29 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–European Union Conclude a Landmark Free Trade Agreement

India and the European Union finalized a historic Free Trade Agreement (FTA), marking the most extensive trade pact ever concluded by either side. The agreement is expected to significantly deepen economic integration and strategic cooperation between the world’s second-largest and fourth-largest economies.

About the India–EU Free Trade Agreement

1. Enhanced Market Access

• India secures preferential entry across nearly 97% of EU tariff lines, accounting for over 99% of the trade value.
• Labour-intensive Indian industries such as Textiles, Leather goods, Gems and jewellery receive immediate duty-free access to the EU market.

2. Protection of Sensitive Domestic Sectors

• Sensitive agricultural and allied sectors are insulated through gradual liberalisation, including Dairy products, Cereals and poultry, Soymeal, Select fruits and vegetables

3. Product-Specific Flexibilities

• Introduction of self-certification mechanisms through a Statement of Origin.
• Special provisions such as Transitional periods, Tariff quotas, MSME-focused flexibilities

4. Addressing Non-Tariff Barriers

• Strengthened regulatory cooperation and enhanced transparency.
• Simplification of Customs procedures, Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) measures, Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) norms

5. Liberalisation of Services Trade

• Assured and predictable access in 144 EU service sub-sectors, including Information Technology (IT), Education and training, Research & Development, Professional and consultancy services

6. Improved Mobility Framework

• Easier movement for Employees of Indian companies, Business visitors, Independent professionals
• Aimed at boosting people-to-people and business-to-business engagement.

Other Key Outcomes of the India–EU Summit

1. Strategic Roadmap Towards 2030

• Adoption of a Joint India–EU Comprehensive Strategic Agenda focusing on Economic prosperity and sustainability, Technology and innovation, Security and defence cooperation, Global and connectivity-related challenges

2. Security and Defence Cooperation

• Formalisation of a Security and Defence Partnership.
• Initiation of negotiations on an India–EU Security of Information Agreement to facilitate the exchange of classified information.

3. Emerging and Critical Technologies

• Establishment of EU–India Innovation Hubs.
• Launch of an EU–India Startup Partnership to strengthen innovation ecosystems.

4. Clean Energy and Climate Action

• Formation of a Green Hydrogen Task Force under the EU–India Clean Energy and Climate Partnership.

5. Science and Research Collaboration

• Renewal of the India–EU Scientific and Technological Cooperation Agreement (2025–2030).
• Commencement of discussions on India’s association with Horizon Europe, the EU’s flagship research and innovation programme.

India–EU FTA represents a major step in trade liberalisation, strategic alignment, and technological cooperation, reinforcing India’s integration with global value chains while safeguarding critical domestic interests.

International Data Privacy Day

International Data Privacy Day is observed every year on 28 January to mark the adoption of Convention 108 and to promote global awareness about the protection of personal data in an increasingly digital world.

Background: Convention 108

• Adopted in 1981 by the Council of Europe.
• Recognised as the first legally binding international treaty dedicated to data protection.
• Objective:
  - Safeguard individuals from misuse of personal information
  - Establish common standards for lawful data processing across jurisdictions

India’s Data Privacy Imperative

1. India’s Growing Digital Economy

• India is among the top three digitally advanced economies globally.
• Rapid expansion of digital platforms has amplified data generation and processing.

2. Scale of India’s Digital Footprint

• Aadhaar enrolments: ~143 crore
• DigiLocker users: ~14 crore
• UPI transaction value: ~₹28 lakh crore
• Broadband subscribers: ~101 crore

3. Government Investment in Cybersecurity

• Budget allocation (2025–26): ₹782 crore
• Focus areas include Cyber resilience, Secure digital infrastructure, Public trust in digital services

India’s Legal and Regulatory Framework for Data Protection

1. Information Technology Act, 2000

• Provides the foundational legal framework for E-governance, Cybersecurity, Handling cyber incidents
• Establishes CERT-In as the national nodal agency for cyber incident response.

