.

Utilisation of the Fund

1. Priority Areas:

• Establishment and strengthening of environmental monitoring networks
• Remediation and restoration of polluted and contaminated sites
• Research and Development (R&D) in clean and sustainable technologies

2. Institutional Strengthening:

Financial support for enhancing the capacity of regulatory institutions, including:

• Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)
• State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs)

Governance and Oversight

1. Management Structure

• Implemented through a dedicated Project Management Unit (PMU) to ensure effective project execution.

2. Audit and Accountability

• Subject to audit by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India, ensuring transparency and financial discipline.

Significance

• Enables targeted and outcome-based environmental spending
• Strengthens regulatory enforcement and compliance mechanisms
• Supports India’s broader goals of pollution control, environmental restoration, and sustainable development

Responsible Nations Index (RNI)

Why in News

India has launched the Responsible Nations Index (RNI), aiming to shift global discourse from pure economic power to ethical governance, sustainability, and global responsibility.

About Responsible Nations Index (RNI)

1. Developing Institutions

• Developed by the World Intellectual Foundation (WIF)
• In collaboration with Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) and IIM Mumbai

2. Coverage & Framework

• A global index assessing 154 countries
• Evaluates how responsibly nations function internally and globally, beyond GDP metrics

Assessment Parameters

1. The RNI measures performance across four broad pillars:

• Ethical Governance
• Social Well-being
• Environmental Stewardship
• Global Responsibility

2. Methodology

• Based on 58 indicators
• Uses internationally sourced and comparable datasets

Key Rankings

• 1st: Singapore
• 2nd: Switzerland
• 3rd: Denmark

India’s Performance

• Rank: 16th globally
• Ahead of major economies:
  - United States: 66
  - China: 68

Significance

• Reinforces India’s narrative of values-based global leadership
• Encourages nations to integrate ethics, sustainability, and inclusivity into governance
• Complements existing indices that focus mainly on economic or military power

Central Silk Board (CSB)

Why in News

The Government has enhanced the approval limit of the Central Silk Board to expedite implementation of silk sector projects.

About Central Silk Board

• Nature: Statutory body
• Established: 1948
• Legal Basis: Central Silk Board Act, 1948
• Ministry: Ministry of Textiles

Mandate / Functions

• Promote overall development of the silk industry in India
• Research & development in sericulture and silk production
• Technology transfer, quality improvement, and capacity building
• Advisory role to the Central and State Governments

Silk Sector in India

1. India’s Global Position:

• 2nd largest producer of silk globally
• Largest consumer of silk in the world

2. Types of Silk Produced:

• Mulberry
• Tasar: Oak Tasar, Tropical Tasar
• Muga
• Eri

3. Production Pattern:

• Mulberry silk contributes ~92% of India’s total raw silk production

4. Major Silk Producing States / UTs:

• Karnataka (largest producer)
• Andhra Pradesh
• Tamil Nadu
• West Bengal
• Jammu & Kashmir

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