Daily Current Affairs (DCA) 01 & 02 January, 2026

Daily Current Affairs Quiz
01 & 02 January, 2026

National Affairs

1. Dynamic Ground Water Resource Assessment Report, 2024

Context:

The Union Minister of Jal Shakti has released the Dynamic Ground Water Resource Assessment Report, 2024, which indicates a net improvement in India’s groundwater status compared to 2017, marked by higher recharge and moderated long-term extraction. This reflects important spatial and temporal changes in a critical geographical feature — groundwater.

Key Highlights of the Report:

1. Changing Groundwater Status (Spatial Trends)

• Rising Recharge:
  • Total annual groundwater recharge stands at 446.90 BCM, showing a long-term increase due to rainwater harvesting, tanks, ponds, and conservation structures.
• Moderate Extraction:
  • Annual groundwater extraction is 245.64 BCM, with the stage of extraction at 60.47%, suggesting national-level sustainability.
• Expansion of ‘Safe’ Units:
  • 73.4% of assessment units are now categorised as Safe (up from 62.6% in 2017).
• Decline in Over-exploitation:
  • Over-exploited units reduced from 17.24% (2017) to 11.13% (2024) — a partial reversal of groundwater stress.

2. Role of Water Bodies & Conservation Structures

• Recharge from tanks, ponds, and artificial recharge structures increased to 25.34 BCM, nearly doubling since 2017.
• Highlights the revival of traditional water bodies as critical geographical features influencing subsurface hydrology.

3. Persistent Regional Imbalances

Despite national improvement, groundwater stress remains spatially concentrated in:

• North-West India: Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Rajasthan
• Western & Peninsular India: Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Telangana
  These regions coincide with arid/semi-arid climates, water-intensive cropping, and hard rock aquifers, underscoring the location-specific nature of groundwater depletion.

4. Climatic Sensitivity

• Rainfall dominance: Nearly 61% of recharge comes from rainfall.
• With ~75% of rainfall concentrated in June–September, groundwater availability remains highly sensitive to monsoon variability and climate change.

Reasons for Groundwater Depletion (Geographical Perspective)

1. Agriculture-driven Over-extraction
   • Groundwater supports ~62% of irrigation.
   • Water-intensive crops (rice, sugarcane) dominate NW and peninsular India, pushing 11.13% units into Over-exploited category.
2. Seasonal Rainfall Regime
   • Sharp temporal mismatch between monsoon recharge and year-round withdrawal.
3. Hydro-geological Constraints
   • ~Two-thirds of India lies in hard rock terrain, where groundwater is stored only in fractured zones → limited storage and rapid depletion.
4. Energy Subsidy Distortion
   • Cheap/free electricity encourages excessive pumping, especially in Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, where >25% units are Critical/Over-exploited.
5. Urban–Industrial Pressure
   • Rising urbanisation and industrial clusters contribute to 245.64 BCM annual groundwater draft (2024).

Initiatives Addressing Groundwater Stress

• National Aquifer Mapping Programme (NAQUIM & NAQUIM 2.0):
  Aquifer-level scientific mapping and management planning.
• Atal Bhujal Yojana (ATAL JAL):
  Community-led demand-side management in water-stressed blocks.
• Master Plan for Artificial Recharge (2020):
  Proposal for ~1.42 crore structures to harness 185 BCM of monsoon runoff.
• Jal Shakti Abhiyan – Catch the Rain:
  Nationwide rainwater harvesting and water conservation.
• PMKSY (Groundwater Component):
  Promotes efficient irrigation and conjunctive water use.

Challenges Linked to Groundwater as a Geographical Resource

• Water Security Risk:
  Supplies 85% of rural and ~50% of urban drinking water.
• Regional Inequality:
  Stress concentrated in NW India, western arid zones, and peninsular crystalline belts.
• Quality Degradation:
  • 127 units (1.88%) saline
  • Arsenic and fluoride contamination in stressed aquifers.
• Climate Vulnerability:
  Marginal fall in recharge from 449.08 BCM (2023) to 446.90 BCM (2024) due to erratic rainfall.
• Governance Fragmentation:
  Groundwater as a State subject leads to uneven regulation and weak pricing signals.

