Daily Current Affairs (DCA) 21 January, 2026

Daily Current Affairs Quiz
21 January, 2026

International Affairs

1. UNESCO Media and Information Literacy (MIL) Alliance

Why in News?

The UNESCO Media and Information Literacy (MIL) Alliance has announced the election of its first-ever Global Board, marking a significant milestone in strengthening its institutional governance and global coordination.

What is the UNESCO MIL Alliance?

• The MIL Alliance is a global collaborative network coordinated by UNESCO.
• It brings together organisations, institutions, and experts to:
  • Promote media and information literacy (MIL)
  • Counter disinformation, misinformation, and hate speech
  • Strengthen democratic participation and informed citizenship

Launch & Evolution

• Launched in:2013
  • At the Global Forum for Partnerships on MIL, Abuja, Nigeria
• Relaunched in:2025
  • During Global MIL Week
  • With the Cartagena Declaration
  • Accompanied by a renewed Strategic Action Plan

Organisations Involved

• Coordinated by: UNESCO (through its MIL Unit)
• Network strength:
  • 300+ organisations
  • 180 individual experts
  • Representation from 100+ countries

Objectives

• Build societal resilience against:
  • Disinformation
  • Misinformation
  • Hate speech
• Enable the MIL community to:
  • Shape policies and practices
  • Influence decision-making at global, regional, and national levels

National Affairs

1. Reusable Rockets

Source: TH

Why in News?

The global space industry is moving decisively towards rocket reusability as SpaceX’s Starship prepares for full-scale commercial operations, while Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) advances towards its Orbital Return Flight Experiment (OREX). These efforts aim to reduce launch costs by up to 80%, redefining access to space.

What are Reusable Rockets?

• Reusable rockets are launch vehicles designed to return safely to Earth after launch.
• Costly components such as engines, avionics, and structures are refurbished and reused.
• This shifts spaceflight from a disposable model to a transportation model, similar to commercial aviation, enabling multiple flights of the same hardware.

Why Rockets Have Multiple Stages

• Weight reduction: Empty fuel tanks become dead weight
• Efficiency: Smaller mass accelerates faster
• Reusability shift:
  • Earlier: stages discarded
  • Now: stages guided back to Earth (land/sea)

Global Leaders vs India (Status by 2026)

Feature	Global Leaders (SpaceX / Blue Origin)	India (ISRO)
Recovery Method	Vertical Take-off & Vertical Landing (VTVL)	Winged RLV + Retro-propulsion
Reuse Record	Falcon 9 reused 30+ times	Experimental stage
Main Vehicle	Falcon 9, Starship	Pushpak (RLV-TD), NGLV
Strategic Focus	Commercial dominance, Mars	Strategic autonomy, space station

2. Lok Sabha to Launch Digital Attendance System

Source: TNIE

Why in News?

The Lok Sabha will introduce a digital attendance system from the Budget Session 2026 to ensure the physical presence of Members of Parliament (MPs) inside the House during sittings.

What is the Digital Attendance System?

• A seat-based biometric attendance mechanism for MPs.
• Replaces the earlier lobby register system, where attendance was marked outside the House.
• Attendance can be recorded only from the MP’s designated seat inside the Lok Sabha chamber.

Announced By

• Om Birla, Speaker of the Lok Sabha

Objectives

• Ensure actual physical presence of MPs during proceedings
• Improve transparency, discipline, and productivity of Parliament
• Strictly link daily allowance to attendance inside the House
• Discourage token attendance and absenteeism

How the System Works

• Each MP’s seat is fitted with a digital console
• Attendance marked through biometric thumb authentication
• Attendance can be recorded only while the House is in session
• Once the House is adjourned (normal or due to disruptions), the system is locked
• Failure to mark attendance leads to forfeiture of daily allowance and related entitlements

3. Internet Governance Internship & Capacity Building Scheme (IGICBS)

Source: PIB

Why in News?

The National Internet Exchange of India (NIXI) has completed one year of the Internet Governance Internship & Capacity Building Scheme (IGICBS) and marked the milestone with a national-level event in New Delhi.

What is IGICBS?

• IGICBS is a national internship and capacity-building programme aimed at training Indian youth in internet governance.
• It enables informed participation in national and global internet policy, standards-setting, and technical forums.

