28 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

Southward Expansion of Polar Vortex

A southward shift of the polar vortex has brought extreme cold conditions to parts of the United States.

What is the Polar Vortex?

• A large, persistent low-pressure system containing extremely cold air over the Polar Regions.
• Confined by the polar-front jet stream, which separates cold polar air from warm tropical air.

Jet Stream

• Polar-front jet stream: Eastward-moving belt of strong stratospheric winds in mid-latitudes.

Key Characteristics

• Rotation: Counter-clockwise at the North Pole & Clockwise at the South Pole
• Altitude-based Types:
• Tropospheric Polar Vortex (10–15 km): Directly affects daily weather.
• Stratospheric Polar Vortex (15–50 km): Strongest during winters.

Why Does It Form? 

• Sharp temperature gradient between polar and tropical regions
• Coriolis force due to Earth’s rotation
• Pressure gradient force
• Jet stream interaction

Stability vs Instability

• Strong & Stable Vortex: Jet stream remains circular & Cold air stays confined near the poles
• Weak & Disturbed Vortex: Jet stream becomes wavy & Cold Arctic air spills southward → extreme winter events

Impacts

1. Extreme Cold Events

• Arctic Amplification (faster warming of Arctic) reduces pole–mid-latitude temperature contrast
• Leads to greater instability of the polar vortex
• Increases frequency of severe winter outbreaks in North America & Europe

2. Ozone Depletion

• Extremely cold conditions enhance polar stratospheric clouds
• Accelerates ozone destruction, especially over Antarctica (ozone hole)

3. Impact on India

• No direct impact on Indian weather
• However, Arctic wind patterns can influence western disturbances indirectly

CERT-In handled ~30 lakh cyber incidents in 2025

With internet connections crossing 100 crore in 2025 and a surge in ransomware, AI-driven scams, phishing and organised financial fraud, CERT-In has emerged as India’s frontline cyber-defence agency, handling around 30 lakh cyber incidents in a single year.

About CERT-In

• Established: 2004
• Legal Basis: Section 70B of the Information Technology Act, 2000
• Ministry: Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology (MeitY)
• Nature: National nodal agency for cyber incident response

Mandate

• Collection, analysis and dissemination of information on cyber incidents
• Issuing alerts, advisories and vulnerability notes
• Coordinating incident response with law enforcement, sectoral bodies and global CERTs
• Capacity building and best-practice promotion

Why CERT-In is Critical Now

• Cybersecurity industry size: ~$20 billion
• Ecosystem: 400+ startups
• Workforce: ~6.5 lakh professionals
• Increasing digitisation of finance, governance and critical infrastructure raises systemic risk

Key Initiatives by CERT-In

1. Cyber Swachhta Kendra (CSK)

• Botnet Cleaning & Malware Analysis Centre
• Provides free tools to detect and remove malware

2. National Cyber Coordination Centre (NCCC)

• Scans cyberspace metadata
• Generates real-time situational awareness and early warnings

3. CSIRTs (Computer Security Incident Response Teams)

• Sectoral: CSIRT-Fin, CSIRT-Power, etc.
• State-level CSIRTs
• CERT-In acts as the coordinating authority

4. Cyber Crisis Management Plan (CCMP)

• Strategic framework for handling large-scale cyberattacks
• Focus on continuity and recovery of government systems

5. Security Assurance Framework

• Empanelled auditors conduct security audits & vulnerability assessments
• Covers government and critical sector IT systems

Other Institutional Frameworks against Cybercrime

• NCIIPC (Section 70A, IT Act): Protects Critical Information Infrastructure (banking, telecom, power, transport)
• I4C (MHA): Coordinates law-enforcement response; manages National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal
• National Cyber Security Coordinator (NCSC): Under NSCS, ensures inter-agency coordination
• CFCFRMS & Helpline 1930: Rapid reporting and containment of financial cyber frauds

Articles 175 & 176 of the Constitution of India

Several States have witnessed controversies regarding the Governor’s address to the State Legislature at the beginning of legislative sessions.

Article 175 – Governor’s Right to Address / Message

1. Nature:

• Discretionary / Optional

2. Provision:

• The Governor may address either House or both Houses of the State Legislature at any time, or send messages to them.

3. Scope:

• Can be exercised during any session
• Includes the power to send written messages

4. Key Point:

• There is no constitutional compulsion to deliver such an address.

Article 176 – Governor’s Special Address

1. Nature:

• Mandatory

2. Provision:

• The Governor shall address the Legislature:
• At the commencement of the first session after each General Election, and
• At the first session of each year

3. Purpose:

• To outline the policies and programmes of the elected State Government
• Similar to the President’s Address under Article 87

Aid and Advice of Council of Ministers

• The Governor cannot act independently while delivering the address.
• Landmark Judgment: Nabam Rebia vs Deputy Speaker (2016)
  - Held that the Governor, while acting under Articles 175 and 176, must act on the aid and advice of the Council of Ministers.
  - Governor has no discretion over the content of the address.

