🇮🇳 National News
The Election Commission of India (ECI) concluded the International Conference on Democracy and Election Management (IICDEM) 2026 with the unanimous adoption of the Delhi Declaration 2026.
This consensus declaration was adopted by 42 Election Management Bodies (EMBs), outlining shared priorities for strengthening democratic election management globally. EMBs agreed to periodic progress reviews and to reconvene in December 2026 at IIIDEM, New Delhi, to assess implementation outcomes.
1. Purity of Electoral Rolls | 2. Conduct of Elections | 3. Research & Publications | 4. Use of Technology | 5. Training & Capacity Building
The India International Institute of Democracy and Election Management (IIIDEM) will serve as the platform for training, exchanges, and best-practice dissemination.
India achieved a remarkable public health milestone by reducing malaria cases and deaths by over 80% between 2015 and 2023.
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare reported that 160 districts across 23 States and UTs maintained zero indigenous cases for three consecutive years (2022-2024).
| Indicator | 2015 | 2023 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Confirmed Cases | 11.69 lakh | 2.27 lakh | ↓ 80%+ |
| Deaths | — | 83 | ↓ 78.3% |
Over 85% of remaining cases are concentrated in Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, and West Bengal.
National Framework for Malaria Elimination (2016-2030), National Strategic Plan (2023-2027) with ‘Test, Treat, Track’ strategy, Integrated Vector Management with Long-Lasting Insecticidal Nets (LLINs), and MERA India (Malaria Elimination Research Alliance by ICMR).
The Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) constituted the Committee for Strategic Asset Allocation and Risk Governance (SAARG) to comprehensively review and modernise National Pension System (NPS) investment guidelines.
Chaired by Narayan Ramachandran, the committee will submit recommendations within 9 months.
The mandate includes foundational review and global benchmarking, asset class review and expansion, strategic asset allocation proposals, performance and accountability reforms, risk management and Asset-Liability Management frameworks, governance review across NPS intermediaries, and sustainability integration including climate transition risks and net-zero pathways into NPS investment decisions.
Rajasthan plans to introduce a ‘Disturbed Areas’ Bill, 2026, drawing from Gujarat’s 1991 law, to curb ‘demographic imbalance’, triggering civil liberty concerns.
How the Law Works: Under such laws, the district collector designates an area as ‘disturbed’ due to communal tensions, and any transfer of immovable property requires prior permission from the collector.
Gujarat’s 2020 amendments granted the Collector enhanced authority to scrutinise property transactions and raised violation penalties from six months to three to five years in prison.
Critics raise concerns about demographic policing risk, fundamental rights conflict under Article 19(1)(e) (right to reside freely) and Article 15 (non-discrimination), and chilling effect on genuine inter-community property transactions.
International athletes have complained to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) over hazardous air at Indian venues.
- India ranks 5th among most polluted countries in the IQAir World Air Quality Report 2024-25
- In mid-January 2026, Delhi’s AQI crossed 500, with PM2.5 levels 73 times WHO limits
- Around 44% of Indian cities face chronic air pollution
- 1,787 cities exceeded national PM2.5 standards over five years (CREA 2026)
Nearly one in eight deaths in India is linked to air pollution (over 2 million annually), imposing annual losses of about $36.8 billion (1.36% of GDP). Athletes breathe 10-20 times more air during exertion, causing 1.1-1.5% performance drop in elite endurance athletes.
The IOC prioritises climate-positive Games, weakening India’s 2036 Olympic bid credibility.
A Special Leave Petition (SLP) in the Supreme Court challenges the inclusion of Lambadas in Telangana’s Scheduled Tribes (ST) list.
Lambadas, also known as Sugalis or Banjaras, are a major ST community across Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. They are traditionally a nomadic/trading community believed to have originated from the Marwar region of Rajasthan.
- Historical occupation – Caravan-based transport of goods, which declined under British rule
- Language – Speak ‘Gor Boli’ or Lambadi, a distinct dialect
- Culture – Known for distinct dress, rich embroidery, and traditional music performed by Dappans
Recent excavations at Lakkundi in Karnataka have unearthed Neolithic-era artefacts, strengthening the State’s push to include Lakkundi in UNESCO’s World Heritage Site list.
The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI)-supervised excavation at Kote Veerabhadreshwar Temple in Lakkundi village, Gadag district, is aimed at uncovering buried structures.
Historically known as Lokkigundi, it was a major economic, religious, and cultural centre from the 10th-13th centuries under the Kalyana Chalukyas and Hoysalas. Known as the ‘village of a hundred wells and temples’, it is associated with Queen Attimabbe (11th century), a noted Jain patron.
Discoveries include: Neolithic artefacts (broken grey clay pot, stone axe, cowrie shells, cross-shaped pedestal), confirming continuous human occupation from prehistoric to early medieval periods.
💼 Business & Economy
The Reserve Bank of India released its annual ‘State Finances’ report for FY 2025-26 assessing states’ fiscal health.
| Indicator | FY25 (Budgeted) | Benchmark |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Fiscal Deficit | 3.3% of GDP | 3% (previous 3 fiscals) |
| State Capital Expenditure | 3.2% of GDP | — |
| Outstanding State Liabilities | 29.2% of GDP | 20% (FRBM target) |
SGST has emerged as the primary tax source but growth has slowed.
Expenditure rigidity (salaries, pensions, interest), non-merit subsidies crowding out productive investments, Discom stress creating contingent liabilities, and transparency gaps in off-budget borrowings.
Demographic divide: Young states like Bihar and UP need education investment, while ageing states like Kerala and Tamil Nadu face pension and geriatric healthcare pressure.