Way Forward (Geography-Informed Strategy)

• Aquifer-based Management:
  Scale up NAQUIM/NAQUIM-2.0 for village-level aquifer plans, prioritising Critical and Over-exploited units.
• Demand-side Reforms:
  Crop diversification, rational power subsidies, micro-irrigation to sustainably keep extraction below 60%.
• Artificial Recharge Expansion:
  Implement the Master Plan for Artificial Recharge (2020) to harness 185 BCM monsoon runoff.
• Community Stewardship:
  Expand ATAL JAL across 8,220 water-stressed Gram Panchayats.
• Data-driven Governance:
  Institutionalise annual groundwater assessment using IN-GRES (GIS-based platform) for real-time correction.

2. BSNL Launched Voice over WiFi (VoWiFi) Services

Source: PIB

Context:

State-run telecom operator Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) has launched Voice over WiFi (VoWiFi) services across all telecom circles in India, enabling users to make voice calls and send SMS over Wi-Fi networks. The move significantly enhances connectivity in areas with weak or no mobile network coverage, especially indoors and in remote regions.

What is Voice over WiFi (VoWiFi)?

• VoWiFi is a technology that allows users to make and receive voice calls and text messages using a Wi-Fi connection instead of a cellular tower.
• It works on the IMS (IP Multimedia Subsystem) framework.
• Uses:
  • The same mobile number
  • The default phone dialer
• No third-party app is required, unlike internet calling platforms.

3. Central Excise (Amendment) Act, 2025

Context: TH

Context:

The Union Government has notified the Central Excise (Amendment) Act, 2025, along with related tax changes on tobacco products, to be effective from February 1, 2026. The reform ends the GST Compensation Cess, revises central excise duties, and seeks to raise tobacco prices in line with public health and fiscal objectives.

About the Central Excise (Amendment) Act, 2025

The Central Excise (Amendment) Act, 2025 amends the Central Excise Act, 1944 to restructure excise duties on tobacco and tobacco-related products, which continue to remain outside the full GST framework.

Key Features of the Act

1. Revision of Central Excise Duties

The Act updates excise rates to maintain and enhance the overall tax burden after the discontinuation of the GST compensation cess.

Revised duty rates include:

• Unmanufactured tobacco: 64% → 70%
• Chewing tobacco: 25% → 100%
• Hookah/Gudaku tobacco: 25% → 40%
• Smoking mixtures (pipes/cigarettes): 60% → 325%
• Cigarettes:
  • From ₹200–₹735 → ₹2,700–₹11,000 per 1,000 sticks

2. Public Health Objective

• The reform aligns with global public health guidance, which stresses that real tobacco prices should rise faster than incomes to curb consumption.
• Addresses the issue of stagnant affordability of cigarettes despite income growth over the past decade.

3. GST Rate Restructuring on Tobacco

• Beedis: Shifted to 18% GST
• All other tobacco products: Shifted to 40% GST

This replaces the earlier structure that combined GST with a compensation cess.

4. New Valuation Mechanism

• For products such as chewing tobacco, gutkha, khaini, jarda, GST valuation will now be:
  • Based on the Retail Sale Price (RSP) declared on the package
• Aims to curb under-reporting and tax evasion.

About GST Compensation Cess

The GST Compensation Cess was an additional levy on select goods (including tobacco) to compensate States for revenue losses due to GST.

• Introduced: July 2017
• Original duration: 5 years (till June 2022)
• Continued beyond this period to clear compensation liabilities
• Now discontinued from February 1, 2026

4. Centre Pre-Publishes Draft Rules for Four Labour Codes

Source: Mint

The Ministry of Labour and Employment has pre-published the draft Rules for implementation of the four Labour Codes, inviting public comments within 45 days. The move marks a major step towards operationalising India’s landmark labour law reforms, covering wages, industrial relations, social security, and occupational safety.

What Is the Key Announcement?

• Draft Rules uploaded on the Ministry’s website for public consultation
• Mandate a 48-hour work week
• Lay down special safeguards for women working night shifts
• Extend social security coverage to gig and platform workers
• Define workers, wages, gratuity, bonus, and employment categories

Code-wise Key Provisions

1. Code on Wages – Draft Rules

• Supersedes 18 earlier rules, including:
  • Payment of Wages Rules, 1937
  • Minimum Wages (Central) Rules, 1950
  • Equal Remuneration Rules, 1976
• Minimum wage fixation based on:
  • Standard working-class family (earning worker + spouse + two children)
  • Three adult consumption units
  • 2,700 calories per day per unit
  • 66 metres of cloth per year
  • Housing rent: 10% of food & clothing expenditure
  • Fuel, electricity & misc.: 20%
  • Children’s education, medical & recreation needs
  • 25% for contingencies
• Wages to vary by:
  • Geographical area
  • Skill levels (unskilled, semi-skilled, skilled, highly skilled)
• A Technical Committee, headed by the Director-General of Employment, will advise on skill categorisation.
• A Central Advisory Board proposed for fixing the floor wage.

2. Code on Social Security – Draft Rules

• Supersedes 12 existing rules, including:
  • Employees’ State Insurance Rules, 1950
  • Payment of Gratuity Rules, 1972
  • Unorganised Workers’ Social Security Rules
• National Social Security Board to be constituted:
  • Includes representatives of unorganised sector workers & employers
  • Five members from gig and platform workers, on a rotational basis
• Creche facility mandatory in establishments employing 50 or more workers, for children below six years.

3. Women & Night-Shift Employment

• Employers must ensure:
  • Written consent of women employees
  • Safe transportation facilities
  • CCTV surveillance and workplace safety measures
• Aims to balance gender inclusion with safety and dignity at work.

4. Industrial Relations Code – Draft Rules

• Integrates:
  • Industrial Disputes (Central) Rules, 1957
  • Industrial Employment (Standing Orders) Rules, 1946
• Covers:
  • Registration & functioning of trade unions
  • Secret ballot for verification of trade unions
• Classification of workers:
  • Permanent, Temporary, Apprentices, Probationers
  • Badlis, Casual workers
  • Fixed-Term Employment (engagement through a written contract for a fixed duration)

5. SPREE 2025 Scheme

Source: PIB

Context:

The Ministry of Labour and Employment has extended the deadline of the SPREE 2025 scheme to January 31, 2026, providing additional time for employers and employees to avail benefits under the Employees’ State Insurance framework.

About SPREE 2025

• Full form: Scheme for Promotion of Registration of Employers and Employees
• Launched by: Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC)
• Launch date: July 2025
• Ministry: Ministry of Labour and Employment
• Legal basis: Employees’ State Insurance Act, 1948
• Legal framework: Implemented under the Employees’ State Insurance Act

Objective

• Expand social security coverage
• Encourage voluntary registration of:
  • Unregistered employers
  • Left-out or uncovered workers

Key Features

• No penalty or prosecution: No inspections, damages, or demands for past non-compliance
• No retrospective contribution: ESI contributions applicable only after registration
• Digital onboarding: Registration through ESIC, Shram Suvidha, and MCA portals
• Inclusive coverage: Applies to establishments and workers left out earlier

6. DRDO Carries Out Successful Salvo Launch of Pralay Missiles

Source: TOI

Context:

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully conducted a salvo launch of two indigenously developed Pralay missiles from the same launcher, marking a significant milestone in India’s conventional missile capability.

Key Details of the Test

• Type of test: Salvo launch (multiple missiles fired in quick succession from one launcher)
• Location: Off the Odisha coast
• Range & tracking: Monitored by sensors of the Integrated Test Range (ITR), Chandipur

About the Pralay Missile

• Type: Short-range, surface-to-surface quasi-ballistic missile
• Nature: Conventional (non-nuclear) missile system
• Range: ~150–500 km
• Launch platform: Road-mobile Transporter Erector Launcher (TEL)
• Guidance: Advanced navigation system with high accuracy
• Role: Precision strike against high-value enemy targets

7. Ancient Savannas of Western Maharashtra

Source: TH

Why in News?

A new ecological study published in People and Nature, a journal of the British Ecological Society, has shown that the savannas of western Maharashtra are ancient ecosystems, not degraded or deforested landscapes.

The study uses medieval Marathi literature, oral traditions, archival records, and ecological evidence to trace open tree–grass savanna landscapes back at least 750 years, well before colonial-era timber extraction. It challenges the dominant policy narrative that treats savannas as degraded forests and calls for distinct conservation approaches that respect both biodiversity and local cultural histories.

What are Savannas?

• Mixed tree–grass ecosystems with:
  • Open canopies
  • Seasonal drought
  • Strong fire–grazing interactions
• Dominated by thorny trees, drought-adapted shrubs, perennial grasses, and browsing-resilient species.

Savannas vs Forests (Conceptual Difference)

• Savannas:
  • Fire- and grazing-maintained
  • Low tree density
  • Grass-dominated systems
• Closed Forests:
  • Dense canopy
  • Shade-tolerant species
  • Fire-sensitive ecology

Indian Ecological Terminology (Historical)

• vana / jāgala → wild, open, drier landscapes (scrub, savanna, grasslands)
• anūpa → wetter areas, marshes, and closed forests
  Modern policy often misinterprets vana as only “dense forest”, leading to misclassification of savannas.

Types of Savannas in Maharashtra

• Fine-leaf savannas:
  • Drier belts (≤ 1000 mm rainfall)
• Broadleaf savannas:
  • Wetter belts (≥ 700 mm rainfall)
• Both coexist in the 700–1000 mm rainfall transition zone.

8. Market Access Support (MAS) Scheme

Source: PIB

Context:

The Government of India has launched a ₹4,531 crore Market Access Support (MAS) scheme for a six-year period (FY 2025–26 to FY 2030–31) to strengthen the global reach, visibility, and competitiveness of Indian exporters through structured, outcome-oriented interventions.

The scheme was unveiled by the Department of Commerce and forms part of the broader ₹25,060 crore Export Promotion Mission, approved by the Union Cabinet in November 2025.

About Market Access Support (MAS)

• MAS is implemented under the Niryat Disha sub-scheme of the Export Promotion Mission (EPM).
• It represents a shift towards structured, outcome-driven export promotion, focusing on buyer connectivity, visibility of Indian products, and entry into priority and emerging markets.
• Ministry: Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India.

Implementing Ministries & Institutions

• Lead Ministry: Ministry of Commerce and Industry
• Jointly implemented by:
  • Department of Commerce
  • Ministry of MSME
  • Ministry of Finance
• In coordination with: Indian Missions abroad, Export Promotion Councils (EPCs), Commodity Boards, and industry associations

What MAS Provides

Under the MAS framework, the government will offer financial and institutional support for:

• Buyer–Seller Meets (BSMs)
• Participation in international trade fairs and exhibitions
• Mega reverse BSMs hosted in India
• Trade delegations to targeted export destinations

Additional features include:

• A 3–5 year rolling calendar of major market-access events for advance planning
• Mandatory online feedback from exporters to assess buyer quality, leads generated, and market relevance
• Continuous refinement of guidelines based on data-led evaluation
• All processes—event listings, proposals, approvals, onboarding, fund release, and monitoring—will be routed through the government’s trade portal trade.gov.in.

MSME-Centric Design

• Minimum 35% MSME participation mandated for supported events
• Focus on new geographies and smaller markets to diversify India’s export base
• Rationalised financial ceilings and cost-sharing norms
• Partial airfare support for exporters with turnover up to ₹75 lakh in the previous year

Understanding the Export Promotion Mission (EPM)

• Total Outlay: ₹25,060 crore (FY26–FY31)
• Implemented jointly by:
  • Department of Commerce
  • Ministry of MSME
  • Ministry of Finance
• Two sub-schemes:
  • Niryat Protsahan – Trade finance & credit support (₹10,400 crore)
  • Niryat Disha – Non-financial enablers like branding, logistics, compliance & market access (₹14,660 crore)
• Nodal Agency: Directorate General of Foreign Trade
• Priority sectors:
  • Textiles
  • Leather
  • Gems & jewellery
  • Engineering goods
  • Marine products

Banking/Finance

1. Financial Stability Report (FSR), December 2025

Source: Mint

Context:

The Reserve Bank of India released the December 2025 edition of the Financial Stability Report (FSR) on 31 December 2025, warning that near-term risks to India’s economy and financial system may arise from global geopolitical and trade-related uncertainties.

