24 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

State of Finance for Nature 2026 – UNEP Report

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) released the State of Finance for Nature 2026, highlighting global financial flows for conservation versus nature-degrading activities.

Key Highlights

1. Global Financial Imbalance:

• Nature-negative finance (2023): $7.3 trillion
• Investments in activities that degrade natural infrastructure (e.g., fossil fuels, industrial projects, harmful subsidies)
• Nature-positive finance (NbS, 2023): $220 billion
• Investments in Nature-based Solutions (NbS) promoting environmental conservation
• Scale: Nature-negative finance is 30 times higher than nature-positive finance

2. Public vs Private Finance:

• 90% of NbS finance comes from public sources
• Private finance mainly goes to high-impact sectors like fossil fuels, heavy industry, etc.

3. Funding Requirement:

• NbS investment needed by 2030: $571 billion per year (2.5× current level)
• Objective: Achieve Rio Convention targets:
  - Limit global warming to 1.5°C
  - Halt biodiversity loss

Key Recommendations

• Redirect capital away from nature-negative activities
• Reform Environmentally Harmful Subsidies (EHS)
• Mandate disclosure of nature-related risks by corporations
• Expand blended finance and de-risking investments to mobilize private capital

About Nature-Based Solutions (NbS)

• Leverages healthy ecosystems to address societal challenges
• Actions: Protect, manage, restore natural and modified ecosystems
• Examples:
  - Coral reef restoration
  - Greener urban infrastructure
  - Mangrove protection

Key Initiatives

1. Global

• Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF): Protect 30% of land & sea by 2030, cut $500 billion/year of harmful subsidies
• Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD): Framework for businesses to report and act on nature-related risks

2. India

• MISHTI Scheme: Mangrove plantation along coastlines and salt pans
• Amrit Dharohar: Conservation of Ramsar wetlands via community participation

Military Quantum Mission Policy Framework

The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) released the Military Quantum Mission Policy Framework, aiming to integrate quantum technology into India’s defence capabilities.

Vision

• Achieve jointness and integration among the Tri-Services (Army, Navy, Air Force)
• Prepare for technology-centric warfare and maintain technological dominance on future battlefields

Civil-Military Fusion

• Aligned with National Quantum Mission (NQM)
• Ensures collaboration between civilian research institutions and military applications
• Managed through dedicated governing bodies

Core Quantum Domains in Defence

• Quantum Communication – e.g., Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) for theoretically unhackable communication
• Quantum Computing – Optimizing logistics, analyzing signals intelligence (SIGINT), powering Quantum AI for autonomous systems
• Quantum Sensing & Metrology – Quantum Radar & Imaging to detect stealth aircraft/submarines, Quantum Navigation in GPS-denied areas
• Quantum Materials & Devices – Adaptive materials (e.g., camouflage), extreme durability for aerospace

Applications in Defence

• Secure Communications: QKD ensures encryption resistant to hacking
• Quantum Sensing: Radar and imaging detect invisible targets
• Navigation: High-accuracy navigation without GPS
• Intelligence & Logistics: Quantum algorithms optimize battlefield operations
• Cyber Defence: Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) for infrastructure security
• Advanced Materials: Quantum-engineered materials for protective and adaptive applications

About Quantum Technology

• Applies quantum mechanics principles: superposition and entanglement
• Superposition: Qubits can exist in 0, 1, or both simultaneously → allows massive parallel computation
• Entanglement: Linked particles affect each other instantly over any distance → key for secure communications

CAQM Report on Air Pollution in Delhi-NCR

The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) released an expert report on sources and mitigation of Delhi-NCR air pollution, prepared following the Supreme Court directive in the M.C. Mehta vs. Union of India case.

Key Findings

1. Main Sources of Pollution

Insight: Secondary PM is the largest contributor, highlighting chemical formation of pollution beyond direct emissions.

2. Trends

• PM2.5 and PM10: Gradual decline since 2016, but still above National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS).
• Transboundary Pollution: ~2/3 of Delhi’s PM2.5 originates outside Delhi.
• Seasonal Effects: Winter pollution peaks due to low wind speeds, shallow planetary boundary layer, and atmospheric stagnation, not sudden emission spikes.

3. Recommendations

(a) Infrastructure

• Increase waste-to-energy plants
• Install barrier-free toll systems
• Rationalize Environment Compensation Charge (ECC)

(b) Transport Reforms

• Phase out polluting vehicles
• Expand electric & CNG public transport
• Promote zero-emission mobility
• Improve traffic management to reduce congestion

(c) Governance

• NCR states to implement mandatory annual air quality action plans for accountability

UNSC Reforms Model Proposed by G4 (India, Brazil, Germany, Japan)

The G4 nations have proposed a model for early restructuring of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to make it more representative and effective.

About UNSC

• Established: By the UN Charter as one of six principal organs of the UN
• Primary Function: Maintaining international peace and security
• Current Structure: 15 members
  - 5 Permanent Members (P5): USA, UK, France, China, Russia (veto power)
  - 10 Non-Permanent Members: Elected by General Assembly for 2-year terms, no immediate re-election

Key Reforms Proposed by G4

1. Expansion of Membership:

• Total seats: 25–26
• New Permanent Members: 6 (making total 11)
• Non-Permanent Members: 14–15

2. Regional Distribution of New Permanent Seats:

• 2 from African Member States
• 2 from Asia-Pacific Member States
• 1 from Latin American & Caribbean States
• 1 from Western European & Other States

3. Support Mechanism:

• Each G4 nation supports the permanent seat bid of the other three members

Need for Reforms

• Outdated Power Structure: Current setup reflects post-1945 reality; ignores rise of Global South
• Veto Deadlocks: Can paralyze action during major conflicts (e.g., Ukraine, Gaza)
• Under-representation: Major nations like India lack permanent representation
• Financial Dependence: Heavy reliance on major donors (e.g., USA) risks undue influence

NITI Aayog Reports on Green Transition: Cement, Aluminium & MSME Sectors

NITI Aayog has released sectoral decarbonisation roadmaps to align Indian industries with national and global climate commitments.