🌐 International News
India and the EU are poised to finalise a landmark Free Trade Agreement and Security Partnership at the 16th India-EU Summit.
| Trade Indicator | Value |
|---|---|
| Bilateral Trade in Goods (2024-25) | ~US$136 billion |
| Trade in Services (2023) | US$53 billion (record) |
| EU FDI Stock in India (2023) | €140 billion |
| European Companies in India | 6,000+ |
The EU is India’s largest trading partner in goods, with Indian IT exports leading services growth.
Key Opportunities: Textiles (10% EU tariff elimination), automobiles and E-Mobility, pharmaceuticals and chemicals, security and defence co-production, and digital/IT services.
Challenges: CBAM (20-35% carbon tax), agricultural tariffs, labor/sustainability standards, and data sovereignty differences.
The UK announced a new International Education Strategy with India among five focus countries, as education cooperation forms a key pillar under India-UK Vision 2035.
| Parameter | India | UK |
|---|---|---|
| Current Student Base | ~40 million | — |
| New Places Needed | ~30 million | — |
| Indian Students in UK | ~1,70,000 | — |
| UK Campuses in India | 9 planned | — |
Benefits for India: Capacity creation (1,100+ universities, 45,000+ colleges), quality upgrade (GER at 28%), skill readiness for young population (65% below 35 years), and research boost (R&D spending only 0.65% of GDP).
UK’s targets: Education exports of £40 billion/year by 2030, already generating ~£32 billion/year and supporting ~758,000 jobs.
India joined Pax Silica (US-led capability club) and participated in G7 critical minerals talks to counter China’s dominance.
Pax Silica is a US-led strategic initiative to secure the end-to-end silicon and AI supply chain, from critical minerals and energy inputs to semiconductors and logistics.
Key Issues in India’s Critical Minerals Plan:
- Less than 20% geological potential explored
- Weak Exploration Licence incentives (only 50% cost reimbursement capped at Rs 20 crore vs ~Rs 150 crore exploration cost)
- Long project timelines (16+ years globally, longer in India)
- Auction model weaknesses
- High effective tax burden (60-65%)
Recent improvements: MMDR Amendment Bill 2025, removal of six minerals from ‘atomic minerals’ list for private participation, and NMET repositioning for international mineral projects.
The European Space Agency (ESA) inaugurated New Norcia 3 (NNO3), a deep-space communication antenna described as a ‘permanent space phone line’.
It is the fourth deep-space antenna in the Estrack network, located at the New Norcia Ground Station in Western Australia, providing uninterrupted 24/7 global coverage. Estrack is ESA’s global network of ground stations tracking over 20 missions.
- 35-metre reflector dish with cryogenic cooling to about -263°C for detecting weak signals
- ESA’s first antenna to use AI for noise filtering and more precise auto-tracking
- Operated by CSIRO
- Can provide cross-support to NASA, JAXA, and ISRO, strengthening international space cooperation
🔬 Science & Technology
Two Bactrian camels named ‘Galwan’ and ‘Nubra’ featured in the Republic Day Parade 2026 as part of the Army’s Animal Contingent.
The Bactrian camel is a double-humped camel adapted to extreme cold and arid conditions of Central Asian cold deserts. In India, it is found only in Ladakh (Nubra Valley). The Wild Bactrian camel (Camelus ferus) is Critically Endangered on IUCN.
Domesticated approximately 5,000-6,000 years ago in Central Asia, it was named after Bactria.
Key Characteristics:
- Two humps storing fat
- Long shaggy winter coat for sub-zero temperatures
- Ability to drink ~35 gallons at once and consume saline water
- Tough leathery lips for thorny vegetation
- Broad hooves for desert terrain
Historically integral to Silk Road trade, they supported trans-Himalayan commerce in Ladakh.
📅 Important Days
India celebrated its 77th Republic Day on 26th January 2026 with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President António Costa serving as the chief guests, marking the first time two EU officials attended the ceremony together.
The 16th India-EU Summit follows on 27th January to finalise a landmark Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and a new Security and Defence Partnership. The theme of the Republic Day parade reflected 150 years of the national song ‘Vande Mataram’.
- 30 tableaux participated – 17 from States/UTs and 13 from Ministries/Departments
- Grand parade held at Kartavya Path
- Two Bactrian camels named ‘Galwan’ and ‘Nubra’ featured in the Army’s Animal Contingent, highlighting Ladakh’s unique cold-desert heritage
The Padma Awards 2026 were announced on the eve of Republic Day, with the President approving 131 awards across Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Shri categories.
Established in 1954, the Padma Awards are among India’s highest civilian honours, recognising distinguished and exceptional service involving public service across diverse fields.
| Award | Recognition For |
|---|---|
| Padma Vibhushan | Exceptional and distinguished service |
| Padma Bhushan | Distinguished service of a high order |
| Padma Shri | Distinguished service in any field |
Initially, Padma Vibhushan had three classes which were renamed in 1955. The total annual awards are capped at 120, excluding posthumous and foreign/NRI/OCI awardees. Selection is based on recommendations of the Padma Awards Committee, headed by the Cabinet Secretary.
The President of India approved the conferment of the Jeevan Raksha Padak Series of Awards 2025 to 30 individuals for acts of exceptional courage in saving lives.
| Award Category | Recipients | Monetary Allowance | Criteria |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sarvottam Jeevan Raksha Padak | 6 | Rs 2 lakh | Conspicuous courage under very great danger |
| Uttam Jeevan Raksha Padak | 6 | Rs 1.5 lakh | Courage under great danger |
| Jeevan Raksha Padak | 18 | Rs 1 lakh | Courage involving grave bodily injury risk |
Six honours were awarded posthumously.
Established in 1961 as an offshoot of the Ashoka Chakra series, these civilian life-saving gallantry awards recognise meritorious acts involving personal risk.
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