Launch & Institutional Framework

• Launched in: 2025
• Completed one year: January 2026
• Nodal implementing agency: NIXI
• Administrative ministry: Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY)

Objectives

• Build a skilled talent pool in internet governance
• Strengthen India’s voice in global internet decision-making bodies
• Promote a safe, inclusive, resilient, and trustworthy internet ecosystem

4. Artemis II Mission

Source: TOI

Context:

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has set February 6 as the target launch date for Artemis II, the first crewed lunar mission in over five decades, marking humanity’s return to crewed deep-space exploration since 1972.

What is Artemis II?

• Artemis II is NASA’s first crewed mission under the Artemis programme.
• It involves a lunar flyby mission (no landing), sending astronauts around the Moon aboard the Orion spacecraft.
• Purpose: to test deep-space systems with astronauts onboard before attempting a lunar landing.

Organisations Involved

• National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) – Lead agency
• Canadian Space Agency (CSA) – International partner

Objectives

• Validate human-rated deep-space systems under real mission conditions
• Prepare for Artemis III lunar landing
• Lay the foundation for future human missions to Mars
• Establish a sustained human presence beyond Earth orbit

5. Young Ambassadors of Change Initiative

Source: TOI

Context:

A government school in Tiruchirappalli (Trichy), Tamil Nadu, has launched an innovative value-education programme to inculcate moral values and social responsibility among children through daily practice rather than rote learning.

What is the Young Ambassadors of Change Initiative?

• A school-based value education initiative launched at the Government Aadi Dravidar Primary School, Kattur.
• Objective: To nurture core moral, civic, and social values in children using experiential and community-linked learning.

6. Two New Rare Ant Fly Species Discovered

Source: TH

Context:

Researchers have discovered two new, extremely rare ant fly species from Delhi and the Western Ghats, highlighting the hidden biodiversity of urban forests and recognised biodiversity hotspots.

What are Ant Flies?

• Ant flies belong to the subfamily Microdontinae under the family Syrphidae.
• They are known for myrmecophily:
  • Their larvae live inside ant nests
  • Feed on ant brood
• This highly specialised life cycle makes them:
  • Exceptionally rare
  • Difficult to detect and study

Newly Discovered Species

1. Metadon ghorpadei

• Scientific name: Metadon ghorpadei
• Discovery site: Northern Ridge Forest, Delhi Ridge
• Habitat type: Urban, fragmented, and disturbed forest

Key Features

• Member of Microdontinae with ant-nest–dependent larval stage

2. Metadon reemeri

• Scientific name: Metadon reemeri
• Discovery site: Siruvani Hills, Western Ghats, Tamil Nadu

Key Features

• Exhibits the same specialised ant-associated life cycle
• Belongs to a poorly studied insect group, despite the region’s protected status

7. Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary Notified as Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ)

Source: TOI

Context:

The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has notified the Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary as an Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ) to strengthen conservation efforts in the Aravalli Range.

About Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary

• A protected wildlife reserve known for its dry deciduous forest ecosystem
• Surrounds the historic Kumbhalgarh Fort
• Important habitat within the Aravalli hill system

Location & Extent

• State: Rajasthan
• Districts covered:
  • Rajsamand
  • Udaipur
  • Pali
• Physiographic region: Aravalli Range (western India)
• Total area: ~610.5 sq km
• Includes core and buffer zones

What is an Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ)?

• Eco-Sensitive Zones (ESZs) are areas notified around Protected Areas such as:
  • National Parks
  • Wildlife Sanctuaries
• Purpose: To act as a “shock absorber” or transition zone between fragile ecosystems and areas of high human activity.

Legal Basis

• Notified under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986
• Declared by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC)

8. 28th Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of the Commonwealth (CSPOC)

Source: PIB

Context:

India hosted the 28th Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of the Commonwealth (CSPOC) from January 14–16, 2026, marking the fourth time the country has hosted this prestigious parliamentary forum.

About CSPOC 2026

• Host: Government of India
• Organised by: Parliament of India
• Venue: Central Hall of Samvidhan Sadan, New Delhi
• Chair: Om Birla, Speaker of the Lok Sabha
• India’s earlier hostings: 1970–71, 1986, 2010

Chairmanship Handover

• Chairmanship of 29th CSPOC handed over to:
  • Lindsay Hoyle
  • Speaker of the House of Commons
• Next CSPOC (29th):
  • Location: London, United Kingdom
  • Year: 2028

9. 5th Edition of INS Sagardhwani Flagged Off for Sagar Maitri V (SM-5)

Source: PIB

Why in News?

