2026 for January 1970

Important Days in 2026, National and International Days List

January 9, 2026

Important Days in 2026, Month-wise List helps candidates track national and international observances throughout the year in an organised manner. These days cover important themes such as health, environment, education, science, culture, and national pride. Remembering the date along with its significance improves general awareness and exam performance.

The detailed article on Important Days in 2026, along with a month-wise list have been mentioned below.

Important Days in 2026

Important Days in 2026 include nationally and internationally recognised dates observed to promote awareness about health, environment, human rights, culture, science, and historical events. Throughout the year, these days commemorate significant milestones such as independence movements, social reforms, humanitarian efforts, and global cooperation initiatives.

Important Days in January 2026

Important Days in January 2026 mark the beginning of the year with significant national and international observances such as Republic Day, National Youth Day, and Army Day. These days highlight themes of patriotism, youth empowerment, cultural heritage, and social awareness.

Important Days in January 2026
Date	Important Day	Significance
1 January	English New Year	Marks the beginning of the Gregorian calendar year
1-31 January	National Road Safety Month	Spreads awareness on traffic safety and accident prevention
4 January	World Braille Day	Highlights importance of Braille for visually impaired
4 January	Holi	Festival symbolising victory of good over evil
5 January	National Birds Day	Promotes bird conservation and biodiversity
6 January	World War Orphans Day	Focuses on children orphaned due to wars
9 January	Pravasi Bharatiya Divas	Celebrates contribution of Indian diaspora
10 January	World Hindi Day	Promotes Hindi language globally
11 January	Lal Bahadur Shastri Death Anniversary	Remembers India’s second Prime Minister
12 January	National Youth Day	Birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda
13 January	Lohri	Harvest festival of North India
14 January	Makar Sankranti	Marks sun’s transition into Capricorn
15 January	Army Day	Establishment of Indian Army leadership
23 January	Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Jayanti	Honors freedom fighter Subhas Chandra Bose
25 January	India Tourism Day	Promotes tourism in India
25 January	National Voters Day	Encourages democratic participation
26 January	Republic Day	Adoption of Indian Constitution
28 January	Lala Lajpat Rai Jayanti	Birth anniversary of Punjab Kesari
28 January	Data Protection Day	Awareness on data privacy
28 January	K.M. Cariappa Day	Honors India’s first Field Marshal
30 January	Martyrs’ Day	Death anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi
30 January	World Leprosy Day	Awareness for leprosy eradication
31 January	International Zebra Day	Conservation of zebra species

Important Days in February 2026

Important Days in February 2026 focus on health, science, language, and social justice, with key observances like World Cancer Day, National Science Day, and International Mother Language Day.

Important Days in February 2026
Date	Important Day	Significance
1 February	Indian Coast Guard Day	Formation of Indian Coast Guard
2 February	World Wetlands Day	Conservation of wetlands
4 February	World Cancer Day	Awareness on cancer prevention
13 February	World Radio Day	Importance of radio communication
20 February	World Social Justice Day	Promotes equality and fairness
21 February	Mother Language Day	Protects linguistic diversity
24 February	Central Excise Day	Formation of Excise Department
28 February	National Science Day	Discovery of Raman Effect

Important Days in March 2026

March 2026 emphasises equality, happiness, and environmental protection through observances such as International Women’s Day, World Water Day, and World Wildlife Day. It promotes social justice, sustainability, and global well-being.

Important Days in March 2026
Date	Important Day	Significance
1 March	Zero Discrimination Day	Promotes equality
3 March	World Wildlife Day	Wildlife conservation
8 March	International Women’s Day	Women empowerment
14 March	Pi Day	Mathematical awareness
15 March	Consumer Rights Day	Protects consumer interests
20 March	Happiness Day	Global well-being
21 March	World Forestry Day	Forest conservation
22 March	World Water Day	Sustainable water management
23 March	Shaheed Diwas	Martyrdom of Bhagat Singh
24 March	World Tuberculosis (TB) Day	Tuberculosis awareness

Important Days in April 2026

Important Days in April 2026 underlines public welfare, democracy, and cultural heritage. The table have been shared below.

Important Days in April 2026
Date	Important Day	Important Day
1 April	Odisha Foundation Day	Marks the formation of Odisha as a separate state in 1936
1 April	April Fools’ Day	A day associated with humor, jokes, and light-hearted pranks
1 April	Prevention of Blindness Week	Promotes eye care awareness and prevention of avoidable blindness
2 April	World Autism Awareness Day	Spreads awareness about autism spectrum disorder and social inclusion
5 April	National Maritime Day	Commemorates India’s maritime history and shipping sector
7 April	World Health Day	Raises awareness on global public health issues under WHO
10 April	World Homoeopathy Day	Birth anniversary of Dr. Samuel Hahnemann, founder of homoeopathy
11 April	National Safe Motherhood Day	Focuses on maternal health and reducing maternal mortality
13 April	Vaisakhi / Baisakhi / Vishu	Harvest festivals celebrated in different parts of India
13 April	Jallianwala Bagh Massacre	Remembers the 1919 massacre during India’s freedom struggle
14 April	Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Jayanti	Birth anniversary of the chief architect of the Indian Constitution
15 April	Bengali New Year / Bihu	Celebrates New Year and harvest season in eastern India
17 April	World Haemophilia Day	Raises awareness about haemophilia and bleeding disorders
18 April	World Heritage Day	Promotes protection of cultural and natural heritage sites
21 April	National Civil Service Day	Recognises the role of civil servants in governance
22 April	World Earth Day	Encourages environmental protection and climate action
23 April	World Book and Copyright Day	Promotes reading, publishing, and intellectual property rights
24 April	National Panchayati Raj Day	Marks constitutional status of local self-governance in India
25 April	World Malaria Day	Focuses on prevention and eradication of malaria
26 April	World Intellectual Property Day	Highlights importance of innovation and IP rights
30 April	World Veterinary Day	Recognises contributions of veterinarians to animal health

Important Days in May 2026

Important Days in May 2026 focuses on workers’ rights, family values, and global health through days like International Labour Day, International Day of Families, and World No Tobacco Day.

Important Days in May 2026
Date	Important Day	Significance
1 May	International Labour Day / May Day	Celebrates workers’ rights and labour movements worldwide
1 May	Maharashtra Day	Marks the formation of Maharashtra state in 1960
2 May	World Asthma Day	Raises awareness about asthma management and care
3 May	World Press Freedom Day	Promotes freedom of expression and press independence
4 May	Coal Miners Day	Recognises the contribution of coal miners
7 May	World Athletics Day	Encourages youth participation in sports and fitness
8 May	World Red Cross Day	Marks the birth of Henry Dunant and humanitarian work
8 May	World Thalassaemia Day	Raises awareness about thalassaemia prevention and care
9 May	Rabindranath Tagore Jayanti	Birth anniversary of Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore
11 May	National Technology Day	Commemorates India’s technological achievements
12 May	Mother’s Day	Celebrates motherhood and maternal bonds
12 May	International Nurses Day	Birth anniversary of Florence Nightingale
17 May	National Endangered Species Day	Promotes conservation of endangered species
18 May	Armed Forces Day	Honours the armed forces and their service
18 May	World AIDS Vaccine Day	Encourages research towards HIV vaccines
18 May	International Museum Day	Highlights role of museums in cultural preservation
21 May	National Anti-Terrorism Day	Observed in memory of Rajiv Gandhi
22 May	International Day for Biological Diversity	Promotes biodiversity conservation
26 May	National Memorial Day	Honours military personnel who died in service
31 May	World No Tobacco Day	Raises awareness about harmful effects of tobacco

Important Days in June 2026

Important Days in June 2026 centre on environmental protection, yoga, and humanitarian issues, including World Environment Day and International Yoga Day.

Important Days in June 2026
Date	Important Day	Significance
1 June	World Milk Day	Highlights the importance of milk and dairy for nutrition
2 June	Telangana Formation Day	Marks formation of Telangana state in 2014
4 June	International Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression	Protects children affected by war and violence
5 June	World Environment Day	Encourages environmental protection and climate action
7 June	World Food Safety Day	Raises awareness of safe food handling and hygiene
8 June	World Oceans Day	Promotes conservation of oceans and marine resources
12 June	World Day Against Child Labour	Focuses on ending child labour worldwide
16 June	Martyrdom of Guru Arjan Dev	Commemorates the 5th Sikh Guru’s martyrdom
17 June	World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought	Promotes sustainable land management
19 June	World Sickle Cell Awareness Day	Awareness about sickle cell disease
19 June	World Sauntering Day	Promotes slow walking for health and relaxation
20 June	World Refugee Day	Recognises the rights and plight of refugees
21 June	World Hydrography Day	Highlights the importance of mapping seas and waterways
21 June	International Yoga Day	Promotes physical and mental well-being through yoga
23 June	International Olympic Day	Celebrates Olympic values and sports participation
23 June	United Nations Public Service Day	Recognises contributions of public servants
23 June	International Widow’s Day	Raises awareness of challenges faced by widows
26 June	International Day against Drug Abuse	Focuses on prevention of drug abuse worldwide
29 June	National Statistics Day	Recognises importance of statistics for development
30 June	World Asteroid Day	Promotes awareness of asteroid impact risks

Important Days in July 2026

Important Days in July 2026 highlights population awareness, youth skills, and national pride with observances such as World Population Day and Kargil Vijay Diwas. It encourages responsibility, innovation, and patriotism.

Important Days in July 2026
Date	Important Day	Significance
1 July	National Doctor’s Day	Honours doctors for their contributions to healthcare
1 July	Canada Day	Celebrates Canada’s national day and independence
1 July	Chartered Accountants Day (India)	Recognises the role of CAs in India’s economy
2 July	National Anisette Day	Celebrates the anise-flavored liqueur drink
4 July	Independence Day (USA)	Commemorates US independence from British rule in 1776
7 July	Jagannath Puri Rath Yatra	Annual Hindu chariot festival in Puri, Odisha
11 July	World Population Day	Focuses on global population awareness and challenges
12 July	Malala Day	Celebrates education advocacy and women’s rights inspired by Malala Yousafzai
15 July	World Youth Skills Day	Highlights importance of skill development for youth
17 July	World Day for International Justice	Promotes accountability and international justice mechanisms
18 July	International Nelson Mandela Day	Honors Mandela’s legacy of peace, equality, and social justice
21 July	Guru Purnima	Pays tribute to spiritual and academic teachers
22 July	Chandrayaan 2 Launch Anniversary	Marks India’s second lunar mission launch
24 July	National Thermal Engineer Day	Recognises contributions of thermal engineers in India
26 July	Kargil Vijay Diwas	Commemorates India’s victory in Kargil War (1999)
28 July	World Nature Conservation Day	Promotes biodiversity and natural habitat protection
28 July	World Hepatitis Day	Raises awareness about hepatitis prevention and treatment
29 July	International Tiger Day	Promotes tiger conservation and wildlife protection

Important Days in August 2026

Important Days in August 2026 commemorate freedom, humanitarian values, and peace, led by Independence Day, Quit India Movement Day, and World Humanitarian Day. The month reflects sacrifice, unity, and national pride.

Date	Important Day	Significance
6 August	Hiroshima Day	Remembers the atomic bombing of Hiroshima in 1945
7 August	National Handloom Day	Promotes India’s handloom sector and traditional weaving
8 August	Quit India Movement Day	Commemorates India’s 1942 struggle for independence
9 August	Nagasaki Day	Remembers atomic bombing of Nagasaki in 1945
12 August	International Youth Day	Highlights youth empowerment and social engagement
12 August	World Elephant Day	Promotes conservation of elephants and their habitats
13 August	World Organ Donation Day	Encourages organ donation to save lives
14 August	Youm-e-Azadi (Pakistan Independence Day)	Commemorates Pakistan’s independence from British India in 1947
15 August	National Mourning Day (Bangladesh)	Observes the assassination of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in 1975
15 August	Independence Day (India)	Marks India’s independence from British rule in 1947
19 August	World Humanitarian Day	Honors aid workers and promotes humanitarian causes
20 August	Sadbhavna Diwas	Promotes national harmony and peace in India
20 August	Indian Akshay Urja Day	Highlights renewable energy initiatives in India
29 August	National Sports Day	Marks birth anniversary of hockey legend Major Dhyan Chand

Important Days in September 2026

Important Days in September 2026 focus on education, democracy, and peace through International Literacy Day and International Day of Peace.

Important Days in September 2026
Date	Important Day	Significance
1 September	National Nutrition Week	Promotes awareness about balanced diet and nutrition
5 September	Teachers’ Day (India)	Honors teachers on Dr. S. Radhakrishnan’s birth anniversary
8 September	International Literacy Day	Promotes global literacy and education
11 September	National Forest Martyrs Day	Honors forest personnel who sacrificed their lives
14 September	Hindi Diwas	Celebrates Hindi as India’s official language
15 September	Engineer’s Day (India)	Marks birth anniversary of M. Visvesvaraya
15 September	International Day of Democracy	Promotes democratic values and governance
16 September	World Ozone Day	Raises awareness on ozone layer protection
18 September	World Bamboo Day	Promotes sustainable use of bamboo resources
21 September	International Day of Peace (UN)	Promotes global peace and non-violence
22 September	World Rhino Day	Promotes conservation of rhinoceros species
24 September	Antyodaya Diwas	Honors Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya’s birth anniversary
25 September	World Pharmacists Day	Recognizes role of pharmacists in healthcare
26 September	World Environmental Health Day	Highlights link between environment and public health
28 September	World Rabies Day	Raises awareness to eliminate rabies
30 September	International Translation Day	Honors translators and language professionals

Important Days in October 2026

Important Days in October 2026 highlight non-violence, mental health, and social equality, with key observances like Gandhi Jayanti and World Mental Health Day.

Important Days in October 2026
Date	Important Day	Significance
1 October	International Day of the Older Persons	Promotes dignity, rights, and well-being of senior citizens
2 October	Gandhi Jayanti	Marks birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi
2 October	International Day of Non-Violence	Promotes non-violence inspired by Gandhian philosophy
8 October	Indian Air Force Day	Commemorates establishment of Indian Air Force in 1932
9 October	World Postal Day	Highlights role of postal services in communication
10 October	World Mental Health Day	Raises awareness about mental health issues
12 October	Dussehra	Celebrates victory of good over evil
13 October	International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction	Promotes disaster preparedness and resilience
16 October	World Anaesthesia Day	Commemorates first public demonstration of anaesthesia
17 October	International Day for the Eradication of Poverty	Highlights need to end poverty globally
20 October	World Statistics Day	Promotes importance of statistics in development
24 October	United Nations Day	Marks establishment of the United Nations in 1945
31 October	Rashtriya Ekta Diwas (National Unity Day)	Marks birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel

Important Days in November 2026

Important Days in November 2026 emphasise children’s welfare, science, and social tolerance through Children’s Day and World Science Day. It reflects compassion, education, and equality.

Important Days in November 2026
Date	Important Day	Significance
1 November	Rajyotsava Day (Karnataka Formation Day)	Celebrates formation of Karnataka state in 1956
5 November	World Tsunami Awareness Day	Raises awareness about tsunami risks and preparedness
7 November	National Cancer Awareness Day	Promotes early detection and cancer prevention
9 November	Legal Services Day	Raises awareness about legal aid and justice
11 November	National Education Day	Celebrates birth anniversary of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad
12 November	World Pneumonia Day	Raises awareness on pneumonia prevention
14 November	Children’s Day (India)	Celebrates childhood on Jawaharlal Nehru’s birth anniversary
16 November	International Day for Tolerance	Promotes mutual understanding and harmony
17 November	National Epilepsy Day	Raises awareness about epilepsy
19 November	World Toilet Day	Promotes sanitation and hygiene
24 November	Guru Nanak Jayanti	Celebrates birth of Guru Nanak Dev Ji
25 November	International Day for Elimination of Violence against Women	Raises awareness to end gender-based violence
26 November	Constitution Day of India	Commemorates adoption of Indian Constitution

Important Days in December 2026

Important Days in December 2026 focus on human rights, national pride, and social responsibility, marked by World AIDS Day, Vijay Diwas, and Human Rights Day.

Important Days in December 2026
Date	Important Day	Significance
1 December	World AIDS Day	Raises awareness about HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment
2 December	National Pollution Control Day	Commemorates the Bhopal Gas Tragedy and promotes pollution control
4 December	Indian Navy Day	Marks Operation Trident and honours the Indian Navy
5 December	World Soil Day	Highlights importance of soil health for ecosystems
7 December	Armed Forces Flag Day	Supports welfare of Indian armed forces personnel
9 December	International Anti-Corruption Day	Raises awareness against corruption globally
10 December	Human Rights Day	Marks adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
14 December	National Energy Conservation Day	Promotes energy efficiency and conservation in India
16 December	Vijay Diwas	Celebrates India’s victory in the 1971 Indo-Pak war
18 December	Minorities Rights Day (India)	Protects constitutional rights of minorities
19 December	Goa’s Liberation Day	Marks Goa’s liberation from Portuguese rule in 1961
22 December	National Mathematics Day	Birth anniversary of Srinivasa Ramanujan
23 December	Kisan Diwas	Birth anniversary of Chaudhary Charan Singh
24 December	National Consumer Rights Day	Promotes awareness of consumer rights
25 December	Christmas Day	Celebrates birth of Jesus Christ
25 December	National Good Governance Day	Birth anniversary of Atal Bihari Vajpayee

Important Days in 2026 FAQs

Q1: What will be celebrated in 2026?

Ans: 2026 will be celebrated with major national, international, cultural, environmental, and awareness days observed throughout the year.

Q2: What is the significance of the year 2026?

Ans: The year 2026 holds importance for global observances, policy milestones, and competitive exam current affairs preparation.

Q3: What are the important days in August 2026 in India?

Ans: Key days include Independence Day (15 August), Quit India Movement Day (8 August), Hiroshima Day (6 August), and National Sports Day (29 August).

Q4: What will happen in year 2026?

Ans: 2026 will witness regular international observances, national commemorations, and scheduled social, environmental, and scientific events worldwide.

Q5: Why should students remember Important Days of 2026?

Ans: Remembering Important Days of 2026 helps students score better in competitive exams and stay aware of national and global issues.

UPSC Daily Quiz 9 January 2026

January 9, 2026

[WpProQuiz 63]

UPSC Daily Quiz FAQs

Q1: What is the Daily UPSC Quiz?

Ans: The Daily UPSC Quiz is a set of practice questions based on current affairs, static subjects, and PYQs that help aspirants enhance retention and test conceptual clarity regularly.

Q2: How is the Daily Quiz useful for UPSC preparation?

Ans: Daily quizzes support learning, help in revision, improve time management, and boost accuracy for both UPSC Prelims and Mains through consistent practice.

Q3: Are the quiz questions based on the UPSC syllabus?

Ans: Yes, all questions are aligned with the UPSC Syllabus 2025, covering key areas like Polity, Economy, Environment, History, Geography, and Current Affairs.

Q4: Are solutions and explanations provided with the quiz?

Ans: Yes, each quiz includes detailed explanations and source references to enhance conceptual understanding and enable self-assessment.

Q5: Is the Daily UPSC Quiz suitable for both Prelims and Mains?

Ans: Primarily focused on Prelims (MCQ format), but it also indirectly helps in Mains by strengthening subject knowledge and factual clarity.

Pravasi Bharatiya Divas 2026, Objectives, Impact, Importance

January 9, 2026

Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) 2026 is a flagship annual event organized by the Government of India to honor the contributions of the Indian diaspora worldwide. This day is celebrated every year on 9 January, commemorating the return of Mahatma Gandhi from South Africa to India in 1915, symbolizing the historical connection between overseas Indians and the motherland.

Pravasi Bharatiya Divas 2026

Pravasi Bharatiya Divas 2026 continues the legacy of reinforcing India’s relationship with its vast diaspora spread across more than 200 countries. India has the largest diaspora population in the world, estimated at over 35 million people, making engagement with overseas Indians strategically important for diplomacy, trade, technology transfer, and cultural exchange.

Pravasi Bharatiya Divas 2026 Objectives

Pravasi Bharatiya Divas 2026 Objectives focus on strengthening India’s engagement with its overseas community and leveraging diaspora potential for national development.

Strengthen the connection between India and Indians living abroad by building trust and long-term relationships
Provide a common platform where overseas Indians can interact directly with Indian leaders and policymakers
Encourage NRIs and OCIs to invest, start businesses, and support development projects in India
Promote sharing of skills, knowledge, and global experience for India’s growth
Preserve Indian culture, traditions, and values among overseas Indian communities
Recognize and honor the achievements and contributions of Indians living in other countries

Pravasi Bharatiya Divas 2026 Impact on the Indian Diaspora

Strengthens global identity of the Indian diaspora, which is the largest in the world at over 35 million people spread across 200+ countries
Enhances direct engagement with the Government of India through structured dialogue, policy discussions, and grievance redressal platforms
Encourages economic participation, as the Indian diaspora contributes over USD 120 billion annually in remittances, making India the world’s top remittance recipient
Boosts diaspora investment in India across sectors like startups, infrastructure, healthcare, and education
Provides recognition through Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Awards, motivating overseas Indians to remain connected with India
Strengthens cultural ties by promoting Indian languages, traditions, and heritage among second- and third-generation overseas Indians

Pravasi Bharatiya Divas 2026 FAQs

Q1: What is Pravasi Bharatiya Divas 2026?

Ans: Pravasi Bharatiya Divas 2026 is an annual government-led event that celebrates the contributions of the Indian diaspora and strengthens ties between India and overseas Indians.

Q2: Why is Pravasi Bharatiya Divas celebrated on 9 January?

Ans: It marks the return of Mahatma Gandhi to India from South Africa in 1915, symbolizing the historical role of overseas Indians in India’s freedom movement.

Q3: Who can participate in Pravasi Bharatiya Divas 2026?

Ans: NRIs, OCIs, PIOs, diaspora organizations, youth leaders, and invited dignitaries can participate in PBD 2026.

Q4: What are Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Awards?

Ans: These are the highest honors conferred on overseas Indians for exceptional contributions in fields such as business, science, culture, education, and public service.

Q5: Why is PBD important for India?

Ans: PBD strengthens diaspora engagement, boosts investment and innovation, promotes cultural diplomacy, and enhances India’s global standing.

Long Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRAShM)

January 9, 2026

Long Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRAShM) Latest News

India’s indigenous LR-ASHM missile will be on display at the Republic Day parade on January 26, highlighting the country’s growing maritime strike capability.

About Long Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRAShM)

It is a hypersonic glide missile developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
- Hypersonic glide vehicles (HGVs) like the LRAShM differ from traditional ballistic missiles, which follow a fixed trajectory.
- HGVs are launched on a rocket, ascend to the upper atmosphere, and then glide towards their target in an unpredictable manner.
- This combination of exceptional speed and maneuverability makes them extremely difficult to intercept with existing air defense technologies.
It outperforms similar missiles like China’s DF-17 in terms of range and technology.
It is being built for anti-ship roles (to target enemy warships and carrier groups) and may also evolve into a land-attack variant.

Long Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRAShM) Features

The missile’s standout feature is its incorporation of a delta-wing hypersonic glide vehicle (HGV), which allows it to follow highly complex and adaptive flight paths.
It is reported to have a range of over 1,500 kilometers.
This missile operates at 10 Mach, making it 10 times faster than the speed of sound.
This missile can obliterate an enemy ship or warship within 7 to 8 minutes of being launched.
The missile's radio frequency (RF) seeker, designed to operate effectively at hypersonic speeds, ensures accurate strikes against moving targets, such as warships, a capability that very few weapons possess.
It is configured for launches from both land-based platforms and naval vessels, offering versatility in combat scenarios.
It is capable of carrying various payloads, including both conventional and nuclear warheads,
The incorporation of special heat-resistant materials ensures the missile can withstand extreme temperatures without disintegrating during flight, setting a new benchmark in scramjet and glide technology.

Source: ZEE

Long Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRAShM) FAQs

Q1: What is the Long Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRAShM)?

Ans: It is a hypersonic glide missile developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).

Q2: What is the primary role of Long Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRAShM)?

Ans: Anti-ship warfare, targeting enemy warships and aircraft carrier groups.

Q3: What is the reported range of Long Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRAShM)?

Ans: More than 1,500 kilometres.

Kamala Hydroelectric Project

January 9, 2026

Kamala Hydroelectric Project Latest News

The Public Investment Board (PIB) recently gave approval for the Rs 26,070-crore, 1,720 MW Kamala hydroelectric project in Arunachal Pradesh.

About Kamala Hydroelectric Project

It is a 1,720 MW hydroelectric project proposed on the Kamala River (a major tributary of the Subansiri River) in Arunachal Pradesh's Kamle district.
It is a storage-based scheme with a flood moderation component.
The project involves construction of a 216-metre-high concrete gravity dam and an underground powerhouse.
The project will generate 6,869.92 MU of green energy annually on completion.
In addition to power generation, the project also envisaged to provide flood relief in the Brahmaputra valley.
The project will be implemented on a Build-Own-Operate-Transfer (BOOT) basis through a joint venture company with 74% equity by NHPC and 26% by the Govt of Arunachal Pradesh (GoAP).
The completion cost of the project is estimated at Rs 26,069.50 crore.
The project’s financing structure reflects strong institutional backing, with a 70:30 debt-equity ratio, substantial Central grants—Rs 1,340 crore for enabling infrastructure and Rs 4,743.98 crore for flood moderation—and 100 percent SGST reimbursement by the Arunachal Pradesh Government.

Source: TOI

Kamala Hydroelectric Project FAQs

Q1: Where is the Kamala Hydroelectric Project proposed to be located?

Ans: It is proposed on the Kamala River in Kamle district of Arunachal Pradesh.

Q2: What is the total installed capacity of the Kamala Hydroelectric Project?

Ans: The project has an installed capacity of 1,720 MW.

Q3: Kamala River is a tributary of which major river?

Ans: The Kamala River is a tributary of the Subansiri River.

Q4: Does the Kamala Hydroelectric Project have a flood moderation component?

Ans: Yes, the project includes a flood moderation component.

North Island

January 9, 2026

North Island Latest News

A magnitude 5.5 earthquake struck the North Island region of New Zealand recently.

About North Island

It is one of the two main islands of New Zealand in the South Pacific Ocean.
It is separated from the South Island by Cook Strait.
It covers an area of about 113,729 sq.km. This makes it the 14th largest island in the world.
The North Island is smaller than the South Island but has more people living on it.
- About 77% of all New Zealand residents live on the North Island.
- It is the most populated island in Polynesia.
The island’s terrain rises to a central mountain range (a continuation of the South Island range), which parallels the east coast.
- The range reaches its highest point at the volcanic Mount Ruapehu (2,797 metres) within Tongariro National Park (designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1990).
Many important cities are found on the North Island.
- These include Auckland, which is the largest city.
- The capital city of New Zealand, Wellington, is also located here.
- Other major cities are Hamilton, Tauranga, and Rotorua.
Important bodies of water on the island include:
- Lake Taupō
- Waikato River
- Whanganui River
The North Island has several active and dormant volcanoes:
- Auckland Volcanic Field
- Mount Ruapehu
- Mount Taranaki (also called Taranaki Maunga)
- Mount Tarawera
- Whakaari/ White Island
- North Island Volcanic Plateau

Source: IT

North Island FAQs

Q1: What is the North Island?

Ans: It is one of the two main islands of New Zealand located in the South Pacific Ocean.

Q2: Which strait separates the North Island from the South Island?

Ans: The Cook Strait separates the two islands.

Q3: What is the highest point on the North Island?

Ans: Mount Ruapehu at 2,797 metres.

Q4: Which is the largest city located on the North Island?

Ans: Auckland is the largest city.

Q5: Which capital city of New Zealand is located on the North Island?

Ans: Wellington is located on the North Island.

Weimar Triangle

January 9, 2026

Weimar Triangle Latest News

India’s External Affairs Minister recently participated in India’s first-ever engagement in the Weimar Triangle, with French and Polish counterparts along with German representatives.

About Weimar Triangle

It is a regional political grouping of France, Germany, and Poland.
It was formed on 29 August 1991 by a joint declaration issued in Weimar, Germany, by the Foreign Ministers of the three countries.
It had three objectives:
- To involve France in German-Polish reconciliation by building on the Franco-German experience;
- To strengthen dialogue and political cooperation between the three countries.
- To support Poland in its process of integration into NATO and the European Union (EU).
Regular meetings at levels including heads of government, foreign ministers, and European affairs ministers have enabled coordination on EU policies, with notable outcomes including Poland's accession to NATO in 1999 and the European Union in 2004.
Although the Weimar Triangle still has no institutional structure, it remains a framework of reference at the political level.
Beyond diplomacy, it encompasses civil society efforts like youth exchanges, academic collaborations, and business networks to promote intercultural dialogue and mobility.

Source: HT

Weimar Triangle FAQs

Q1: What is the Weimar Triangle?

Ans: It is a regional political grouping of France, Germany, and Poland.

Q2: When was the Weimar Triangle formed?

Ans: It was formed on 29 August 1991.

Q3: What was the primary purpose of involving France in the Weimar Triangle?

Ans: To involve France in German-Polish reconciliation using the Franco-German experience.

Q4: What role did the Weimar Triangle aim to play in European cooperation?

Ans: It aimed to strengthen dialogue and political cooperation among France, Germany, and Poland

Q5: How did the Weimar Triangle support Poland’s international integration?

Ans: It supported Poland’s integration into NATO and the European Union.

M-STrIPES

January 9, 2026

M-STrIPES Latest News

Forest staff who are to be involved in the census of tigers and other wild animals at Anamalai Tiger Reserve will be using the advanced Monitoring System for Tigers: Intensive Protection and Ecological Status (M-Stripes/MSTrIPES) app.

About M-STrIPES

The MSTrIPES (Monitoring System for Tigers: Intensive Protection and Ecological Status) is a software-based monitoring system created to assist patrol and protect tiger habitats.
It was launched by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) along with the Wildlife Institute of India in 2010.
It is designed to assist wildlife protection, monitoring, and management of Protected Areas.
The programme consists of two parts: an analytical engine with a central desktop software and an online analysis tool, and an Android-based mobile application that records field observations and tracks using real-time GPS.
It uses Global Positioning System (GPS), General Packet Radio Services (GPRS), and remote sensing,
- to collect information from the field
- create a database using modern Information Technology (IT)-based tools
- analyze the information using GIS and statistical tools
- to provide inferences that allow tiger reserve managers to better manage their wildlife resources.
Under MSTrIPES protocols, forest guards are expected to patrol their beats and record their tracks using a GPS, in addition to recording observations in site-specific data sheets.
- Beat is the smallest unit of forest administration in India since British time and usually one forest guard is assigned for one beat.

Key Facts about Anamalai Tiger Reserve

It is located at an altitude of 1400 m in the Anamalai Hills of Pollachi and Coimbatore District of Tamil Nadu.
It lies south of the Palakkad gap in the Southern Western Ghats.
It is surrounded by the Parambikulum Tiger Reserve on the east, Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary, and Eravikulum National Park on the southwestern side.
It is inhabited by six indigenous communities, viz., Kadar, Muduvar, Malasar, Malai malasar, Eravalar, and Pulayar.
Vegetation:
- It supports diverse habitat types, viz. Wet evergreen forests, semi-evergreen forests, moist deciduous, dry deciduous, dry thorn, and shola forests.
- Other unique habitats like montane grasslands, savannah, and marshy grasslands are also present.
Flora: The reserve is rich in wild relatives of cultivated species like mango, jackfruit, wild plantain, ginger (Zingiber officinale), turmeric, pepper (Piper longum), cardamom, etc.
Fauna: The important wild animals of the reserve include: Tiger, Asiatic elephant, Sambar, Spotted deer, Barking deer, Jackal, Leopard, Jungle cat, etc.

Source: NIE

M-STrIPES FAQs

Q1: What does M-STrIPES stand for?

Ans: Monitoring System for Tigers: Intensive Protection and Ecological Status.

Q2: What is M-STrIPES?

Ans: It is a software-based monitoring system used for protecting and monitoring tiger habitats.

Q3: Which organisations launched M-STrIPES?

Ans: The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) and the Wildlife Institute of India (WII).

Q4: Which technologies are used by M-STrIPES to collect field data?

Ans: It uses Global Positioning System (GPS), General Packet Radio Services (GPRS), and remote sensing.

Barak River

January 9, 2026

Barak River Latest News

The Senapati Forest Division recently launched Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) exercises as a pilot initiative to rejuvenate the Barak River watershed while simultaneously strengthening local livelihoods.

About Barak River

It is a river in northeastern India that flows through Manipur, Mizoram, and Assam before entering Bangladesh.
It is the second largest river in Northeast India after the Brahmaputra.
Course:
- It rises from the Manipur hills, south of Mao in the Senapati district of Manipur, at an elevation of 2,331 m.
- It flows then along the Nagaland-Manipur border through hilly terrains and enters Assam.
- In Assam, the Barak Valley gets its name from the river and includes the districts of Cachar, Hailakandi, and Karimganj, forming the southernmost part of the state.
- Just before flowing into the neighboring country of Bangladesh, the Barak splits into the Surma River and the Kusiyara River.
- These two rivers meet to form the Meghna River, which flows southward, joins the Padma River, and finally drains into the Bay of Bengal.
Length: It has a length of about 900 km. It spans 524 km in India, with a significant part along the Indo-Bangladesh border.
The Barak River basin, formed by the Barak and its tributaries, drains India, Bangladesh, and Myanmar.
- In India the basin spreads over states of Meghalaya, Manipur, Mizoram, Assam, Tripura, and Nagaland.
- It is bounded by the Barail range separating it from the Brahmaputra basin on the north, by the Naga and Lushai hills on the east, and by the Mizo hills and the territory of Bangladesh on the south and west.
- The entire basin falls in the Eastern Himalayan region of the Agro Climatic Zone.
- The major part of the basin is covered by forest.
- Due to the hilly topography, terrace farming is common in this region.
Tributaries: The principal tributaries of the Barak are Jiri, Chiri, Modhura, Jatinga, Harang, Dhaleswari, Singla, Longai, Sonai, and Katakhal.
There are four major dams, namely Khoupum Dam, Mawphlang Dam, Gumti Hydro Dam, and Myntdu-Leshka Dam.
The 121-km stretch of the river between Lakhipur and Bhanga in Assam was declared by the Government of India as National Waterway 16.

Source: ITNE

Barak River FAQs

Q1: In which part of India is the Barak River located?

Ans: The Barak River is located in northeastern India.

Q2: Which Indian states does the Barak River flow through before entering Bangladesh?

Ans: It flows through Manipur, Mizoram, and Assam.

Q3: From where does the Barak River originate?

Ans: It rises from the Manipur Hills south of Mao in the Senapati district of Manipur.

Q4: What is the total length of the Barak River?

Ans: The Barak River is about 900 km long.

Q5: Which countries are drained by the Barak River basin?

Ans: India, Bangladesh, and Myanmar.

Directorate General of Mines Safety (DGMS)

January 9, 2026

Directorate General of Mines Safety (DGMS) Latest News

The Directorate General of Mines Safety (DGMS) recently celebrated its 125th Foundation Day at its Headquarters in Dhanbad, Jharkhand.

About Directorate General of Mines Safety (DGMS)

It is the Regulatory Agency under the Ministry of Labour & Employment, Government of India, in matters pertaining to occupational safety, health, and welfare of persons employed in mines.
It has its headquarters at Dhanbad (Jharkhand) and is headed by the Director-General of Mines Safety.
History:
- For administering the provisions of the Indian Mines Act, 1901, the Government of India set up a "Bureau of Mines Inspection" on the 7th January 1902 with headquarters at Calcutta.
- The name of the organization was changed to the Department of Mines in 1904, and its headquarters shifted to Dhanbad in 1908.
- On 01.01.1960, the organization was renamed as "Office of the Chief Inspector of Mines".
- Since 01.05.1967, the office has been redesignated as the DGMS.
The mission of the DGMS is to continually improve safety and health standards, practices, and performance in the mining industry and upstream petroleum industry by implementing:
- proactive safety and health strategies;
- continuous improvement of processes;
- effective use of resources;
- commitment and professional behaviour in its personnel.
Under the Constitution of India, the safety, welfare, and health of workers employed in mines are the concern of the Central Government (Entry 55-Union List-Article 246).
- The objective is regulated by the Mines Act, 1952, and the Rules and Regulations framed thereunder.
- These are administered by the DGMS.

Source: PIB

Directorate General of Mines Safety (DGMS) FAQs

Q1: Which Ministry does the Directorate General of Mines Safety (DGMS) function under?

Ans: It functions under the Ministry of Labour & Employment, Government of India.

Q2: Where is the headquarters of the Directorate General of Mines Safety (DGMS) located?

Ans: The headquarters of DGMS is located at Dhanbad in Jharkhand.

Q3: What is the primary mission of the Directorate General of Mines Safety (DGMS)?

Ans: To continually improve safety and health standards and performance in the mining and upstream petroleum industries.

Vera C Rubin Observatory

January 9, 2026

Vera C. Rubin Observatory Latest News

Scientists analyzing the first images from the Vera C. Rubin Observatory recently discovered the fastest-spinning asteroid in its size class yet named 2025 MN45.

About Vera C. Rubin Observatory

It is located 8,684 feet above sea level atop the Cerro Pachón mountain in the Chilean Andes, where dry air and dark skies provide one of the world's best observing locations.
It is named after American astronomer Vera C. Rubin, who provided evidence about dark matter for the first time in the 1970s.
It is jointly funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation and the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Science.
The observatory has four main scientific goals:
- Understand the nature of dark matter and dark energy.
- Create an inventory of the asteroids, comets, and other objects in the solar system.
- Map the Milky Way and help reconstruct its history.
- Explore objects — like exploding stars and black holes — that change position or brightness over time.
The centrepiece of the observatory is the Simonyi Survey Telescope.
- The 8.4-meter telescope has the world’s largest digital camera, which is the size of a small car, weighs 2,800 kg, and boasts a staggering resolution of 3,200 megapixels.
- It can capture about 45 times the area of the full moon in the sky with each exposure.
- It is the fastest-slewing telescope in the world and takes just five seconds to move and settle from one target to another.
- This speed is due to the telescope’s compact structure (owing to the three-mirror design) and its mount, which floats on a film of oil.
This observatory will provide comprehensive images of the night sky unlike anything astronomers have seen before.
It will constantly scan the sky of the southern hemisphere for 10 years, creating an ultra-wide, ultra-high-definition time-lapse record of the universe.
It will produce approximately 20 terabytes of data every night. The amount of data gathered by Rubin Observatory in its first year alone will be greater than that collected by all other optical observatories combined.
It revealed its first images on June 23, 2025.

Key Facts about 2025 MN45

It is a newly discovered asteroid.
It resides in the main asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter.
It measures about 0.4 miles (710 meters) across.
It completes one rotation every 1.88 minutes, making it "the fastest-spinning asteroid with a diameter over 500 meters that astronomers have found.

Source: LS

Vera C.Rubin Observatory FAQs

Q1: Where is the Vera C. Rubin Observatory located?

Ans: It is located atop Cerro Pachón mountain in the Chilean Andes at an elevation of 8,684 feet above sea level.

Q2: After whom is the Vera C. Rubin Observatory named?

Ans: It is named after American astronomer Vera C. Rubin, who provided evidence about dark matter for the first time in the 1970s

Q3: Which organisations jointly fund the Vera C. Rubin Observatory?

Ans: It is jointly funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation and the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Science.

Q4: What is the name of the main telescope at the Vera C. Rubin Observatory?

Ans: The Simonyi Survey Telescope.

Q5: Why is the camera of the Vera C. Rubin Observatory considered unique?

Ans: It is the world’s largest digital camera with a resolution of 3,200 megapixels.

Mayon Volcano

January 9, 2026

Mayon Volcano Latest News

A series of mild eruptions at Mayon Volcano, the most active in the Philippines, has forced nearly 3,000 villagers to evacuate from its foothills recently.

About Mayon Volcano

It is an active stratovolcano located in Albay province on Luzon Island in the Philippines.
It is part of the Pacific Ring of Fire.
It is the Philippines' most active volcano.
Called the world’s most perfect volcanic cone because of the symmetry of its shape, it has a base 130 km in circumference and rises to 2,462 metres from the shores of Albay Gulf.
It has steep upper slopes capped by a small summit crater.
Popular with climbers and campers, the volcano is the centre of Mayon Volcano National Park.
There are large abaca plantations on its lower slopes.
Historical eruptions date back to 1616 CE that have been characterized by Strombolian eruptions, lava flows, pyroclastic flows, and mudflows.
- Mayon's most violent eruption, in 1814, killed more than 1200 people and devastated several towns.
- An eruption in 1993 caused 79 deaths.
- Subsequent eruptions in 2000, 2006, 2009, 2014, 2018 and 2022 forced tens of thousands of people in nearby villages to evacuate.

What is a Stratovolcano?

It is a tall, steep, and cone-shaped type of volcano.
Unlike flat shield volcanoes, they have higher peaks.
They are typically found above subduction zones, and they are often part of large volcanically active regions, such as the Ring of Fire that frames much of the Pacific Ocean.
Stratovolcanoes comprise the largest percentage (~60%) of the Earth’s individual volcanoes, and most are characterized by eruptions of andesite and dacite, lavas that are cooler and more viscous than basalt.
These more viscous lavas allow gas pressures to build up to high levels. Therefore, these volcanoes often suffer explosive eruptions.
They are usually about half-half lava and pyroclastic material, and the layering of these products gives them their other common name of composite volcanoes.
At the peak, stratovolcanoes usually have a small crater.

Source: DEVD

Mayon Volcano FAQs

Q1: Where is Mayon Volcano located?

Ans: It is located in Albay province on Luzon Island in the Philippines.

Q2: What type of volcano is Mayon Volcano?

Ans: It is an active stratovolcano.

Q3: Why is Mayon Volcano called the world’s most perfect volcanic cone?

Ans: Because of the remarkable symmetry of its shape.

Q4: What type of eruptions commonly characterize Mayon Volcano?

Ans: Strombolian eruptions, lava flows, pyroclastic flows, and mudflows.

Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA)

January 9, 2026

Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) Latest News

The commerce ministry's arm, APEDA, recently launched an initiative to support agri-food and agri-tech startups, aimed at promoting innovation and creating new export opportunities for young entrepreneurs.

About Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA)

APEDA is a statutory body established by the Government of India under the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority Act passed by the Parliament in December, 1985.
The Authority replaced the Processed Food Export Promotion Council (PFEPC).
It works under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
Objective: To develop and promote the export of scheduled products.
The products specified under the APEDA Act are called scheduled products, and exporters of such scheduled products are required to register under APEDA.
Examples of scheduled products: Fruits, Vegetables, Meat, Poultry Products. Dairy Products, Confectionery, Biscuits, Bakery Products, Honey, Jaggery, etc.
APEDA is responsible for providing financial assistance, information, and guidelines for the development of scheduled products.
In addition to this, APEDA has been entrusted with the responsibility of monitoring the import of sugar as well.
APEDA also functions as the Secretariat to the National Accreditation Board (NAB) for the implementation of accreditation of the Certification Bodies under National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP) for Organic exports.
Functions:
- Setting the standards and specifications for the scheduled products.
- Registration of exporters of the scheduled products on payment of required fees.
- Improving packaging and marketing of the Scheduled products.
- Carrying out an inspection of products to ensure the quality of such products.
- Training in various aspects of the industries connected with the scheduled products.
- Development of industries relating to the scheduled products and undertaking surveys, feasibility studies, etc.
- Collection of statistics from the owners of factories or establishments and publication of such statistics.
APEDA is headed by a Chairman appointed by the Central Government.
Headquarters: New Delhi
APEDA has set up 15 Regional Offices at Mumbai, Bengaluru, Telangana, Kolkata, Guwahati, Ahmedabad, Varanasi, Chandigarh, Bhopal, Chennai, Kochi, Tripura, Srinagar, Jammu, and Ladakh.

Key Facts about BHARATI Startup Challenge

BHARATI—short for Bharat’s Hub for Agritech, Resilience, Advancement, and Incubation for Export Enablement was launched by the APEDA to encourage innovation and entrepreneurship in the agricultural and processed food export sector.
The initiative aims to support export-ready startups by providing mentorship, market access, and policy facilitation.
The top 10 startups emerging from the challenge will be provided international exposure through participation in Gulfood in Dubai and BIOFACH in Germany, enabling them to explore global market opportunities and strengthen India’s agri-export ecosystem.

Source: HBL

Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) FAQs

Q1: What is APEDA?

Ans: APEDA is a statutory body established to develop and promote the export of agricultural and processed food products from India.

Q2: Under which Act was APEDA established?

Ans: It was established under the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority Act, 1985.

Q3: Which Ministry does APEDA function under?

Ans: It functions under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

Q4: What is the primary objective of APEDA?

Ans: To develop and promote the export of scheduled products.

Q5: Does APEDA provide financial assistance to exporters?

Ans: Yes, APEDA provides financial assistance, information, and guidelines for development of scheduled products.

Opening Monument Conservation to the Private Sector – India’s Shift towards a PPP Model

January 9, 2026

Monument Conservation Latest News

In a significant policy shift, the Government of India is set to allow private sector participation in the core conservation of protected monuments, a domain hitherto monopolised by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).
This move aims to address capacity constraints, improve efficiency, and mobilise CSR funding for heritage conservation, while retaining regulatory oversight with the ASI.

Key Developments

The Ministry of Culture is empanelling private conservation architects and agencies through a Request for Proposal (RFP) process, closing on January 12.
Over 20 private heritage conservation agencies from across the country have applied.
After empanelment, corporate donors contributing via the National Culture Fund (NCF) will be allowed to directly engage conservation agencies of their choice.
The conservation work will be undertaken within ASI-prescribed frameworks and under its overall supervision.

How the New Model Will Work

Eligibility criteria for conservation architects:
- Experience in conservation or restoration of centrally protected monuments under ASI, State Archaeology Departments, CPWD or State PWD.
- Experience in heritage projects of PSUs, municipal corporations, and private palaces or buildings (minimum 100 years old).
Role of donors and agencies:
- Donors provide funds to the NCF under CSR provisions.
- Donors have independence to select empanelled conservation architects.
- Projects must adhere to approved Detailed Project Reports (DPRs), timeframes fixed by donors, and established conservation norms.
- Execution will be carried out by private agencies, under guidance of conservation architects, supervision of ASI or concerned government agencies.

Reasons for the Shift - Limitations of the Existing ASI Model

Monopoly and capacity constraints:
- ASI is responsible for conserving around 3,700 protected monuments.
- It has been the sole agency for preparing DPRs, executing conservation works.
- This led to slow project implementation, delays in utilisation of CSR funds.
Performance of the NCF:
- Established in 1996 with an initial corpus of ₹20 crore, the fund has received ₹140 crore in donations so far.
- It has funded about 100 conservation projects - 70 completed, almost 20 ongoing.
- The corporate donors faced difficulties due to weak compliance timelines.

What is News Compared to Earlier Initiatives

The earlier ‘Adopt a Heritage’ scheme allowed corporates to become Monument Mitras but was limited to tourist amenities (toilets, ticketing, cafes, signage).
For the first time, private donors are being allowed into core conservation work of monuments.
The Ministry has identified 250 monuments requiring conservation. Donors may choose from the list, or propose monuments based on regional or thematic preference (subject to approval).

Global Parallels (Best Practices)

United Kingdom: Churches Conservation Trust with strong private participation.
United States: Active involvement of private organisations and funding in heritage protection.
Germany and Netherlands: Heritage foundations supported by private funding.
These models reflect Public–Private Partnerships (PPP) under strong state regulation.

Challenges and Way Ahead

Risk of commercialisation of heritage: Transparent audits and periodic reviews of projects. Promote community and academic involvement alongside corporates.
Ensuring uniform conservation: Develop clear conservation guidelines and SOPs.
Potential conflicts: Between donor preferences and archaeological integrity.
Need for robust monitoring mechanisms: To prevent dilution of ASI’s authority. Strengthen ASI’s role as a regulator and knowledge authority.
Capacity constraints: Capacity-building and certification of conservation professionals.

Conclusion

Opening monument conservation to the private sector marks a paradigm shift in India’s heritage governance, moving towards a PPP-based, capacity-enhancing model.
While the ASI retains supervisory control, private participation is expected to accelerate conservation, improve fund utilisation, and create a national talent pool in heritage management.
Success, however, will depend on strong regulation, accountability, and adherence to conservation ethics.

Source: IE

Monument Conservation FAQs

Q1: What is the rationale behind allowing private sector participation in the core conservation of protected monuments?

Ans: It aims to address ASI’s capacity constraints, improve efficiency, ensure timely utilisation of CSR funds, etc.

Q2: How does the new monument conservation model balance private participation with state control?

Ans: Private agencies execute conservation through donor funding, while ASI retains regulatory oversight.

Q3: What is the difference between the ‘Adopt a Heritage’ scheme and the new private participation framework?

Ans: ‘Adopt a Heritage’ focused on tourist amenities, whereas the new framework allows private donors to engage in core conservation work.

Q4: What challenges could arise from corporatisation of heritage conservation in India?

Ans: Risks include commercialisation of heritage, uneven conservation standards, donor influence over archaeological integrity, etc.

Q5: How do global practices support India’s move towards a PPP model in heritage conservation?

Ans: Countries like the UK, US, Germany and the Netherlands successfully use private funding and foundations for heritage management.

ISRO’s Space Programme – Building Industrial-Scale Capability

January 9, 2026

Space Programme Latest News

India’s space programme is at a crucial juncture as the national space agency faces the challenge of sustaining high-frequency, complex missions at an industrial scale.

India’s Space Programme: A Phase of Maturity

Over the past decade, India’s space programme has achieved a remarkable breadth of accomplishments despite operating with modest budgets compared to global peers.
Reliable launch services using the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) have become routine, while heavier and more complex missions have been executed using the GSLV and LVM-3 platforms.
Successful lunar landing capabilities, a dedicated solar observatory, and advanced Earth observation collaborations have positioned India among a select group of spacefaring nations.
These achievements reflect a shift from experimental missions to operational reliability.
However, sustained success has also raised expectations, pushing the space programme into a phase where the ability to execute missions consistently and at scale has become as important as technological breakthroughs.

Rising Mission Complexity and Capacity Constraints

As India prepares for upcoming programmes such as human spaceflight, advanced lunar exploration, and next-generation launch vehicles, mission complexity is increasing rapidly.
These programmes demand higher launch frequencies, parallel project execution, and faster turnaround times.
However, the current launch cadence and integration capacity have emerged as structural bottlenecks.
A limited number of launches in recent years has highlighted constraints in testing infrastructure, manufacturing depth, and project scheduling.
When delays or anomalies occur in one mission, they often cascade across unrelated programmes, slowing the overall pace of development.
This challenge underlines the need for greater industrial integration, expanded testing facilities, and a workflow capable of absorbing setbacks without disrupting the entire mission pipeline.

Need for Industrial-Scale Execution

The next phase of India’s space journey requires a transition from mission-centric execution to system-level industrial performance.
This involves separating design, integration, and operational roles more clearly and expanding the industrial supply chain for structures, avionics, and propulsion systems.
An industrial-scale approach would allow routine missions to proceed independently of experimental or research-oriented projects.
It would also reduce dependence on a single institutional bottleneck and enable higher mission throughput.
Such a shift is essential for achieving long-term goals such as reusable launch systems and high-payload capabilities.

Governance Challenges in a Liberalised Space Sector

India’s space sector has undergone liberalisation in recent years, with the creation of new institutions to promote private participation and commercialisation.
While roles have been outlined on paper, practical governance challenges remain.
The absence of a comprehensive national space law has led to ambiguity in authorisation, liability, insurance, and dispute resolution.
As a result, the national space agency often continues to function as a default regulator, technical certifier, and problem-solver, even in areas that should ideally be handled by specialised bodies.
Clear statutory backing for regulatory and commercial institutions would reduce institutional overload and allow the core space agency to focus on frontier technologies and strategic missions.

Competitiveness in a Rapidly Evolving Global Space Economy

Globally, the space sector is shifting towards higher launch frequencies, partial reusability, and rapid satellite manufacturing.
Competitiveness now depends not only on engineering excellence but also on cost efficiency, production depth, and access to capital.
India’s future launch systems are being designed with reusability and heavy-lift capability in mind, reflecting this changing environment.
However, building and operating such systems requires advanced manufacturing ecosystems, robust qualification infrastructure, and sustained investment.
Recent declines in private investment highlight the difficulty of financing long-gestation space hardware projects, underscoring the need for targeted funding mechanisms and long-term policy stability.

Way Forward for India’s Space Programme

The success of India’s space ambitions will depend on whether its institutions can evolve from executing individual landmark missions to functioning as a resilient industrial system.
Engineering capability, regulatory clarity, manufacturing depth, and financial support must mature together.
If this transition is achieved, India will be able to deliver complex missions routinely, strengthen its global competitiveness, and unlock new opportunities in science, security, and commercial space activities.

Source: TH

Space Programme FAQs

Q1: Why is industrial-scale capability important for India’s space programme?

Ans: It enables consistent, high-frequency mission execution without systemic delays.

Q2: What are the main capacity challenges facing India’s space sector?

Ans: Limited launch cadence, testing infrastructure constraints, and supply chain bottlenecks.

Q3: Why is governance reform important in the space sector?

Ans: Clear legal authority reduces institutional overload and improves role clarity.

Q4: How is global competition changing space operations?

Ans: Emphasis has shifted to cost efficiency, reusability, and rapid manufacturing.

Q5: What determines the future success of India’s space ambitions?

Ans: The ability to transition from mission-based achievements to sustained industrial performance.

Trump Pulls US Out of Global Bodies: How US Exit from Global Bodies Reshapes World Order

January 9, 2026

US Exit from Global Bodies Latest News

President Donald Trump has ordered the United States to withdraw from 66 international organisations, including several UN agencies and the International Solar Alliance led by India and France.
Calling these bodies “redundant” and contrary to US interests, Trump directed immediate action through a formal memorandum to all federal agencies.
India’s assessment is that the immediate fallout will be reduced funding and weakened leadership across these institutions, from the World Health Organization to UNESCO.
The resulting vacuum is expected to create space for China, which has the resources and institutional capacity to expand its influence within global governance structures.

Why the US Is Pulling Out of International Organisations

Trump’s Core Argument: Cost Without Control - Since beginning his second term, Donald Trump has argued that the United States contributes disproportionately to global organisations while having limited influence over their agenda.
- He describes this as “globalist” and misaligned with US interests.
Allegations of Pro-China Bias - Trump has repeatedly accused international bodies of favouring China, despite Washington being the largest or among the largest financial contributors. He claims US funding indirectly supports institutions that shield or empower Beijing.
The WHO Exit as a Precedent - This reasoning underpinned the US withdrawal from the World Health Organization in January 2025. The US cited WHO’s failure to reform and its alleged inability to remain independent of political influence from member states.
Funding Disparities Highlighted - The US pointed to payment imbalances, noting that China—despite having over three times the US population—contributes nearly 90% less to the WHO, reinforcing Trump’s view that the burden-sharing system is unfair.
Broader Policy Direction - The WHO exit set the template for a wider retreat from international organisations, reflecting Trump’s preference for unilateral action and transactional global engagement over multilateral governance.

US Exit from the Global Climate Framework

President Donald Trump’s memo lists the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) among bodies the US will exit.
- The UNFCCC underpins global climate cooperation and led to later accords such as the Paris Agreement.
The US would be the first country to leave the UNFCCC, forfeiting influence over negotiations that shape major economic policy and opportunities.
The move follows a broader retreat: last year, the United States skipped the UN’s annual climate summit for the first time in nearly 30 years, signalling reduced engagement in multilateral climate action.

Withdrawal from UN Women and UNFPA

The US will also exit UN Women and the UN Population Fund (UNFPA), which supports family planning and maternal and child health in over 150 countries. US funding for UNFPA was cut last year.

Funding Cuts and UN Impact

Exiting these bodies entails further funding reductions.
President Trump has already curtailed most voluntary US contributions, diminishing both American involvement and financial support across the United Nations system.

How Trump Seeks to Project Power Outside Global Institutions

Tariffs and Military Power as Primary Tools - Despite withdrawing from major international organisations, President Donald Trump is unlikely to step back from global influence. His administration continues to rely on tariff threats and military power as key instruments.
- In 2025 alone, the US carried out military actions in Syria, Iraq, Nigeria, Somalia, Yemen, and Iran, signalling readiness to use force when deemed necessary.
Selective Multilateral Engagement - US officials have indicated that a complete withdrawal from the United Nations is unlikely. Washington wants to remain part of forums that set global standards, especially because China holds veto power at the UN. Staying engaged allows the US to counter Chinese influence from within.
Strategic Retention of Key Bodies - Trump is expected to maintain ties with technical and regulatory bodies such as the International Telecommunication Union, International Maritime Organization, and International Labour Organization, where standards shape global commerce and technology—and where rivalry with China is intense.
Diplomacy Backed by Force - Diplomacy is preferred, but military action remains an option—citing Venezuela’s Nicolás Maduro as an example where diplomacy failed.
NATO and Strategic Posturing - Trump’s push to acquire Greenland has raised concerns within NATO, but he has insisted the US will remain committed to the alliance.
- His broader message underscores a belief that US power—economic and military—remains the ultimate guarantor of influence, even as institutional engagement narrows.

Source: IE | IE | TH

US Exit from Global Bodies FAQs

Q1: Why did Trump order a US exit from global bodies?

Ans: The US exit from global bodies reflects Trump’s belief that America pays disproportionately while multilateral institutions pursue agendas misaligned with US interests.

Q2: Which major organisations are affected by the US exit from global bodies?

Ans: The US exit from global bodies includes WHO, UNESCO, UNFCCC, UN Women, UNFPA, and the International Solar Alliance led by India and France.

Q3: How does the US exit from global bodies affect the UN system?

Ans: The US exit from global bodies reduces funding and leadership capacity, creating institutional gaps and weakening global governance mechanisms across health, climate, and development.

Q4: Why is China expected to benefit from the US exit from global bodies?

Ans: China may benefit as the US exit from global bodies creates leadership and funding vacuums that Beijing can fill using its financial resources and diplomatic influence.

Q5: Can the US still exert global power despite the US exit from global bodies?

Ans: Yes, despite the US exit from global bodies, Washington continues using tariffs, military power, and selective participation in strategic institutions to shape global outcomes.

Gadgil Report on Western Ghats: Why the Gadgil Report Still Shapes Environmental Debate

January 9, 2026

Gadgil Report Latest News

Eminent ecologist Madhav Gadgil passed away at 83 in Pune, leaving behind a lasting environmental legacy.
Among his many contributions, his role as chair of the Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel (WGEEP) remains the most influential.
Although the panel’s report was rejected by the then government, Gadgil consistently advocated for safeguarding the fragile Western Ghats from unregulated development.
Years on, the report’s warnings and recommendations continue to resurface in public debate, especially after landslides and ecological disasters in the region, underscoring its enduring relevance.

A Prescription for Protecting the Western Ghats

The Western Ghats stretch from Gujarat to Kerala and Tamil Nadu and act as the water tower of peninsular India.
Major rivers like the Cauvery, Godavari, Krishna, Periyar and Netravathi originate here.
The region is a global biodiversity hotspot with high endemism, hosting species found nowhere else.

Why the WGEEP Was Set Up

In March 2010, the Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel (WGEEP) was constituted due to the region’s ecological sensitivity, complex geography and growing threats from climate change and unregulated development.
The panel’s formation was triggered by a 2010 meeting of the Save Western Ghats movement in the Nilgiris, attended by then Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh. The deliberations led to the creation of WGEEP.
The panel was tasked with:
- assessing the ecology of the Western Ghats, identifying ecologically sensitive areas,
- recommending ecologically sensitive zones, and
- proposing conservation, rejuvenation and governance mechanisms for sustainable development.

Recommendations of the Gadgil Panel

Entire Western Ghats as Ecologically Sensitive - The Gadgil-led panel designated the entire 1,29,037 sq km of the Western Ghats as an Ecologically Sensitive Area (ESA), reflecting the region’s overall ecological fragility.
Three-Tier Sensitivity Zoning - The Ghats were divided into three categories — ESZ 1, ESZ 2 and ESZ 3 — based on levels of ecological sensitivity, with stricter controls in the more fragile zones.
Restrictions on Development Activities - The panel proposed banning genetically modified crops, new special economic zones and new hill stations across ESZs.
- It called for no new mining licences and the phase-out of existing mines within five years in ESZ 1 and 2, and a complete ban on new quarrying in ESZ 1.
Limits on Infrastructure Expansion - New railway lines and major roads were to be avoided in ESZ 1 and 2, except where absolutely essential, to minimise ecological disruption.
Creation of a Statutory Authority - The report recommended setting up a 24-member Western Ghats Ecology Authority (WGEA) under the Environment Protection Act to regulate, manage and plan activities across all ecologically sensitive zones in the six Western Ghats States.
Composition of the Authority - The proposed authority was to include domain and resource experts, along with representatives from key nodal ministries, ensuring coordinated, multi-state environmental governance.

Political Opposition to the Gadgil Panel Report

The Gadgil panel submitted its draft report in March 2011 and the final version in August 2011.
The report was not made public and was instead shared with State governments for comments.
- Environmental groups challenged the secrecy through RTI applications.
- After intervention by the Chief Information Commissioner and subsequent court proceedings, the report was finally made public in May 2012.
Gadgil argued that the report promoted inclusive development and recommended placing its proposals before Gram Sabhas to move away from exclusionary models of conservation and growth.

State-Level Resistance

The report faced strong opposition from Kerala and Maharashtra.
Maharashtra objected to the proposed Western Ghats Ecology Authority, calling it a parallel structure to existing institutions.
Kerala argued that declaring large areas as ecologically sensitive would hurt agriculture and livelihoods in districts such as Idukki and Wayanad.
Political leaders and the Catholic Church warned of economic disruption and displacement of local communities.

The Kasturirangan Panel and the Scaled-Down Western Ghats Plan

After widespread opposition to the Gadgil report, the Environment Ministry set up a High-Level Working Group in 2012 under space scientist K. Kasturirangan to review the recommendations.

Key Recommendations of the 2013 Report

The Kasturirangan panel proposed declaring about 56,825 sq km of the Western Ghats as ecologically sensitive.
It supported curbs on mining, polluting industries, thermal power plants, and large townships, but adopted a narrower approach than the Gadgil panel.
Unlike the earlier report, the panel identified specific villages as ecologically sensitive and released state-wise lists, making the proposal more targeted and administratively feasible.

Policy Deadlock Continues

Based on the report, the Centre has issued six draft ESA notifications, the latest in August 2024.
However, disagreements with States persist, and a committee led by former Director General of Forests Sanjay Kumar is still working to finalise the boundaries.

Source: IE | TH

Gadgil Report FAQs

Q1: What is the Gadgil Report and why is it significant?

Ans: The Gadgil Report is a landmark environmental study that classified the entire Western Ghats as ecologically sensitive, shaping India’s conservation debates despite political rejection.

Q2: Why was the Gadgil Report prepared?

Ans: The Gadgil Report was prepared to assess ecological fragility of the Western Ghats and recommend sustainable development amid rising threats from mining, infrastructure, and climate change.

Q3: What were the key recommendations of the Gadgil Report?

Ans: The Gadgil Report recommended classifying the Western Ghats into sensitivity zones, banning mining and destructive projects, and creating a statutory Western Ghats Ecology Authority.

Q4: Why did States oppose the Gadgil Report?

Ans: States opposed the Gadgil Report fearing restrictions on agriculture, infrastructure, hydropower, and livelihoods, arguing it would harm regional economies and create parallel authorities.

Q5: How does the Gadgil Report remain relevant today?

Ans: The Gadgil Report resurfaces after landslides and floods, as its warnings highlight how ignoring ecological limits worsens disasters in the Western Ghats.

Daily Editorial Analysis 9 January 2026

January 9, 2026

GSDP Share as Criterion for Central-State Transfers

Context

The architecture of fiscal federalism in India is designed around the constitutional obligation of resource sharing between the Union and the States.
Central to this framework are the Finance Commissions (FCs), which periodically determine the share of Union tax revenues devolved to States and the formula used to distribute them.
While the recommendations of fifteen FCs have been implemented, the Sixteenth FC’s report is awaited, and the broader system of transfers has come under scrutiny.

Central Transfers and Fiscal Autonomy

Central transfers take three primary forms: tax devolution, grants-in-aid and Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS).
Over time, concerns have grown that this system has progressively reduced fiscal autonomy for States.
The Goods and Services Tax (GST) curtailed independent revenue-raising powers and created compensation dependencies, while GST rate cuts generated additional revenue shortfalls.
At the same time, CSS expanded in scope, prescribing expenditure patterns and reducing flexibility for State-level prioritisation.
Another contentious issue is the Union’s increasing reliance on cesses and surcharges, which are constitutionally excluded from the divisible pool.
High-performing States also argue that FC recommendations privilege equity over efficiency, with frequent changes in weighting of variables such as population and income distance.
These decisions have contributed to perceptions of arbitrariness, especially given persistent disparities in expenditure needs and fiscal capacity across regions.

Tax Contribution versus Collection

Economically advanced States such as Maharashtra, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu argue that they contribute disproportionately to Union revenues while receiving relatively smaller shares through devolution.
The challenge lies in distinguishing between where taxes are collected and where income is generated.
Direct taxes are often recorded in States where corporate headquarters or high-income individuals file returns, rather than where economic value is actually created.
Multi-State firms, labour mobility and complex inter-State transactions exacerbate this attribution gap.
Examples illustrate these distortions: automobile firms based in Tamil Nadu produce for a national market, yet tax payments may be recorded in other States.
Plantation companies headquartered in Kerala generate profits nationwide, though taxes accrue locally.
These patterns underscore that direct tax collections are not a reliable measure of State-wise contribution.

[my_image src="https://vajiramandravi.com/current-affairs/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/The-Hindu-Image.png" size="full" align="none" width="auto" height="664px" alt="" title="The Hindu Image"]

GSDP as a Proxy for Tax Accrual and The Mismatch

GSDP as a Proxy
- Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) provides a more accurate proxy for assessing the underlying tax base.
- Since GSDP reflects the scale of economic activity and assuming comparable tax administration efficiency across States, a State’s share in national GSDP can approximate its contribution to Union revenues.
- This relationship is especially strong for GST, a destination-based tax whose attribution across States aligns with consumption.
- From 2020–21 to 2024–25, the Union devolved 41 percent of gross tax revenues to States, supplemented through grants and CSS, amounting to ₹75.12 lakh crore.
The Mismatch
- Uttar Pradesh received the largest share (15.81 percent), followed by Bihar (8.65 percent) and West Bengal (6.96 percent).
- However, these States accounted for only 4.6, 0.67 and 3.99 percent of combined direct and GST collections.
- In contrast, Maharashtra contributed 40.3 percent but received just 6.64 percent, while Karnataka and Tamil Nadu contributed 12.65 and 7.61 percent, receiving 3.9 and 4.66 percent respectively. These imbalances have intensified concerns about fairness.
- Correlation patterns further illuminate this mismatch. The Fifteenth FC’s devolution shares correlate strongly with actual transfers but weakly with tax collections.
- GSDP shares correlate strongly with collections and moderately with transfers, indicating that GSDP aligns contribution with redistribution.
- Only Haryana, Karnataka and Maharashtra show GSDP shares below tax shares, due to headquarters clustering.
- Tamil Nadu shows the opposite pattern, reflecting production whose taxes accrue elsewhere.

Potential Reforms and Redistribution Effects

If central transfers were allocated purely on GSDP shares, nine of twenty major States would gain, with Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu benefiting most.
Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Madhya Pradesh would experience the largest reductions.
These changes would be moderate because GSDP shares differ less sharply from tax collection shares than current devolution outcomes.

Conclusion

The debate over India’s central transfers is ultimately a contest between competing principles of federal design: equity, efficiency and legitimacy.
The Indian system prioritises equity through redistribution, benefiting fiscally weaker States but generating dissatisfaction among high-contributing States.
Increasing the weight of GSDP in the formula could better reflect economic contributions, enhance legitimacy and strengthen cooperative federalism without abandoning redistribution.

GSDP Share as Criterion for Central-State Transfers FAQs

Q1. What role do Finance Commissions play in India’s fiscal system?
Ans. Finance Commissions recommend how much of the Union’s tax revenues should be shared with States and how the distribution should occur.

Q2. Why do some States argue that they contribute more than they receive?
Ans. They argue that they generate a higher share of national income and tax revenues but receive smaller shares through central transfers.

Q3. Why are direct tax collection figures considered misleading for judging State contributions?
Ans. They are misleading because taxes are often paid where companies are registered rather than where economic activity occurs.

Q4. How does GSDP function as a proxy for tax accrual?
Ans. GSDP reflects the scale of economic activity within a State and can approximate its underlying tax base.

Q5. What would happen if transfers were based primarily on GSDP shares?
Ans. If transfers were based on GSDP shares, economic leaders like Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu would gain, while large low-income States would lose.

Source: The Hindu

Top Court's Green Governance, Cause for Uncertainty

Context

Over the past decade, the Supreme Court has gone beyond simply checking whether government decisions are lawful and has started issuing detailed, forward-looking directions in major environmental cases.
This has often happened because regulators failed to act properly, forcing the Court to step in.
However, instead of fixing the regulatory process and then withdrawing, the Court has continued to play a supervisory role.
This prolonged involvement blurs the line between judging and regulating, creates uncertainty for governments and regulated industries, and can weaken accountability. The approach, while well-intentioned, needs restraint.
This article highlights how the Court’s growing role in issuing forward-looking environmental directions has blurred the line between judging and governing, creating uncertainty, accountability gaps, and institutional strain.

How Supreme Court Environmental Rulings Have Shifted Over Time

Broad Rules, Later Modified
- In 2022, the Court ordered a minimum 1-km eco-sensitive zone (ESZ) around all protected areas.
- By 2023, it softened this rule, exempting areas where the Environment Ministry had already issued ESZ notifications, after States said a blanket rule was impractical.
Vehicle Bans: From Strict to Flexible
- In 2015, the Court banned registration of large diesel vehicles in Delhi-NCR.
- Less than a year later, it lifted the ban and replaced it with a compensatory charge.
- In 2025, it again began with a broad protection for older vehicles, then narrowed it to apply only to those below BS-IV standards.
Firecracker Restrictions
- The Court followed a similar pattern on firecrackers—sometimes imposing near-total bans due to air pollution, then relaxing them for festivals and “green crackers”, citing enforcement and public order challenges.
Stepping Into the Regulator’s Role
- Weak enforcement, delayed rules, and poor monitoring by authorities often prompted judicial intervention.
- Instead of fixing regulatory failures, the Court frequently took over regulatory decision-making itself.
From Legal Principles to Managing Consequences
- In Vanashakti vs Union of India (2025), the Court initially ruled that post-facto environmental clearances violate core principles.
- Months later, it reversed course, worried about disrupting ongoing projects—showing a shift from legal doctrine to managing practical fallout.
Key Concern
- The pattern reflects a move from judging legality to governing outcomes, where strong principles are announced first and adjusted later—raising questions about consistency and institutional limits.

The Problem of Expertise in Court-Led Environmental Decisions

Relying on Experts — Then Reconsidering
- When the Court issues forward-looking environmental directions, it often depends on expert committees.
- For example, in the Aravalli hills case, the Court adopted a unified definition to regulate mining based on expert findings.
- Soon after, it paused the order and set up a new committee, fearing unintended legal consequences.
- This shows how expert advice is used, questioned, and sometimes reversed.
One-Size-Fits-All Rules Don’t Always Work
- In the eco-sensitive zone (ESZ) issue, a uniform buffer initially appeared decisive.
- But as stakeholders highlighted differences in ecology and feasibility across regions, resistance grew.
- What sounded scientifically sound on paper proved difficult to apply everywhere.
A Push-Pull with Expertise
- The Court uses expert inputs to overcome its own technical limits, but it also challenges or re-evaluates that expertise.
- This back-and-forth is not inherently wrong, but it has led to frequent course corrections and uncertainty.
Early Court Intervention Limits Public Challenge
- A bigger concern is the Court acting like an approving authority too early. As environmental experts note, project developers and governments often approach the Court before statutory regulators finish their review.
- This gives decisions a sense of finality that discourages later challenges.
- When the Court steps in early, it can weaken meaningful scrutiny by other forums.
- Later changes to Court-made rules then reshape who gets heard and what evidence matters—narrowing space for public participation and legal review.

Why Environmental Governance Needs Stability and Clear Roles

Many environmental cases continue under ongoing court supervision, with repeated interim orders and changes. While this makes course correction easy, it often creates uncertainty.
Instead, the Court could take a steadier approach by pushing governments to do their regulatory job properly rather than managing it itself.
This means setting clear limits on when the Court will intervene, demanding time-bound action backed by data and reasons, and focusing on reviewing legality and procedure.
Avoiding broad rules that need quick exceptions would also bring clarity.
Such an approach would create predictable rules for businesses, reduce confusion for governments, and give citizens a clear path to challenge environmental harm.

Top Court's Green Governance, Cause for Uncertainty FAQs

Q1. Why has the Supreme Court expanded its role in environmental cases?

Ans. Regulatory failure, weak enforcement, and delayed state action have pushed the Court to issue managerial directions, moving beyond legality checks into ongoing governance.

Q2. How have Supreme Court environmental rulings evolved over time?

Ans. The Court often announces broad rules first, then narrows or modifies them later due to feasibility, enforcement limits, or economic consequences.

Q3. What problems arise from continuing mandamus in environmental cases?

Ans. Serial interim orders and modifications allow correction but undermine stability, create uncertainty for stakeholders, and blur institutional responsibility.

Q4. How does the Court’s use of expert committees contribute to uncertainty?

Ans. The Court relies on experts but frequently revisits or overturns their advice, leading to policy U-turns and confusion over scientific and legal authority.

Q5. What alternative approach does the article suggest for environmental governance?

Ans. The Court should discipline regulators into action, set clear intervention thresholds, insist on time-bound decisions with data, and focus on reviewing legality and procedure.

Source: TH

Daily Editorial Analysis 9 January 2026 FAQs

Q1: What is editorial analysis?

Ans: Editorial analysis is the critical examination and interpretation of newspaper editorials to extract key insights, arguments, and perspectives relevant to UPSC preparation.

Q2: What is an editorial analyst?

Ans: An editorial analyst is someone who studies and breaks down editorials to highlight their relevance, structure, and usefulness for competitive exams like the UPSC.

Q3: What is an editorial for UPSC?

Ans: For UPSC, an editorial refers to opinion-based articles in reputed newspapers that provide analysis on current affairs, governance, policy, and socio-economic issues.

Q4: What are the sources of UPSC Editorial Analysis?

Ans: Key sources include editorials from The Hindu and Indian Express.

Q5: Can Editorial Analysis help in Mains Answer Writing?

Ans: Yes, editorial analysis enhances content quality, analytical depth, and structure in Mains answer writing.

500% Tariffs on India? Russia Sanctions Bill, Impact on India

January 9, 2026

The U.S. Sanctioning Russia Act 2025 recently cleared a major procedural hurdle and could authorize tariffs of up to 500% on imports from countries that continue to buy Russian oil, including India, China and Brazil, as part of efforts to tighten economic pressure on Moscow amid the Ukraine war.

India has historically sourced around 35-40% of its crude from Russia at steep discounts, and Washington has already doubled tariffs on Indian exports to 50% in 2025 over those purchases.

Sanctioning Russia Act 2025 Background and Provisions

The Sanctioning Russia Act 2025 is a bipartisan legislative initiative of the United States aimed at intensifying economic pressure on Russia amid the ongoing Ukraine conflict. The bill seeks to restrict Russia’s revenue streams, particularly from energy exports, which remain a major source of funding for its war efforts.

Provisions of the bill include:

Authorization to impose extreme punitive tariffs on countries importing Russian crude oil, gas, and petroleum products.
Expansion of secondary sanctions, penalizing third-party nations rather than Russia alone.
Increased executive powers to enforce trade restrictions without lengthy congressional approvals.
Strategic objective of isolating Russia economically by disrupting its global energy trade network.

Read About: India Russia Relations

Implications for India-U.S. Trade and Economic Relations

India-U.S. trade relations have grown steadily, with the U.S. being one of India’s largest export destinations. However, the threat of 500% tariffs introduces serious uncertainty into this partnership. Economic implications for India include:

Reduced competitiveness of Indian exports in the U.S. market.
Potential impact on key sectors such as textiles, pharmaceuticals, engineering goods, and gems & jewellery.
Disruption of long-term trade contracts and investor confidence.

India’s Energy Security and Dependence on Russian Crude Oil

India’s growing energy demand makes affordable and stable oil supplies a national priority. Russian crude has played a crucial role in this context, particularly due to discounted prices following Western sanctions.

Reasons for India’s continued oil imports from Russia:

Cost advantage helping control domestic inflation.
Energy diversification to reduce dependence on West Asian suppliers.
Long-term supply security amid global market volatility.

Challenges arising from sanctions pressure:

Risk of higher fuel prices if Russian imports are curtailed.
Increased import bill affecting fiscal stability.
Difficulty in rapidly shifting to alternative suppliers without price shocks.

Geopolitical Dimensions

The proposed tariffs place India at the center of a broader geopolitical dilemma. As a country committed to strategic autonomy, India has traditionally avoided aligning fully with any single power bloc.

Key geopolitical considerations include:

Balancing relations with the U.S., Russia, and other global partners.
Resisting external pressure that undermines sovereign decision-making.
Preserving independent foreign policy choices in a multipolar world.

Read About: India-US Relations

Way Forward

Pursue sustained diplomatic negotiations with the U.S. to seek exemptions or phased implementation, highlighting that India currently imports over 85% of its crude oil and requires affordable supplies to manage inflation and growth.
Reduce over-dependence on Russian crude, which has accounted for around 35–40% of India’s oil imports at peak levels, by gradually increasing sourcing from West Asia, Africa, and the Americas.
Strengthen strategic petroleum reserves and buffering mechanisms, as a sudden shift away from discounted Russian oil could raise India’s annual import bill by USD 9–11 billion, impacting the fiscal balance.
Accelerate renewable energy expansion and alternative fuels, given India’s commitment to achieve 500 GW of non-fossil fuel capacity by 2030, reducing long-term exposure to geopolitical energy shocks.

Sanctioning Russia Act 2025 FAQs

Q1: What is the Sanctioning Russia Act 2025?

Ans: What is the Sanctioning Russia Act 2025?

Q2: Why was this Act introduced?

Ans: The Act was introduced to further constrain Russia’s ability to finance its war efforts and to discourage global trade in Russian energy following the Ukraine conflict.

Q3: What are its key provisions?

Ans: The Act allows the U.S. government to impose punitive measures, including steep tariffs, on countries that purchase significant volumes of Russian energy.

Q4: What does the proposed “500% tariff” mean?

Ans: The Act authorizes tariffs up to 500% on imports from countries that defy U.S. sanctions by continuing to buy Russian crude oil.

Q5: Which countries could be impacted?

Ans: Major energy importers like India, China, and Brazil, which have continued to import Russian oil despite Western sanctions, could face higher tariffs under this provision.