2. IT (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021

• Prescribes due diligence obligations for digital intermediaries.
• Introduces structured grievance redressal mechanisms.
• Aims to enhance accountability of online platforms.

3. Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act, 2023

• Regulates the processing of personal data Collected digitally and Digitised from offline sources
• Provides for the establishment of the Data Protection Board of India.
• Based on the SARAL framework: Simple, Accessible, Rational, Actionable
• Designed to balance individual rights with ease of compliance for businesses and institutions.

4. Digital Personal Data Protection Rules, 2025

• Operationalise and give procedural clarity to the DPDP Act, 2023.
• Define implementation mechanisms for data fiduciaries and regulators.

As Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) becomes central to governance, welfare delivery, and economic participation, data protection has evolved from a technical concern into a democratic necessity—essential for preserving privacy, trust, and individual autonomy in the digital age.

India Showcases Leadership in Renewable Energy Transition at WEF 2026

At the World Economic Forum (WEF) 2026, India received strong international recognition for its Renewable Energy Transition Roadmap after achieving a major milestone—50% of its cumulative installed electricity capacity from non-fossil fuel sources, five years ahead of the 2030 target.

India’s Renewable Energy Transition: Key Highlights

1. Expansion of Manufacturing Capabilities

• India’s domestic renewable energy manufacturing capacity has scaled up to 144 GW.
• Strengthens self-reliance in clean energy technologies and supply chains.

2. Adoption of Alternative and Cleaner Fuels

• The ethanol blending programme has helped reduce approximately 813 lakh metric tonnes of CO₂ emissions.
• Parallel efforts underway in Green hydrogen, Sustainable aviation and transport fuels, Other emerging low-carbon technologies

3. Improved Cost Competitiveness

• Solar power tariffs have fallen by nearly 80% over the past decade.
• Renewable energy combined with storage is now cost-competitive with conventional sources.
• Prices of green hydrogen and green ammonia discovered in India rank among the most competitive globally.

Major Initiatives Driving India’s Energy Transition

1. Decentralised Renewable Energy

• PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana
• Promotes rooftop solar installations for households.
• PM-KUSUM Scheme
• Encourages solar-powered irrigation and agricultural infrastructure.

2. Policy Push for Alternative Fuels

• National Policy on Biofuels, 2018
• Target of 20% ethanol blending in petrol by 2025–26.
• National Green Hydrogen Mission
• Aims for 5 million tonnes of annual green hydrogen production by 2030.

3. Solar Energy Leadership

• Flagship initiatives include:International Solar Alliance (ISA)
• One Sun, One World, One Grid (OSOWOG)
• Solar Parks Scheme
• Reinforces India’s role in global solar energy governance.

4. Strategic Expansion of Nuclear Energy

• Plan to triple nuclear power capacity to 22.5 GW by 2032.
• Long-term vision of achieving 100 GW by 2047 under the Nuclear Energy Mission.

5. Global Collaboration and Partnerships

• Active participation in:
  - Global Biofuel Alliance (GBA)
  - G20 Energy Transitions Working Group
  - Leadership for Industry Transition (LeadIT)
• Focus on accelerating industrial decarbonisation and clean energy cooperation.

India’s early achievement of its non-fossil capacity target highlights its emergence as a credible global leader in clean energy transition, combining policy ambition, cost efficiency, and international cooperation to advance climate goals while supporting economic growth.

UGC (Promotion of Equity in Higher Education Institutions) Regulations, 2026

The Central Government clarified that the newly notified UGC Regulations on Promotion of Equity in Higher Education Institutions, 2026 are designed to prevent discrimination and will not be misused against academic freedom or institutional autonomy.

