23 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

India’s Comprehensive AI Strategy Highlighted at WEF 2026

Why in News

At the World Economic Forum (WEF) 2026, the Union Minister outlined India’s end-to-end approach to building a sustainable and inclusive AI ecosystem, structured across five interlinked layers.

Five-Layer AI Ecosystem: India’s Approach

1. Application & Usage Layer (Highest RoI)

• Focus: Applying AI at scale in governance, agriculture, and enterprise workflows.
• Strategy: Use-case driven deployment rather than tech-for-tech’s sake.
• Examples:
  - Kisan e-Mitra: AI chatbot assisting farmers.
  - Bhashini: AI-based translation across 20+ Indian languages, improving access to digital public services.

2. Model Layer

• Strategy: Smaller, focused AI models instead of only large foundational models.
• Key points:
  - Development of ~12 domain-specific AI models.
  - Designed to run on small GPU clusters, lowering costs.
  - Around 95% of current AI workloads are handled by smaller models.
  - A 50-billion parameter model is sufficient for most enterprise applications.

3. Semiconductor / Chip Layer

• Goal: Reduce external dependency through indigenous chip capabilities.
• Focus areas:
  - Custom silicon development.
  - Manufacturing strength in 28nm–90nm range.
• Applications covered:
  -Electric vehicles, automobiles, railways, industrial systems.

4. AI Infrastructure Layer

• Scale-up of data centres, cloud, and compute capacity.
• Investment: Around USD 70 billion in AI infrastructure already confirmed and under rollout.

5. Energy Readiness Layer

• Objective: Sustainable energy support for AI growth.
• Strategy:
  - Integration of green and clean energy for data centres.
  - Private sector participation in nuclear energy enabled through the Shakti Act to power the full AI stack.

Overall Significance

• Positions India as a cost-efficient, scalable, and inclusive AI power.
• Balances innovation, affordability, sustainability, and strategic autonomy.
• Aligns with India’s vision of Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) and AI for public good.

Third Path Framework for Reformed, Inclusive & Networked Multilateralism

Why in News

At the World Economic Forum (WEF) 2026, the Canadian Prime Minister proposed a new global agenda—the “Third Path” (or Carney Doctrine)—as an alternative to US–China rivalry and the erosion of the rules-based international order.

What is the Third Path / Carney Doctrine?

A framework for middle-power–led, flexible multilateralism, combining values with realism and networks over rigid blocs.

Core Pillars

1. Value-Based Realism

• Upholds sovereignty, territorial integrity, and human rights.
• Accepts divergent national interests, value differentials, and incremental progress.
• Emphasizes domestic strength (economic resilience, institutions, technology) as the foundation of credible foreign policy.

2. Cooperation of Middle Powers

• Advocates collective action by middle powers to balance hegemonic pressures.
• Seeks to shape norms, rules, and outcomes without binary alignment.
• Enhances leverage through issue-based coalitions rather than permanent camps.

3. Variable Geometry

• Flexible, issue-specific coalitions based on shared interests and values.
• Allows countries to cooperate differently across domains (security, trade, climate, tech).
• Examples: Schengen Area, G7, Quad.

Who are Middle Powers?

• States below great powers (often defined by UNSC P5) that don’t dominate the system but wield significant diplomatic, economic, technological, or normative influence.
• Examples: India, Canada, Australia, Japan, South Korea, Indonesia, Brazil, several EU states.

Relevance for India

• Strategic Autonomy: Avoids binary alignment in a polarized world.
• Coalition Leadership: Fits India’s role in Quad, G20, BRICS, IBSA, and issue-based partnerships.
• Rule-Shaping: Enables India to push reforms in UNSC, WTO, IMF/World Bank.
• Domestic Strength First: Aligns with India’s focus on manufacturing, digital public infrastructure, energy transition, and defence indigenisation.
• Global South Leadership: Platform to advocate development justice, climate finance, and debt relief.

Significance

• Offers a networked alternative to declining universal multilateralism.
• Reinforces pragmatic cooperation without sacrificing core values.
• Reflects a shift from bloc politics to modular, problem-solving coalitions.

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

Why in News

A Pixxel-led consortium has signed an agreement with IN-SPACe to design, build, and operate India’s first privately operated national Earth Observation (EO) satellite constellation, marking a major milestone in India’s space sector reforms.

