January 2026

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Most Important National Issues

Economic & Policy

• India added a record 52.5 GW power capacity in FY 2025-26 up to January — the highest ever, signalling stronger energy security and infrastructure expansion.

• The Economic Survey 2025-26 noted a structural shift in pharmaceuticals from volume-based to innovation-driven growth.

• RBI issued Foreign Exchange Management (Guarantees) Regulations, 2026 to improve transparency in cross-border guarantees.

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Government Schemes & Social Policy

• District-Led Textiles Transformation (DLTT): Launched in January 2026, this initiative aims to promote inclusive growth by focusing on unique district strengths in the textiles sector.
• Draft Social Security Code rules propose welfare coverage for gig and platform workers, a significant step towards formalizing the gig economy.
• Aame Padhiba Aama Bhasare (We Will Study in Our Own Language): The Odisha government launched this 5-year scheme in January 2026 to provide early childhood education in children's mother tongues.
  • Target: Children aged 3–6 years.
  • Focus: Tribal languages (Munda, Kui, Saura, etc.) in six districts to enhance learning.

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Defence & Security

• Defence Ministry signed contracts worth ₹4,666 crore for carbines and heavyweight torpedoes to modernise forces.
• Indian Army conducted Exercise "Sanjha Shakti" to strengthen military-civil coordination during emergencies.
• Operation "Gang Bust": A massive, coordinated nationwide crackdown led by the National Investigation Agency (NIA), in collaboration with State Police forces (primarily Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Delhi). The operation was designed to dismantle the rapidly evolving terror-gangster-smuggler nexus that has become a primary internal security concern. 854 people were arrested and illegal arms were seized.

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Science & Technology

• India developed 3D-printed Automatic Weather Stations, significantly improving localized forecasting capabilities.
• India opened its first government hospital-based AI clinic, marking a major step in tech-driven public healthcare.
• Two new frog species were discovered in the eastern Himalaya biodiversity hotspot, highlighting ecological richness.

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Governance & Legal

• New fiscal levies on tobacco and pan masala will replace the earlier compensation cess structure.
• A dispute in Kotdwar, Uttarakhand led to FIRs and an SIT after protests over a shop name.

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International Relations

• India launched the official website and logo for BRICS Presidency 2026, signalling its leadership in global cooperation.
• After nearly two decades of talks, India-EU Free Trade Agreement progress was announced with proposed tariff reductions on over 90% of goods.

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Economy & Data (Very Important)

• First Advance Estimates projected 7.4% real GDP growth for FY 2025-26, higher than 6.5% in FY 2024-25.

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Culture & Events

• Mathrubhumi International Festival of Letters 2026 scheduled from Jan 29 – Feb 1 in Thiruvananthapuram with theme "Paradox of Pace."
• Tamil Nadu approved the first Jallikattu event of 2026, marking the start of the bull-taming season.

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Quick Revision (Most Probable Questions)

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OSSSC Strategy (Newspaper-Based)

For OSSSC, prioritize:

Tier-1 (Very High Probability):

• Odisha schemes
• Economy data
• Defence exercises
• Environment discoveries

Tier-2:

• International agreements
• Regulatory changes

Tier-3:

• Local controversies / festivals