Background and Objective

1. Addressing Discrimination in Higher Education

(a) The regulations seek to eliminate discrimination in educational institutions on the basis of:

• Caste and tribe
• Religion
• Gender
• Race
• Place of birth
• Disability

(b) Special focus on safeguarding the interests of:

• Scheduled Castes (SCs)
• Scheduled Tribes (STs)
• Other Backward Classes (OBCs)
• Economically Weaker Sections (EWS)
• Persons with Disabilities (PwDs)

2. Alignment with National Education Policy (NEP) 2020

• The regulations operationalise the equity and inclusion goals of NEP 2020.
• Emphasise:
  - Equal access to higher education
  - Fair treatment within academic spaces
  - Inclusive institutional culture

3. Scope and Applicability

• Applicable to:
  - Central, State, and Private Universities
  - Colleges affiliated to universities
  - Deemed-to-be Universities
• Ensures a uniform equity framework across India’s higher education ecosystem.

Key Provisions of the Regulations

Definition of Caste-Based Discrimination

• Clearly defined as:
  - Discrimination solely on the basis of caste or tribe
  - Directed against members of SCs, STs, and OBCs
• Aims to remove ambiguity and ensure targeted redressal.

The UGC Regulations, 2026 represent an institutional effort to strengthen social justice, inclusivity, and dignity in higher education. By clearly defining discriminatory practices and aligning with NEP 2020, the framework seeks to create safe, equitable, and inclusive learning environments across Indian universities while maintaining academic integrity.

France Moves to Ban Social Media Use for Children Under 15

France’s National Assembly approved legislation to prohibit children under 15 years old from using social media. The law also covers social networking functionalities embedded within broader digital platforms, reflecting rising global concerns over the impact of online platforms on minors.

Background

• The European Parliament has previously recommended that the EU set minimum ages for children to access social media.
• Implementation, however, remains the responsibility of individual member states, allowing France to take national action.

Impact of Social Media on Children

1. Mental Health Vulnerability

• Adolescents are exposed to Anxiety and depression, Body image issues, Low self-esteem
• Driven by: Comparison with idealised online personas, Fear of missing out (FOMO), Validation-seeking behaviours

2. Online Radicalisation

• Algorithm-driven feeds can create closed belief systems that normalise Extreme ideologies, Misogyny, Toxic masculinity (e.g., manosphere communities)

3. Social Media Addiction

• Excessive screen time can Weaken real-world family and peer relationships, Cause social isolation, Increase vulnerability to online propaganda

4. Cyberbullying

• Anonymity and absence of emotional cues facilitate Trolling and harassment, Exploitation of minors
• Notable cases: Bois Locker Room (India), other global examples

Way Forward

1. Digital Literacy

• Encourage responsible and ethical use of the internet
• Enable children to transition from passive consumption to critical engagement

2. Parental Oversight

• Foster open dialogue and supervision at home
• Provide emotional support to reduce risks of addiction, isolation, and online vulnerability

3. School System Reforms

• Strengthen Anti-bullying mechanisms, Counselling support, Teacher training, Age-appropriate curricula (e.g., Relationship, Sex and Health Education)

4. Platform Accountability

• Ensure child-friendly designs and safer algorithms
• Integrate with Education policies, Juvenile justice frameworks, Data protection regulations

France’s move reflects a growing global emphasis on protecting children in the digital space, balancing access to technology with mental health, safety, and holistic development.

Karnataka Constitutes Gig Workers’ Welfare Board

The Government of Karnataka has established the Gig Workers’ Welfare Board to strengthen social security and welfare measures for gig and platform-based workers in the state.

About the Gig Workers’ Welfare Board

1. Legal Framework

• Constituted under the Karnataka Platform-Based Gig Workers (Social Security and Welfare Development) Act, 2025.
• Provides a statutory mechanism for implementing welfare schemes for gig workers.

2. Composition

• Ex officio Chairperson: Labour Minister of Karnataka
• Members include:
  - Representatives of gig workers’ unions
  - Representatives of aggregator platforms

3. Key Mandates

• Registration of Aggregators and Gig Workers:
  -All platform-based workers and aggregator companies must be registered.
  - Issuance of unique identification numbers to registered gig workers.
• Implementation of Welfare Measures: Acts as the nodal body to facilitate government schemes and benefits for gig workers.