About the Financial Stability Report (FSR)

• A half-yearly publication of the RBI
• Reflects the collective assessment of all financial sector regulators under the Financial Stability and Development Council (FSDC) Sub-Committee
• Evaluates current and emerging risks to India’s financial stability

Key Highlights of FSR – December 2025

1. Global Macrofinancial Risks

• Global growth remains resilient, supported by:
  • Fiscal measures
  • Front-loaded trade
  • Strong investment in artificial intelligence (AI)
• Downside risks persist due to:
  • High public debt
  • Elevated policy uncertainty
  • Risk of sharp market corrections
• RBI cautioned that:
  • Excess liquidity is fuelling risk-on sentiment
  • A sharp correction—especially if AI optimism fades—could spill over due to rising interconnectedness of financial markets

2. Domestic Macrofinancial Risks

• Indian economy continues to grow, driven by:
  • Strong domestic demand
  • Benign inflation
  • Fiscal consolidation and prudent macroeconomic policies
• Near-term risks stem from:
  • Global geopolitical tensions
  • Trade disruptions impacting exchange rates, exports, earnings, and foreign investment
• Overall, the domestic financial system remains sound, supported by:
  • Strong balance sheets
  • Easy financial conditions
  • Low market volatility

3. Financial Institutions’ Health

• Scheduled Commercial Banks (SCBs):
  • Strong capital adequacy and liquidity buffers
  • Improved asset quality and profitability
  • Stress tests show ability to withstand severe adverse scenarios while remaining above regulatory capital norms
• Urban Cooperative Banks (UCBs):
  • Largely healthy with sound capital buffers
  • Profitability remains strong despite softer net interest margins
• Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs):
  • Improving asset quality
  • Stable profitability
• Mutual Funds & Clearing Corporations:
  • Stress tests confirm resilience to adverse shocks
• Insurance Sector:
  • Continues to display balance sheet resilience
  • Solvency ratios remain above minimum regulatory thresholds

4. Regulatory and Supervisory Initiatives

• Financial regulators are:
  • Strengthening governance and accountability
  • Enhancing customer and investor protection
  • Improving ease of doing business
• RBI highlighted efforts to:
  • Reorganise regulatory instructions
  • Improve clarity and accessibility
  • Reduce compliance burden for regulated entities

Overall Assessment

The December 2025 FSR reaffirms that India’s financial system is resilient and well-capitalised, even as global uncertainties and market vulnerabilities rise. The RBI, however, stresses the need for continued vigilance amid external shocks.

2. Banks Allowed to Set Up Their Own Pension Funds under NPS

Source: TH

Context:

India’s pension regulator, the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA), has permitted banks to sponsor and independently set up pension funds to manage assets under the National Pension System (NPS). The move aims to enhance competition, efficiency, and depth in India’s pension ecosystem.

What Has Changed?

• PFRDA has granted in-principle approval for banks to act as pension fund sponsors under NPS.
• This approval is subject to eligibility norms aligned with RBI guidelines.
• Until now, banks primarily functioned as Points of Presence (PoPs)—handling subscriber registration, contributions, and servicing, but not fund management.

Eligibility Conditions for Banks

Banks seeking to sponsor pension funds must meet criteria related to:

• Net worth
• Market capitalisation
• Prudential soundness and regulatory compliance

These safeguards ensure that only financially strong and well-governed banks enter pension fund management.

Current NPS Landscape

• PFRDA oversees pension assets worth over USD 177 billion.
• There are currently 10 registered pension fund managers under NPS.
• Some existing pension funds already have indirect links to banks and other financial institutions, but this reform allows direct bank sponsorship.

Part of Broader Pension Reforms

This decision fits into a series of recent reforms aimed at modernising and diversifying NPS investments:

Expanded Investment Options (Dec 2024)

• NPS subscribers allowed to invest in:
  • Gold and silver Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs)
  • Nifty 50 index
  • Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs)

Fee Structure Revision

• Investment Management Fee (IMF) for pension funds revised
• New fee structure to take effect from April 1, 2026

Governance Strengthening

• Three new trustees appointed to the NPS Trust Board
• Includes Dinesh Kumar Khara, former Chairman of State Bank of India

3. Government Notifies Rules to Enable 100% FDI in Insurance Sector

Source: ET

Context:

The Government of India has notified the final rules enabling 100% Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in the insurance sector, marking a major reform aimed at attracting global capital and enhancing ease of doing business.

The rules were notified by the Ministry of Finance following parliamentary approval of the amended insurance law during the Winter Session and came into force on December 30, 2025, upon publication in the Official Gazette.

What Has Changed?

1. Board & Management Composition Relaxed

• Earlier requirement:
  • Majority of directors and key management personnel had to be Indian residents
• Revised rule:
  • This condition has been removed for insurance companies with foreign investment

2. Indian Leadership Safeguard Retained

• At least one key leadership position must be held by a Resident Indian citizen:
  • Chairperson, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), or
  • Managing Director (MD)

This ensures Indian oversight at the strategic level, even with full foreign ownership.

Legal & Policy Background

• The rules operationalise the new Insurance Amendment Law, which:
  • Was passed by Parliament
  • Received Presidential assent
  • Was notified after stakeholder consultations on the draft rules issued in August 2025
• The reform aligns with the government’s broader push for:
  • Liberalisation of the financial sector
  • Ease of doing business
  • Deeper insurance penetration

4. KYC Rules Eased for Company Directors

Context:

The Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) has announced a major compliance relief for company directors, allowing them to file their Know Your Customer (KYC) details once every three years instead of annually.
The relaxed norms will come into effect from March 31.

What Has Changed?

• Earlier:
  • Company directors were required to file KYC annually
• Now:
  • KYC filing required once in three years
• Applies to directors governed under Section 12A of the Companies (Appointment & Qualification of Directors) Rules, 2014

This move significantly reduces the regulatory and compliance burden for hundreds of thousands of directors.

What is KYC?

Know Your Customer (KYC) is a regulatory process through which financial institutions verify the identity, address, and financial profile of customers before or while providing services. It aims to prevent money laundering, terrorist financing, fraud, and identity theft.

Who mandates KYC in India?

• KYC norms are prescribed and supervised by the Reserve Bank of India
• Also followed by other regulators like SEBI and IRDAI for their respective entities

What is CKYC?

Central Know Your Customer (CKYC) is a centralised KYC system in India that allows a customer to complete KYC once and use it across multiple financial institutions.

Who manages CKYC?

• CKYC Registry is managed by Central Registry of Securitisation Asset Reconstruction and Security Interest of India (CERSAI)
• Implemented under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002

Agriculture

1. Climate-Resilient Agriculture (CRA)

Source: TH

Context:

India’s food system stands at a crossroads. Climate change is no longer a distant risk—it is already reshaping farming through erratic rainfall, frequent heatwaves, declining soil health, water stress, and rising pest pressures. For a country that must feed a rapidly growing population, sustaining agricultural productivity under these conditions requires a fundamental shift. This is where Climate-Resilient Agriculture (CRA) becomes essential.

What Is Climate-Resilient Agriculture?

Climate-resilient agriculture refers to farming systems that anticipate, absorb, and adapt to climate shocks, while maintaining or improving productivity and environmental sustainability.

CRA integrates:

• Biotechnology tools:
  • Biofertilizers and biopesticides to reduce chemical dependence
  • Soil-microbiome analysis to restore soil health
  • Genome-edited crops designed for tolerance to drought, heat, salinity, and pests
• Digital and AI technologies:
  • AI-driven analytics that combine weather, soil, and crop data
  • Precision irrigation, pest forecasting, and yield prediction
  • Locally tailored advisories instead of one-size-fits-all practices

The goal is not just climate adaptation, but productive, low-input, and knowledge-intensive agriculture.

Why India Specifically Needs CRA

• India remains a predominantly agricultural nation, with livelihoods of millions tied to farming.
• Around 51% of India’s net sown area is rainfed, yet it produces nearly 40% of the country’s food—making it highly vulnerable to rainfall variability.
• Conventional input-intensive farming models are increasingly fragile under climate stress.
• Climate volatility threatens food security, farmer incomes, and rural stability.

CRA offers India a pathway to protect yields, reduce ecological damage, and stabilise farm incomes in a warming world.

Where Does India Stand Today?

Institutional Efforts

• In 2011, Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) launched the National Innovations in Climate Resilient Agriculture (NICRA) programme.
  • Demonstrated location-specific practices such as:
    • System of Rice Intensification (SRI)
    • Aerobic and direct-seeded rice
    • Zero-till wheat sowing
    • Climate-resilient crop varieties
    • In-situ residue management
  • Implemented across 448 climate-resilient villages
• The National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture focuses on:
  • Rainfed agriculture
  • Water-use efficiency
  • Soil health management
  • Integrated farming systems

Policy & Market Developments

• The BioE3 policy positions CRA as a priority area for biotechnology-led solutions.
• Several bio-inputs are already commercialised.
• India’s agritech ecosystem is expanding rapidly, offering:
  • AI-based crop advisories
  • Precision irrigation
  • Crop health monitoring and yield forecasting

Key Gaps and Risks

Despite progress, scaling CRA faces serious constraints:

• Low adoption among small and marginal farmers due to limited awareness, access, and affordability
• Quality inconsistencies in biofertilizers and biopesticides, eroding farmer trust
• Slow rollout of climate-resilient and genome-edited seeds, with uneven State-wise adoption
• A persistent digital divide, limiting reach of AI-based tools
• Continuing soil degradation, groundwater depletion, and climate volatility
• Fragmented policy coordination, diluting impact

Without addressing these, climate impacts may outpace adaptation efforts.

The Way Forward: Why a National CRA Roadmap Is Needed

India now needs a coherent, integrated national roadmap for climate-resilient agriculture, rather than isolated schemes.

Key priorities include:

• Accelerating R&D and deployment of climate-tolerant and genome-edited crops
• Strengthening quality standards and supply chains for bio-inputs
• Expanding digital infrastructure and climate advisories for small farmers
• Providing financial incentives, climate insurance, and affordable credit during transition
• Aligning biotechnology, climate adaptation, and agricultural policy under a single strategic framework—anchored in the BioE3 vision

2. Government’s New Seed Push to Revive Cotton and Boost Farm Productivity

Source: Mint

Context:

On January 1, 2026, the Government of India unveiled a major agricultural productivity drive by releasing around 185 new high-yielding seed varieties and hybrids across a wide range of crops. The move aims to improve seed quality, raise farm productivity, and strengthen food security, with a special focus on reviving cotton yields.

What Has Been Announced?

• ~185 new seed varieties and hybrids released for cultivation and commercial sale
• Covers key crops:
  • Rice
  • Maize
  • Cotton
  • Millets
  • Pulses
  • Oilseeds
  • Sugarcane

Key Feature

• All newly released cotton seeds remain Bt-II hybrids
  • Bt-II refers to second-generation Bt cotton, containing Bacillus thuringiensis genes for pest resistance
• Indicates policy continuity, with no introduction of new biotech traits

India remains the world’s second-largest cotton producer, after China, but has faced stagnant yields, pest pressures, and rising cultivation costs in recent years.

What are Bt-II hybrids?

Bt-II hybrids are genetically modified (GM) cotton hybrids that contain two insect-resistant genes (Cry1Ac and Cry2Ab) derived from the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt). These genes enable the cotton plant to produce toxins that kill bollworm pests, especially the American bollworm.

Why Bt-II? (Bt-I vs Bt-II)

• Bt-I hybrids:
  • Contain only one gene (Cry1Ac)
  • Effective initially but pests developed resistance over time
• Bt-II hybrids:
  • Contain two genes (Cry1Ac + Cry2Ab)
  • Provide broader and more durable resistance to bollworms

3. Union Government Launches Integrated e-Bill System for Fertiliser Subsidies

Source: BL

Context:

The Union Government has launched an integrated e-Bill System to digitally process fertiliser subsidies worth around ₹2 lakh crore, marking a major step towards end-to-end digital governance in subsidy administration.

About the e-Bill System for Fertiliser Subsidies

The e-Bill System is a completely digital, end-to-end platform for:

• Submission
• Processing
• Tracking
• Payment

of fertiliser subsidy bills.
It replaces the earlier paper-based and manual workflow, reducing delays and procedural inefficiencies.

Nodal Ministry

• Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers

Objectives

• Ensure timely, transparent, and accountable disbursal of fertiliser subsidies
• Improve financial discipline and expenditure monitoring
• Strengthen auditability and compliance through digital trails
• Enhance overall efficiency in subsidy management

Key Features of the e-Bill System

• End-to-end digital workflow
  • Eliminates physical movement of subsidy bills and manual scrutiny
• Online claim submission
  • Fertiliser companies can submit subsidy claims digitally and track payment status in real time
• Real-time tracking & centralised reporting
  • Enables continuous monitoring of subsidy expenditure at the national level
• Built-in financial controls
  • Automatic validation of claims against predefined norms
  • Enforces rule-based compliance before payments are cleared
• Tamper-proof audit trail
  • Every action is digitally logged, supporting audits and accountability
• FIFO (First-In-First-Out) processing
  • Ensures uniform, predictable, and non-discretionary bill clearance
• Faster payments
  • Facilitates timely release of weekly fertiliser subsidy payments, improving liquidity for fertiliser companies

Facts To Remember

1. World rapid and blitz

Of the 14 medals on offer at the World rapid and blitz chess championships in Doha, India claimed three. That is not bad, but last year India had a title — Koneru Humpy had won the rapid championship, and this time around she had to settle for bronze.

2. R.K. Shriramkumar receives Sangita Kalanidhi award

Hindustani violinist N. Rajam advised students of music to pursue their practice without interruption, saying it would keep opening doors they never expected.

3. Air Marshal Nagesh Kapoor takes charge as Vice Chief of Air Staff

Air Marshal Nagesh Kapoor assumed charge as the Vice Chief of the Air Staff, succeeding Air Marshal Narmdeshwar Tiwari, who superannuated after 40 years of service.

4. First Vande Bharat sleeper train to ply between Guwahati and Kolkata

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will flag off the first Vande Bharat sleeper train later this month, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said. It will ply between Guwahati and Kolkata.

5. Centre Imposes Safeguard Duty on Steel Imports for Three Years

The Government of India has imposed a safeguard duty of up to 12% on the import of select steel products for a period of three years, aiming to protect the domestic steel industry from a surge in low-priced imports, particularly from China and a few other countries.

6. Credit growth nears 12%, deposit slows to 9.35%

Credit growth in the period ended December 15 expanded to nearly 12 per centyear-on-year (Y-o-Y), while deposit growth slowed further to 9.35 per cent, according to revised data released by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).

7. UPI Ends 2025 on a High with Record 21.6 Billion Transactions

India’s flagship digital payments system, the Unified Payments Interface (UPI), closed December 2025 on a record-breaking note, underscoring the deepening shift towards cashless transactions across the country. According to data released by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), UPI processed 21.63 billion transactions in December, up from 20.47 billion in November, marking a new all-time high.

8. Goa name its new district Kushavati

Goa’s third district will be named Kushavati, deriving its name from Kushavati river that flows through southern Goa.

9. PM Modi to inaugurate Grand International Exposition of Sacred Piprahwa Relics in New Delhi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the Grand International Exposition of Sacred Piprahwa Relics related to Bhagwan Buddha, the Light and the Lotus: Relics of the Awakened One at Rai Pithora Cultural Complex in Delhi tomorrow.

10. Chief coach Sjoerd Marijne appointed for Indian women’s hockey team

Sjoerd Marijne has been appointed as the chief coach of the Indian women’s hockey team. This announcement was made by Hockey India today. The Dutchman had led Indian women to a historic fourth-place finish at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, which was their second appearance at the quadrennial event in more than 36 years. 

11. Centre approves 22 new projects under Electronics Components Manufacturing Scheme worth ₹41,863 crore

Centre has approved 22 new proposals under the third tranche of the Electronics Components Manufacturing Scheme, involving a projected investment of 41 thousand 863 crore rupees. These approvals cover the manufacturing of 11 target-segment products, including mobile manufacturing, telecom, consumer electronics, strategic electronics, automotive, and IT hardware.

12. Ecuador President Daniel Noboa declares 60-day emergency amid surge in criminal violence

Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa has declared a new 60-day state of emergency in nine provinces and three municipalities. This comes due to an increase in criminal violence, which has caused serious internal commotion. The President said the 60-day validity of the decree aims to contain and reduce high-intensity violence, neutralise ongoing or imminent threats, and dismantle criminal structures.

13. NHAI discontinues Know Your Vehicle cards for new car FASTag issuances

National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has announced discontinuation of Know Your Vehicle (KYV) cards for cars for all new FASTag issuances with effect from 1st of next month.

14. India International Youth Sailing Championship 2026 to take place at Chennai Port

The 11th India International Youth Sailing Championship 2026 will officially take place from 4th to 10th January at the Chennai Port. The Championship was launched in Chennai yesterday.

15. Repealing and Amending Act 2025 passed to simplify legal framework

The Repealing and Amending Act, 2025, was passed in the recently concluded winter session of the Parliament. The Act aims to simplify the country’s legal framework by repealing obsolete and redundant laws and making targeted amendments to select existing statutes.

16. India’s first bullet train to be launched on August 15, 2027 between Mumbai and Ahmedabad

Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw today announced that India is likely to receive its first Bullet Train on 15th August 2027. Briefing media in New Delhi today, the Minister said India’s first bullet train project  is under construction between Ahmedabad and Mumbai.