In January 2026, INS Sagardhwani was flagged off for the 5th edition of the Sagar Maitri initiative (SM-5) from Southern Naval Command, Kochi, strengthening India’s oceanographic cooperation in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).

About Sagar Maitri Programme

Vision

• Aligned with the Government of India’s MAHASAGAR vision
  (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions)

Objective

• Promote:
  • Scientific cooperation
  • Oceanographic research
  • Capacity building
  • Socio-economic engagement
• Enhance Underwater Domain Awareness (UDA) for the Indian Navy

MAITRI Framework

• MAITRI: Marine & Allied Interdisciplinary Training and Research Initiative
• Acts as the scientific pillar for long-term ocean research partnerships
• Encourages professional exchanges and joint studies among IOR nations

Sagar Maitri V (SM-5)

Participating Countries (8 IOR nations)

• Oman
• Maldives
• Sri Lanka
• Thailand
• Malaysia
• Singapore
• Indonesia
• Myanmar

About INS Sagardhwani

• Type: Marine Acoustic Research Ship (MARS)
• Role: Oceanographic and acoustic research
• Ownership & design: DRDO–NPOL
• Operation: Indian Navy
• Built by: Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata
• Commissioned: July 1994

Historical Significance

• Retraces routes of INS Kistna from the International Indian Ocean Expedition (1962–65)

Banking/Finance

1. EPFO 3.0

Source: ET

Context:

The Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) is set to roll out EPFO 3.0, a major digital upgrade involving a new portal, backend software overhaul, and AI-powered language translation, aimed at improving service delivery and accessibility.

What is EPFO 3.0

EPFO 3.0 represents the next phase of digital transformation of provident fund services, moving beyond incremental fixes to a core system overhaul, similar to a banking-style core platform.

Key Features

1. New Integrated Portal
   • Completely revamped, user-friendly interface
   • Faster grievance redressal and claim settlement
   • Unified access to services across EPFO offices nationwide
2. Backend Software Overhaul
   • Introduction of a core-banking-like system
   • Enables members to access services from any EPFO office, irrespective of location
   • Improves data consistency, scalability, and efficiency
3. AI-Powered Language Translation
   • Use of AI tools such as Bhashini
   • Enables services in regional languages
   • Aims to improve accessibility for non-English/Hindi users

Objectives

• Enhance ease of doing business and ease of living
• Improve digital inclusion for workers across regions
• Prepare EPFO systems for future expansion under new labour codes
• Reduce delays and complexity in PF-related services

2. Centre May Amend Sarfaesi Act

Source: BS

Context:

The Union government is considering amendments to the Sarfaesi Act, 2002 to remove legal ambiguities, enhance oversight of the Central Registry, and improve ease of doing business.

Key Institution Involved

• Central Registry of Securitisation Asset Reconstruction and Security Interest of India (CERSAI)
  • Central registry for security interests created over property and assets
  • Helps prevent multiple lending and fraud

What is the SARFAESI Act, 2002?

• A law enacted to empower banks and financial institutions to recover non-performing assets (NPAs) without court intervention.
• Enables lenders to seize, manage, and sell secured assets of defaulting borrowers.

What is the Proposed Amendment

• The Centre plans to explicitly empower itself to issue directions to CERSAI
• This will be done without diluting existing powers of the RBI
• Aims to clarify the Centre’s role in governance and oversight

Present Legal Position

• Section 20 of the Sarfaesi Act, 2002:
  • Authorises the Central Government to set up CERSAI
  • Does not clearly define the Centre’s power to issue directions on its functioning
• This ambiguity has led to:
  • Governance gaps
  • Overlap concerns between the Centre and the Reserve Bank of India (RBI)

What is CERSAI?

• CERSAI is a centralised registry that records details of:
  • Security interests created over property and assets
  • Securitisation and asset reconstruction transactions
• It aims to prevent multiple lending, fraud, and information asymmetry in the financial system.