India Strengthens Cooperation with Euratom for Peaceful Nuclear Energy

India and the European Union (EU) have agreed to enhance collaboration under the India-Euratom Agreement, focusing on the peaceful uses of nuclear energy, including research, technology sharing, and safety measures.

About Euratom (European Atomic Energy Community)

1. Background

• Established: 1957 under the Treaty of Rome.
• Purpose: Promote the peaceful application of nuclear energy across EU member states.

2. Key Objectives

• Encourage research cooperation in nuclear science and technology.
• Facilitate technical knowledge dissemination among member states.
• Prevent the diversion of civil nuclear material for military purposes.

3. India–Euratom Cooperation

• R&D Agreement: Signed in July 2020 for peaceful nuclear energy research and development.
• Scientific Collaboration: India has been an associate member of CERN since 2017, enhancing research partnerships in nuclear and particle physics.

USA Officially Exits the Paris Climate Agreement

The United States has formally withdrawn from the Paris Climate Agreement for the second time, raising global attention on climate action and international cooperation in mitigating climate change.

About the Paris Agreement

1. Background

• Adopted: 2015 at UNFCCC COP21, Paris
• Entered into force: 2016
• Recognises climate change as a global emergency, requiring collective international action.

2. Nature and Membership

• Type: Legally binding international treaty
• Parties: 195 (194 countries + European Union)
• India: Active signatory and participant in global climate initiatives

3. Core Objectives

Limit Global Temperature Rise:

• Keep the increase well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels
• Pursue efforts to limit warming to 1.5°C, reducing climate-related risks and impacts

Nipah Virus

According to the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), West Bengal has reported two confirmed cases of Nipah Virus Disease since December 2025, highlighting the need for vigilance and public awareness.

About Nipah Virus (NiV)

1. Nature and Origin

• Zoonotic virus: Can be transmitted from animals to humans.
• Natural reservoir: Fruit bats, also known as flying foxes.

2. Transmission Pathways

• Animal to Human
  - Direct contact with infected bats or pigs
  - Consumption of raw date palm sap or fruits contaminated by bats
• Human to Human
  - Close contact with body fluids of infected individuals

3. Historical Context

• First identified: 1999 in Malaysia and Singapore
• Transmission chain: Bats → Pigs → Humans

All Set with 29 January Current Affairs? Let’s Quiz!

Ready to put your knowledge to the test? Take our daily quiz now and reinforce what you learned!

 29 January 2026 Current Affair Quiz
 

Why is 29 January 2026 Current Affairs Important for You?

• Essential for Exams: The Current Affairs of 29 January 2026 cover topics that are often asked in competitive exams.
• Boosts Your Knowledge: Helps you stay informed about the latest events and updates.
• Improves Accuracy: Daily practice with Current Affairs of 29 January 2026 improves your speed and accuracy in exams.
• Quick Revision: Acts as a daily revision tool for upcoming exams.
• Saves Time: You don’t need to search multiple sources; everything is here in one place!
• Helps in Interviews: Being updated with Current Affairs of 29 January 2026 gives you confidence for personal interviews and group discussions.

How to Use 29 January 2026 Current Affairs for Exam Preparation? 

• Read Properly: Go through the 289January 2026 Current Affairs to stay updated.
• Make Notes: Summarize key points and important updates in your own words.
• Link with Syllabus: Identify topics relevant to your exam and connect them with your syllabus.
• Practice Daily Quizzes: Test your knowledge by taking daily quizzes based on 29 January 2026 Current Affairs.
• Revise Often: Review the updates multiple times to boost your recall and confidence.
• Discuss with Peers: Join discussions and share insights to deepen your understanding.

Get Daily Updates and Stay Ahead!

Law Prep Tutorial is committed to giving you the best daily current affairs updates to help you excel in various exams. Our platform is trusted by thousands of toppers for timely, accurate, and concise updates that matter most for your exams. Explore our dedicated sections below: