Indian Polity and Governance
CAG-ICSSR Colloquium on State Finances and Urban Governance:
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- Context: On 23 January, a colloquium on state finances and urban governance was jointly organised by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) and Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR) in Mumbai.
- The event aimed to promote informed discussion between auditors, academics, and students.
- Focus areas were state finances in Maharashtra and urban local body governance challenges.
- Emphasised fiscal management, governance accountability and audit insights.
- Included CAG officials and ICSSR scholars.
- A research article competition was held to encourage scholarship.
- The colloquium supports transparency and public understanding of finance issues.
(PIB)
International Developments
India Sends Humanitarian Aid to Afghanistan:
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- Context: On 23 January 2026, the Government of India sent 7.5 tonnes of life-saving cancer medicines to Kabul as part of its ongoing humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan.
- India dispatched 7.5 tonnes of cancer medicines to Afghanistan, addressing critical drug shortages there.
- The aid is part of India’s humanitarian outreach programme to support basic health needs in Afghanistan.
- Afghanistan has limited oncology infrastructure and imports most medicines.
- Previous Indian assistance included food grains, vaccines, and medical equipment.
- The move underscores India’s neighbourhood policy prioritising people-to-people support.
- Helps enhance bilateral goodwill and soft-power diplomacy in South Asia.
- Aligns with India’s global commitment to health aid and SDG-3 (Good Health and Well-Being).
(TH)
Economy
3rd Meeting of the Inland Waterways Development Council (IWDC 3.0):
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- Context: The third meeting of the Inland Waterways Development Council (IWDC 3.0) concluded in Kochi, Kerala, with a roadmap to enhance India’s inland waterways network and infrastructure.
- IWDC 3.0 aimed at expanding inland water transport infrastructure for economic growth.
- Emphasis on developing national waterways for freight and passenger movement.
- The meeting highlighted major investments and Centre-State coordination.
- Improved waterways can reduce logistics costs and carbon footprint.
- Focus on integrating waterways with other transport systems.
- Project planning includes dredging, ports, and vessel infrastructure.
- Waterways development aligns with Sagarmala and other logistics reforms.
(PIB)
Cabinet Approves Wage & Pension Revisions for PSGICs, NABARD, RBI:
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- Context: The central government approved wage and pension revisions for employees of Public Sector General Insurance Companies (PSGICs), NABARD, and the Reserve Bank of India on 23 January 2026.
- Revision applies to employees and pensioners of PSGICs, NABARD, and RBI.
- PSGIC wage revision effective from 1 August 2022 with significant increases in basic pay and allowances.
- Government’s share in National Pension System (NPS) contributions increased from 10% to 14% for employees joining after 1 April 2010.
- RBI pension and family pension increased by 10%, effective from 1 November 2022.
- Total financial impact includes ₹8,170.30 crore for PSGICs and ₹2,696.82 crore for RBI pensions.
- Revision aims to support employees and strengthen financial sector morale.
(TH)
Geography, Mapping, Ecology & Environment
Strategic Diversification of NMDC – Coal Mining in Tokisud North:
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- Context: On 23 January, NMDC Ltd. inaugurated coal mining operations at Tokisud North in Jharkhand, marking its strategic diversification beyond iron ore.
- NMDC’s entry into coal mining is a major strategic expansion from its core iron-ore business.
- The Tokisud North Coal Mine is located in Hazaribagh district, Jharkhand.
- Coal production will help augment domestic coal availability, supporting energy and industrial sectors.
- This diversification aligns with national priorities on resource security and economic resilience.
- The project contributes to regional economic development via employment and infrastructure.
- NMDC already has a strong presence in iron ore, diamond, and gold projects; coal adds to its portfolio.
- The move supports the larger Viksit Bharat vision by enhancing the mineral sector’s contribution.
- Operational mining involves adherence to safety, environmental, and community standards.
(PIB)
Two-Day Chintan Shivir of Ministry of Power Concludes:
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- Context: The Chintan Shivir 2026 of the Ministry of Power held on 22–23 January concluded with key deliberations on India’s power sector future, including a roadmap to 100 GW Hydro Pumped Storage Projects by 2035–36.
- The Power Ministry organised Chintan Shivir at Parwanoo, Himachal Pradesh.
- Focus on long-term roadmap for the power sector under the vision of Viksit Bharat @2047.
- A report was released on developing 100 GW Hydro Pumped Storage Projects (PSPs) by 2035–36.
- The event included stakeholders from government, regulators, industry, and academia.
- Indian power sector’s challenges and opportunities for sustainability were discussed.
- 14th Integrated Rating and Ranking Report for Power Distribution Utilities was released.
- PSPs support grid balancing and integration of renewable energy.
- Clean, reliable power is central to India’s economic growth and development.
(PIB)
Rajasthan to Build NCR’s First Biological Park in Alwar:
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- Context: Rajasthan announced the development of a new biological park near Alwar in NCR, a major initiative for wildlife conservation and eco-tourism.
- The park to be developed near Kati Ghati and Jaisamand covering ~100 hectares.
- Will house 400+ wild animals across 81 species.
- It will include lion safari, tiger safari, and herbivore safari.
- Modern wildlife rescue and veterinary facilities planned.
- A butterfly park and eco-tourism infrastructure will be developed.
- Aims to boost biodiversity conservation and public awareness.
- Enhances the NCR wildlife tourism offering.
(PIB)
Science & Technology
National Health Authority – Federated Intelligence Hackathon for Healthcare:
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- Context: On 23 January, the National Health Authority (NHA) in collaboration with research institutions organised a Federated Intelligence Hackathon on Healthcare at IIT Kanpur to develop AI solutions for health systems.
- The hackathon is a federated intelligence-driven challenge focusing on secure, scalable AI solutions in healthcare.
- Key partners include ICMR-National Institute for Research in Digital Health and Data Science and IIT Kanpur.
- Hackathon Week (19–23 Jan 2026) included intensive tech development, mentoring, and evaluations.
- Participants included policymakers, clinicians, start-ups, researchers, and industry experts.
- Focus areas: data handling, regulation, clinical readiness of AI, and ethical deployment.
- The initiative aligns with India’s vision for AI-powered public services and digital health ecosystem.
- Federated AI ensures privacy-preserving collaboration across institutions.
- Outcomes aim to enhance healthcare accessibility, efficiency, and data-driven decision making.
(PIB)
Government Schemes and initiatives
MSDE-WEF India Skills Accelerator MoU:
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- Context: On 23 January 2026, the Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship (MSDE) signed an MoU with the World Economic Forum (WEF) to launch the India Skills Accelerator, aimed at enhancing India’s skilling ecosystem in emerging sectors.
- MoU signed between MSDE and WEF to create the India Skills Accelerator.
- Focus on strengthening Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) links with industry needs.
- Priority sectors include AI, robotics, green energy, cybersecurity, advanced manufacturing.
- Initiative aligns with NEP 2020 vision of future-ready workforce development.
- Catalyst for public-private partnerships in skill development.
- Aims to bridge skill gaps in high-growth technology areas.
- India Skills Accelerator could bolster employment opportunities.
(PIB)
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