Key Stakeholders

• Lead Entity: Pixxel
• Consortium Members:
  - Piersight Space
  - Satsure Analytics India
• - Dhruva Space
• Nodal Agency: IN-SPACe (Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre)
• Mandate: Authorisation, regulation, and promotion of private space activities in India

Key Features of the EO Constellation Project

1. Execution Model:

• Public–Private Partnership (PPP)

2. Strategic Shift:

• From government-built EO satellites
• To industry-operated national EO infrastructure
• Constellation Size: 12 satellites

3. Sensor Capabilities:

• Very High-Resolution Optical Imaging
• Multispectral Imaging
• Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) (all-weather, day-night capability)
• Hyperspectral Imaging (detailed material and vegetation analysis)

4. Project Scale:

• Investment of ₹1,200 crore
• Timeline: 5 years

5. End-to-End Ecosystem:

• Satellite design & deployment
• Data downlink & processing
• Value-added geospatial analytics

About Earth Observation (EO) Satellites

1. Definition:

• Satellites that collect data on Earth’s surface, oceans, and atmosphere using optical and radar-based sensors.

2. Major Applications:

• Agriculture & crop monitoring
• Disaster management & early warning systems
• Climate change studies
• Urban planning & infrastructure monitoring
• Water resource management
• National security & surveillance

3. Strategic Value:

• Enables evidence-based policymaking
• Enhances self-reliance in geospatial data
• Reduces dependence on foreign EO data

Draft National Electricity Policy (NEP) 2026 Released

Why in News

The Ministry of Power has released the Draft National Electricity Policy (NEP) 2026, set to replace the existing NEP, 2005, to align India’s power sector with emerging energy, climate, digital, and economic realities.

Key Targets

Per Capita Electricity Consumption

• 2,000 kWh by 2030
• >4,000 kWh by 2047 (Viksit Bharat @100)

Key Achievements of India’s Power Sector

• Universal Electrification: Achieved in 2021
• Unified National Grid: Operational since 2013
• Per Capita Consumption: 1,460 kWh (2024–25)

Salient Features of Draft NEP 2026

1. Index-Based Annual Tariff Revision:

• Tariffs linked to a suitable index for automatic annual revision
• Aims to ensure cost-reflective pricing and reduce political discretion

2. Cybersecurity & Data Sovereignty:

• Robust cybersecurity framework
• Mandatory domestic storage of power sector data

3. Distribution System Operator (DSO)

Independent DSO to:

• Enable network sharing
• Integrate distributed renewables
• Support energy storage and Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) systems

4. Renewable Energy & Storage

• Market-based deployment of energy storage
• Promotion of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) and emerging technologies
• Facilitates higher RE penetration while maintaining grid stability

Rationale / Need for the Policy

• DISCOM Financial Stress Persistent losses and high outstanding debt
• Lack of Cost-Reflective Tariffs Revenue gaps and inefficiencies in the sector
• Industrial Competitiveness High industrial tariffs due to cross-subsidisation, hurting global competitiveness

Significance

• Supports energy transition while ensuring affordability and reliability
• Strengthens grid resilience, digital security, and market efficiency
• Aligns power sector reforms with Net Zero 2070 and industrial growth

Spain Joins the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI)

Why in News

Spain has joined the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI), reinforcing Europe’s engagement with a free, open, and rules-based Indo-Pacific.

About IPOI

• Nature: Non-treaty, voluntary, issue-based cooperation framework
• Launched by: India at the East Asia Summit, 2019 (Bangkok)
• Conceptual Base: Builds on India’s SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) vision (2015)
• Indo-Pacific Definition: Interconnected space between the Indian and Pacific Oceans, linked by the Malacca Strait
• Global Significance:
  0- Home to >50% of world population
  - Accounts for ~⅔ of global economy

Seven Pillars of IPOI

• Maritime Security
• Maritime Ecology
• Maritime Resources
• Capacity Building & Resource Sharing
• Disaster Risk Reduction & Management
• Science, Technology & Academic Cooperation
• Trade, Connectivity & Maritime Transport

Significance of Spain’s Entry

• European Outreach: Signals deeper EU participation in Indo-Pacific governance beyond France and Germany.
• Rules-Based Order: Supports freedom of navigation and UNCLOS-based maritime norms.
• Strategic Balancing: Adds diplomatic weight to counter unilateral maritime assertiveness, especially in the Indo-Pacific commons.
• Issue-Based Multilateralism: Aligns with flexible coalitions rather than rigid alliances.