About Decarbonisation

• Definition: Reducing or eliminating CO₂ emissions from an economy, industry, or process.
• Objective: Achieve Net Zero GHG emissions while sustaining industrial growth.

India’s Climate Targets

• Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs): Reduce emissions intensity of GDP by 45% by 2030 (from 2005 levels)
• Panchamrita Goals: Achieve Net Zero GHG emissions by 2070

Sector-Specific Importance

Significance of Decarbonisation

• Helps India meet international climate obligations
• Mitigates export risks due to carbon regulations in importing countries
• Enhances competitiveness of Indian industries in global green markets
• Drives innovation in clean technologies for energy efficiency and low-carbon processes

ECINET – Election Commission of India Digital Platform

Launch Context:

• Launched at the International Conference on Democracy and Election Management (IICDEM) 2026.
• Beta version piloted successfully during the 2025 Bihar Assembly Elections.

About ECINET

• Purpose: Integrated digital ecosystem for end-to-end management of electoral processes.
• Scope: Designed as the world’s largest electoral service platform.
• Integration: Unifies multiple electoral services on a single platform.

Key Services

• Voter Registration – New, updates, and corrections.
• Electoral Roll Search – Verify voter details.
• Track Your Application – Monitor status of registration or grievance.
• Know Your Candidate – Information about contesting candidates.
• Connect with Election Officials – Facilitate communication with ECI officials.
• e-EPIC Download – Digital Voter ID card.
• Grievance Redressal – Submit and track complaints/issues.

Significance

• Enhances transparency and efficiency in election management.
• Allows real-time monitoring of electoral processes.
• Supports inclusive voter services, empowering citizens digitally.

Board of Peace

Context:

• Announced by the US President; India was absent.
• Attended by 19 countries, including Argentina, Canada, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey.

About Board of Peace

1. Type:

• Proposed international organisation and transitional governing body.

2. Objective:

• Manage post-conflict transitions, with a current focus on Gaza.
• Oversee and coordinate governance, security, and reconstruction.
• Mobilise international resources and ensure accountability in post-conflict settings.

3. Membership & Structure:

• Chair: US President.
• Executive Board: Select global leaders.
• Membership: Invitation-based; includes fixed-term and paid permanent members.

Significance:

• Represents a new model of international intervention and governance in conflict zones.
• Raises questions of legitimacy and inclusivity, especially for countries like India that were absent from initial formation.

Generalised Scheme of Preferences (GSP) – EU

Context:

• The European Union (EU) has extended the suspension of preferential trade benefits for India under its GSP.

About GSP

• Introduced: 1971
• Purpose:
  - Poverty reduction – Expand exports from vulnerable countries.
  - Sustainable development & governance – Encourage compliance with human rights, labor, and environmental standards.

Structure (Three Tiers)

Significance of Suspension:

• Restricts India’s preferential market access to the EU.
• Can impact export competitiveness in sectors previously benefiting from GSP benefits.

TeraWave Communications Network – Blue Origin

Overview:

• Developer: Blue Origin
• Purpose: Deploy thousands of satellites to create a next-generation communications network.

Key Features

1. Constellation:

• 5,408 satellites in LEO and MEO (hybrid model).

2. Connectivity:

• Symmetrical bandwidth for upload and download.
• Radio frequency and optical links.

3. Optical Connectivity:

• Uses light pulses through fiber-optic or free-space channels.
• Provides high-speed, low-latency, high-bandwidth data transfer.

4. Target Users:

• Enterprise, government, and data centers requiring reliable, critical communications.

Significance:

• Supports mission-critical operations with robust and high-speed connectivity.
• Hybrid LEO-MEO constellation improves coverage, redundancy, and latency compared to single-orbit systems.

NATO – North Atlantic Treaty Organization

Context:

The U.S. withdrew its tariff threat related to Greenland after agreeing on a framework for a future arrangement with NATO.

About NATO

• Founded: 1949 via the North Atlantic Treaty (Washington Treaty).
• Headquarters: Brussels, Belgium.
• Membership: 32 countries from Europe and North America (including Sweden as the latest member).
• Nature:
  -Political and military alliance.
  - Principle of collective defense (Article 5): an attack on one member is treated as an attack on all.

Significance

• Ensures mutual security cooperation among member states.
• Provides a platform for strategic coordination on defense and geopolitical issues.

Personality in News: Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose

Date of Commemoration: 23 January – Parakram Diwas (129th Birth Anniversary, 2026)

About Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose

• Lifespan: 1897–1945
• Role: Indian nationalist leader who fought for complete independence from British rule.
• Political Career:
  - President of Indian National Congress in 1938 and 1939; resigned due to ideological differences.
  - Advocated direct action against British colonialism rather than constitutional reform.

Key Contributions

1. Media & Propaganda:

• Wrote for Chittaranjan Das's newspaper Forward.
• Founded his own paper Swaraj to promote the independence movement.

2. Escape from British Surveillance:

• Escaped house arrest in 1941 to seek international support from Germany and Japan during WWII.

3. Indian National Army (INA):

• Led the INA (Azad Hind Fauj) from 1943.
• Fought alongside Japanese forces in northeast India and Burma against the British.

4. Provisional Government of Free India:

• Established in Imphal, Manipur, to mobilize Indians for an anti-British revolt.

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