Legal Basis

• Established under Section 20 of the SARFAESI Act, 2002
• Set up by the Central Government of India

3. RRB Amalgamation

Source: ET

Context:

The Ministry of Finance will hold a high-level review meeting on January 30 to assess the performance of Regional Rural Banks (RRBs) after their latest amalgamation.

What is RRB Amalgamation?

• RRB amalgamation refers to the merger of multiple Regional Rural Banks within a State into a single RRB.
• Implemented under the RRB Act, 1976, with the objective of improving operational efficiency, financial viability, and governance.

Objectives of RRB Amalgamation

• Strengthen capital base and balance sheets
• Reduce operational costs and duplication
• Improve credit delivery to:
  • Agriculture
  • MSMEs
  • Self-Help Groups (SHGs)
• Enhance financial inclusion in rural and semi-urban areas
• Improve governance and risk management

Phases of RRB Amalgamation

Phase-wise Consolidation

• Phase I (2005–2010):
  • RRBs sponsored by the same bank merged within a State
• Phase II (2012–2014):
  • Further consolidation to improve scale and efficiency
• Phase III (2019–2021):
  • One RRB per sponsoring bank per State
• Phase IV (Effective May 1):
  • One RRB per State in most cases
  • Total RRBs reduced to 28

Institutional Framework

• Regulation: Reserve Bank of India (RBI)
• Supervision & Refinancing: National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD)
• Ownership pattern:
  • Central Government – 50%
  • State Government – 15%
  • Sponsor Bank – 35%

4. RBI Recognises FEDAI as Self-Regulatory Organisation (SRO) for Authorised Dealers

Source: BL

Context:

In January 2026, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) recognised the Foreign Exchange Dealers’ Association of India (FEDAI) as a Self-Regulatory Organisation (SRO) for all Authorised Dealers (ADs) under the RBI’s Omnibus Framework for SROs.

Key Details of RBI Recognition

• Recognition Basis:
  • FEDAI’s long-standing role in regulating conduct and practices in the foreign exchange market
• Role as an SRO
  • Frame standards and codes of conduct for Authorised Dealers
  • Promote best practices and ethical behaviour
  • Monitor compliance and market discipline
  • Act as a first-level supervisory body in forex markets
• Omnibus SRO Framework – Objectives
  • Strengthen self-regulation
  • Enhance accountability and consistency
  • Reduce direct regulatory burden on RBI
  • Improve market governance
• Transition Period
  • RBI has granted one year to FEDAI to:
    • Align governance structure
    • Upgrade systems
    • Improve transparency
    • Meet Omnibus SRO requirements

About FEDAI

• Established: 1958
• Headquarters: Mumbai, Maharashtra
• Chairman: Srinivasa Panigrahi
  (CGM – Global Markets, State Bank of India)
• Nature: Apex body of foreign exchange dealers in India

5. Canara Bank Partners with NBSL to Integrate UPI into Canara ai1Pe

Source: BS

Context:

In January 2026, Canara Bank partnered with NPCI BHIM Services Limited (NBSL) to integrate Unified Payments Interface (UPI) technology into its payment application Canara ai1Pe.

Key Details of the Partnership

• Entities involved:
  • Canara Bank
  • NPCI BHIM Services Limited (NBSL)
• Parent organisation of NBSL:
  • National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI)

What is the Integration About?

• NBSL’s plugin-based UPI solution has been integrated into Canara ai1Pe
• Enables:
  • Secure
  • Compliant
  • Scalable
    UPI-based digital payments
• Available for:
  • Canara Bank customers
  • Non-customers as well

About NBSL’s Plugin-Based UPI Model

• Acts as a technology layer plugged into a bank’s existing app
• Ensures:
  • Faster feature rollouts
  • Regulatory compliance
  • Uniform UPI experience
• Aligns with NPCI’s vision of standardised, secure, and scalable digital payments

Facts To Remember

1. Govt may remove small-car exception in CAFE-3 norms

The Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) is considering removing the special exemption for very small petrol cars in the final notification of Corporate Average Fuel Efficiency Phase-3 (CAFE-3) norms.

• What are CAFE Norms
  • India is moving towards CAFE-3, applicable from 2027 onwards.
  • CAFE norms regulate average CO₂ emissions of vehicles sold by an automobile manufacturer.
  • Targets are fleet-based, not vehicle-specific.

