News of The Day : 15th January 2026

News of The Day – 15th Jan 2026

The Hindu, Indian Express, Live Mint, Business Standard, Economic Times, PIB and AIR, etc

(with Syllabus Relevance)

• About Section 17A of Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 (inserted in 2018)
  • Mandates prior approval from competent authority before inquiry/investigation against public servants for official acts/decisions.
• Split verdict by Justices
  • B.V. Nagarathna (held unconstitutional, violates Article 14 & anti-corruption objectives) 
  • K.V. Viswanathan (upheld as valid, protects honest officers
• Significance: Balances probity in public life with administrative efficiency
• Impacts CBI/anti-corruption mechanisms.

(GS-2: Polity and Governance)

• SC directs Centre/states to frame binding rules (not just guidelines/SOPs) under RTE Act, 2009 for Section 12(1)(c)
  • 25% free seats in private unaided non-minority schools for EWS/DG children.
• SC Calls it a “national mission” for equality (Article 21A).
  • Mandates timelines for funds, monitoring, training to prevent bias.
• Significance: Enhances inclusive education; treats as precedent for effective implementation.

• About Henley Passport Index 2026
• Singapore tops (192 visa-free); Japan/South Korea joint 2nd (188).
• India improves 5 spots to 80th 
  • (55 visa-free/visa-on-arrival/ETA destinations).
• Significance: Measures global mobility; highlights India’s improving passport power.

(GS-2: IR )

• About Responsible Nations Index
• Evaluates 154+ countries on ethical responsibility (citizens, global community, environment) beyond GDP.
• Significance: Shifts global metrics to ethics & sustainability; aligns with Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam.

• RBI issued a discussion paper after a 20+ year pause (since 2004) due to past failures of small UCBs.
• Proposes licensing only large co-operative credit societies (min. ₹300 crore capital, 10+ years track record, strong CRAR/NNPA).
• Aims to boost financial inclusion, MSME credit in urban/semi-urban areas.
• Significance: Strengthens cooperative banking while mitigating risks.
• About urban co-operative banks (UCBs) and their regulations.

(GS-3: Economy)

• Key reforms needed to achieve India’s 2047 Vision 
  • Enhance productivity (labour & capital), boost investment (infrastructure & manufacturing)
  • Improve education/skills, strengthen governance/institutions.
• Emphasizes structural changes for Viksit Bharat@2047 amid global uncertainties.
• Significance: Roadmap for sustained high growth & middle-income trap avoidance.

(GS-3: Economy)

• 15-member high-level committee (chaired by Dr. M.S. Sahoo) to frame regulations for assured/structured payouts in NPS (market-linked but with predictability).
• About Framework for Assured Payouts under National Pension System (NPS)
  • Aims for retirement security without full exit.
• Significance: Enhances NPS appeal; complements UPS/APY for predictable pensions.

(GS-3: Economy)

• Trump’s tariffs diverted Chinese exports globally
  • China’s 2025 trade surplus hit a record ~$1.2 trillion..
• Implications for India: Trade opportunities & risks in supply chains.
• Significance: Highlights protectionism effects & multipolar trade shifts.

(GS-3: Environment )

• 16th IRENA Assembly (Jan 11–12, Abu Dhabi) 
• Theme “Powering Humanity: Renewable Energy for Shared Prosperity”.
• Significance: Sets global cooperation priorities post-COP; India active in renewables push.

• About International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA )

(GS 3: Science and tech)

• About Ultra Cold Atoms
• Features and Potential Applications.