News of The Day : 24th January 2026

News of The Day – 24th Jan 2026

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

(with Syllabus Relevance)

• White Paper proposes a “techno-legal” framework for AI governance, balancing innovation with risk management and ethical use.
  • Outlines institutional mechanisms for a safe, trusted, and accountable AI ecosystem.
  • Emphasizes India’s pro-innovation approach, focusing on sectors like agriculture, healthcare, and governance.
• Aligns with India’s sovereign AI models and global AI safety frameworks.
• About India AI Mission.

• Key discussions on geopolitics, AI impact on jobs, economic fragmentation, climate finance, and India’s semiconductor/AI push.
• India highlighted its semiconductor roadmap (four plants starting production in 2026) and AI sovereignty.
• Emphasis on global cooperation amid U.S. tariff concerns and FDI attraction in a fragmented world.
• Highlights India’s long-term growth story and role in global forums.

(GS-2: International Relations)

• What is a Shadow Fleet ?
• U.S. sanctions target Iranian oil tankers (‘shadow fleet’) for evading restrictions and funding crackdown on protests.
• Impacts global energy security and Iran’s economy.

(GS-3:  Economy)

• Report ‘India’s Space Odyssey’ projects India’s space economy to reach $40 billion by 2030, growing twice as fast as the global average.
• Driven by private sector investments, policy reforms (e.g., IN-SPACe), and structural shifts. * India is expected to account for a quarter of global private space launches.
• Supports Atmanirbhar Bharat in space tech and economic growth.

(GS-3: Economy)

• About Liberalised Remittances Scheme (LRS) 
• Key Achievement
  • Outward remittances under LRS fell to two-year low ($1.94 billion) in November 2025
  • Education remittances declined 16% in FY25
• LRS allows up to $250,000 per FY for residents
• Recent TCS relief in Budget 2026 discussed.

• About State of Finance for Nature 2026
• Key Findings:
  • Harmful investments outpace nature protection by 30:1
  • $7.3 trillion harmful vs. $220 billion for nature-based solutions in 2023.
• Introduces Nature Transition X-Curve framework to phase out harmful subsidies and scale positive finance.
• Urges shift to nature-positive investments for climate resilience and biodiversity (links to SDG 13, 14, 15).
• Highlights governance failures and need for trillions in additional finance.

• Forest fires have been raging since January 20, 2026, in Sikkim’s Pangolakha Wildlife Sanctuary near the Indo-China border.
• About Pangolakha Wildlife Sanctuary
• Biodiversity hotspot with strategic location; highlights climate vulnerability and fire risks in Himalayas.

(GS-3: Environment)

• About Invasive red-eared sliders Turtles 
• Released from pet trade; compete with indigenous turtles and disrupt ecosystems. * Assessment in Kerala highlights invasion risk via pet trade.
• Calls for regulation under Wildlife Protection Act and awareness to prevent biodiversity loss.

(GS-3:Science & Technology)

• About Advanced Chemistry Cell Production Linked Incentive (ACC-PLI) scheme 
  • Outlay ₹18,100 crore
• Focuses on EV batteries, energy storage, and reducing import dependence.
• Challenges in delivery
  • Scheme (launched 2021) aims for 50 GWh ACC battery capacity; only 2.8% achieved so far.
• Supports India’s net-zero goals and green mobility.

(GS-3: Science & Technology)

• Kerala declares Bacillus subtilis as State Microbe (first in India).
• Aims to promote beneficial microbes in agriculture, health, and environment.
• Establishes Centre of Excellence in Microbiome for research and innovation.
• About  Bacillus subtilis.

• First humanoid robot deployed at Visakhapatnam Railway Station by East Coast Railway.
• About Humanoid Robot ‘ASC ARJUN’
  • Assists in passenger interaction, crowd monitoring, security, multilingual announcements, and cleanliness.
• Developed locally; enhances safety and efficiency in railways.