2. RBI approves Kaizad Bharucha as HDFC Bank Whole-Time Director

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has approved the re-appointment of Kaizad Bharucha as a Whole-Time Director (Deputy Managing Director) on the board of HDFC Bank.

3. IMF Raises India’s Economic Growth Forecast to 7.3% in FY26

In January 2026, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) raised India’s growth forecast for FY26 to 7.3%, up from 6.6% projected in October 2025.

• Report: World Economic Outlook (WEO) – “Global Economy: Steady amid Divergent Forces”
• India remains the fastest-growing major economy
• Upgrade reflects:
  • Strong domestic demand
  • Public investment push
  • Services and manufacturing resilience

4. ACC Appoints New Directors General of NIA, BSF & ITBP

The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) approved new DG-level appointments in key security forces.

• National Investigation Agency (NIA): Rakesh Aggarwal
• Border Security Force (BSF): Praveen Kumar
• Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP): Shatrujeet Singh Kapoor

5. Yoweri Museveni Re-elected President of Uganda for Seventh Term

Yoweri Museveni won Uganda’s presidential election, securing a seventh term.

• Vote share: 71.65%
• Party: National Resistance Movement
• Term: 2026–2031
• One of Africa’s longest-serving leaders

6. Vijender Singh Appointed Member of Asian Boxing Council (ABCO)

India’s Olympic medallist Vijender Singh was appointed as a member of the Asian Boxing Council (ABCO).

7. New Crustacean Genus Indiaphonte bijoyi Discovered in Lakshadweep

Researchers from Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT) discovered a new genus and species of microscopic crustacean.

• Scientific name: Indiaphonte bijoyi
• Type: Harpacticoid copepod
• Location: Kavaratti Lagoon, Lakshadweep
• Highlights India’s marine biodiversity

8. Vice-President Releases Hindi Edition of ‘Palanivelu GUTS’

The C. P. Radhakrishnan, Vice-President of India, released the Hindi edition of ‘Palanivelu GUTS’.

About the Book

• Autobiography of Dr. C. Palanivelu
• Field: Advanced laparoscopic surgery
• Venue: New Delhi

9. PM Modi Launches India’s First Overnight Sleeper Vande Bharat Train

Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched India’s first overnight sleeper Vande Bharat Express on the Howrah–Kamakhya (Guwahati) route during his visit to West Bengal.

10. India’s First Green Ammonia Project Launched in Kakinada

India’s first Green Ammonia project was launched in Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh, with CM N. Chandrababu Naidu laying the foundation stone.

11. Ponduru Khadi Receives GI Tag

Ponduru Khadi, a traditional hand-woven cotton fabric from Andhra Pradesh, has been granted a Geographical Indication (GI) tag.

• Location: Ponduru village, Srikakulam district, Andhra Pradesh
• GI holder: Khadi and Village Industries Commission

12. Finke River Recognised as World’s Oldest Flowing River

The Finke River in central Australia has been recognised as the world’s oldest continuously flowing river.

• Age: ~300–400 million years
• Length: ~640 km
• Local name: Larapinta (Arrernte people)
• Feature: Intermittent flow with connected ancient river system

13. CareEdge Projects 7% GDP Growth for India in FY27

CareEdge Ratings projected 7% GDP growth for India in FY 2026-27.

14. Sandeep Bakhshi Re-appointed MD & CEO of ICICI Bank

Sandeep Bakhshi was re-appointed as MD & CEO of ICICI Bank.

• Tenure: Two years
• Effective from: 4 October 2026
• ICICI Bank:
  • Founded: 1994
  • HQ: Mumbai

15. Uganda President Yoweri Museveni Wins Seventh Term

Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni won a seventh term in office.

• Vote share: 71.65%
• In power since: 1986
• Capital: Kampala
• Currency: Ugandan shilling

16. Indian Navy’s First Training Squadron Reaches Singapore

The Indian Navy’s First Training Squadron reached Changi Naval Base, Singapore during a deployment in the South East Indian Ocean Region.

16. Important Day: Penguin Awareness Day – 20 January

To raise awareness about penguin conservation, climate change impacts, and polar ecosystems.

17. National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) Raising Day – January 19

National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) Raising Day was observed on 19 January 2026.