Key Differences

Constitutional & Political Significance

• The address reflects executive accountability to the legislature.
• Any refusal, alteration, or delay by the Governor raises issues of:
  - Federalism
  - Constitutional morality
  - Limits of gubernatorial discretion

President approves conferment of 131 Padma Awards (2026)

On 27 January 2026, the President approved 131 Padma Awards, comprising: Padma Vibhushan: 5, Padma Bhushan: 13, Padma Shri: 113

Diversity of Awardees: Women: 19, Foreigners/NRI/PIO/OCI: 6, Posthumous: 16, Duo cases: 2 (counted as one each)

About Padma Awards

• Among India’s highest civilian honours (next only to Bharat Ratna).
• Three categories:
  - Padma Vibhushan: Exceptional & distinguished service
  - Padma Bhushan: Distinguished service of a high order
  - Padma Shri: Distinguished service in any field

History & Status

• Instituted: 1954 (initially as Padma Vibhushan with classes)
• Renamed: 1955 into three separate awards
• Not conferred during: 1978, 1979, 1993–1997
• Not a title under Article 18(1) → cannot be used as prefix/suffix
• SC verdict: Balaji Raghavan vs Union of India (1996)

Eligibility & Fields

• Disciplines: Art, Literature, Science, Social Work, Public Affairs, Sports, Medicine, etc.
• Not eligible: Government servants & PSU employees
• Exception: Doctors and scientists
• Posthumous awards: Generally avoided; allowed in highly deserving cases

Caps & Conditions

• Annual cap: 120 awards (excluding posthumous & foreign recipients)
• Upgradation rule: Minimum 5 years gap required to move to a higher Padma category

Selection & Conferment Process

• Nominations placed before Padma Awards Committee
  - Chair: Cabinet Secretary
  - Constituted by: Prime Minister
• Recommendations sent to PM → President
• Announcement: Eve of Republic Day
• Conferment: By President at Rashtrapati Bhavan (usually March/April)
• Award: Sanad (certificate) + Medallion

Gallantry Awards to 70 Armed Forces Personnel

On 27 January 2026, gallantry awards were announced for 70 Armed Forces personnel on the occasion of Republic Day.

About Gallantry Awards

Purpose

• Conferred for acts of bravery, valour, and self-sacrifice in war and peace.
• Conferred by: The President of India, the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces.

Categories & Timeline

1. Wartime Gallantry Awards (Instituted: 26 January 1950)

• Param Vir Chakra (PVC) – Highest wartime gallantry award
• Maha Vir Chakra (MVC)
• Vir Chakra (VrC)

2. Peacetime Gallantry Awards

• Instituted: 4 January 1952 as Ashoka Chakra Class-I, II, III
• Renamed in 1967 as:
  - Ashoka Chakra – Highest peacetime gallantry award
  - Kirti Chakra
  - Shaurya Chakra

Border Roads Organisation (BRO)

BRO successfully carried out a high-altitude rescue and road restoration operation at Chatergala Pass in Jammu & Kashmir, ensuring connectivity and civilian safety.

Chatergala Pass

1. Altitude:

• ~10,500 feet

2. Location:

• Jammu & Kashmir

3. Connectivity:

• Links Bhaderwah (Doda district) with Basohli (Kathua district)

4. Significance:

• Critical for regional connectivity, disaster response, and movement of security forces
• Vulnerable to snowfall, landslides, and avalanches

Other Important Passes in J&K / Ladakh: Khardung La, Umling La, Zoji La

About Border Roads Organisation (BRO)

• Established: 1960
• Administrative Control: Ministry of Defence (since 2015)
• Nature: Specialised road-construction and maintenance organisation with civil-military integration

Objectives

• Develop and maintain strategic road infrastructure in border and difficult terrains
• Ensure all-weather connectivity for defence forces and civilians
• Support national security, border management, and regional development

Key Functions

• Construction & maintenance of Border roads, Bridges, Tunnels
• Disaster response: Rescue operations, road clearance after avalanches, landslides, cloudbursts
• Strategic mobility: Enables rapid troop deployment and logistics support

Strategic Significance

• Acts as a force multiplier for India’s border management
• Enhances civilian access to remote regions (healthcare, education, markets)
• Vital for mountain warfare preparedness, especially along India–China (LAC), India–Pakistan (LoC)

World Health Organization (WHO)

The United States, WHO’s largest donor, has officially completed its withdrawal from the organization.

About WHO

• Established: 1948
• Status: Specialized agency of the United Nations
• Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland
• India: Founding member

Mandate & Functions

• Directs and coordinates global health responses
• Sets international health norms and standards
• Declares Public Health Emergencies of International Concern (PHEIC)
• Supports countries in disease surveillance, preparedness, and response

Governance Structure

1. Membership:

• 194 Member States (open to all UN members)

2. World Health Assembly (WHA):

• Supreme decision-making body
• Meets annually; one-country-one-vote

3. Executive Board:

• Implements WHA decisions and policies

4. Secretariat:

• Technical and administrative arm
• Headed by the Director-General
• Supported by six regional offices

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