Atal Pension Yojana (APY) Continued Till 2030-31

Why in News

The Union Cabinet has approved the continuation of Atal Pension Yojana (APY) up to 2030–31 to strengthen India’s universal social security system.

About Atal Pension Yojana (APY)

• Launch Date: 9th May 2015
• Objective: Provide a universal social security net, especially for the poor, underprivileged, and workers in the unorganized sector.
• Type: Central Sector Scheme
• Eligibility: Indian citizens aged 18–40 years, who are non-income-tax payers

Key Features

Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana (SSY) Completes 11 Years

Why in News

Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana (SSY) has completed 11 years since its launch under the Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao campaign, promoting financial security for girl children.

About Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana (SSY)

• Launch Date: 22nd January 2015
• Objective: Ensure long-term savings for a girl child’s education and future needs, and promote her welfare.
• Scheme Type: Government-backed small savings scheme

Key Features

Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development 2025 Awarded to Graca Machel

Key Highlights

• Awardee: Graca Machel, renowned human rights activist from Mozambique
• Year: 2025
• Purpose: Recognizes creative efforts in peace, disarmament, development, and human welfare

About the Indira Gandhi Prize

• Instituted: 1985
• Administered by: Indira Gandhi Memorial Trust
• Frequency: Annually
• Eligibility: Open to any individual or organization, irrespective of nationality, race, or religion

Criteria / Objectives

The prize is awarded for efforts in:

• Promoting international peace and disarmament, racial equality, and goodwill among nations
• Securing economic cooperation and promoting a new international economic order
• Ensuring science and knowledge benefit humanity
• Expanding freedom and enriching the human spirit

India to Roll Out First ‘Made in India’ C-295 Transport Aircraft by September 2026

Key Highlights

• Timeline: First C-295 aircraft to roll out before September 2026
• Manufacturing Unit: Airbus–Tata Final Assembly Line, Vadodara
• Significance: Marks a step toward indigenous production of tactical military transport aircraft

About C-295 Aircraft

• Type: Medium-range, twin-engine turboprop tactical transport aircraft
• Flight Endurance: Up to 11 hours
• Key Features:
  - Short Take-Off and Landing (STOL) capability
  - Designed for troop transport, cargo supply, medical evacuation, and paratroop operations
• Indigenous Context: First fully ‘Made in India’ tactical transport aircraft, strengthening defence self-reliance

One Station One Product

Why in News

Indian Railways’ One Station One Product (OSOP) initiative has expanded to over 2,000 railway stations, empowering 1.32 lakh artisans as of January 2026.

About One Station One Product (OSOP)

• Launch Year: 2022
• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Railways
• Aim:
  - Promote indigenous, local and specialised products of different regions
  - Provide direct market access to artisans, weavers, SHGs, and MSMEs through railway stations

Key Features

• Dedicated stalls/outlets at railway stations for local products
• No middlemen, ensuring better income realization for producers
• Rotational display to accommodate multiple artisans
• Integration with railway footfall for nationwide visibility

Products Covered

• Handicrafts: Wood carving, metal craft, terracotta
• Handlooms & Textiles: Chikankari, zari–zardozi, ikat, local weaves
• Tribal artefacts and indigenous crafts
• Processed and semi-processed local food products

Significance

• Economic Empowerment: Livelihood support to artisans and local producers
• Cultural Preservation: Revival of traditional crafts and GI-based products
• Inclusive Growth: Supports rural and semi-urban economies
• Market Expansion: Converts railway stations into micro-economic hubs

Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary

Why in News

The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has notified Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary as an Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ) under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.

Eco-Sensitive Zones (ESZs)

• Legal Basis: Environment (Protection) Act, 1986
• Purpose: Act as a transition zone between areas of high protection (PAs) and regions of lesser protection.
• Extent: Generally up to 10 km around Protected Areas, but site-specific variations are permitted.
• Objective: Regulate activities to reduce anthropogenic pressure and promote sustainable development.

About Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary

• Established: 1971
• Area: 610.5 sq km
• Location: Rajasthan — parts of Rajsamand, Udaipur, and Pali districts
• Significance: Surrounds the Kumbhalgarh Fort (a UNESCO World Heritage Site)

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