Current Affairs – January 13, 2026

{GS1 – Geo} Greenland’s Resource Wealth **

Context (DTE): Greenland holds large reserves of critical raw materials, minerals/metals and hydrocarbons, drawing strong interest due to the global clean-energy transition.

Resources Highlighted in Greenland

Hydrocarbons Potential: USGS estimates ~31 billion barrels of oil-equivalent hydrocarbons in onshore northeast Greenland (including ice-covered areas), signalling major untapped energy wealth.
Sedimentary Basins: Onshore basins like the Jameson Land Basin are seen as the most promising oil–gas zones, often compared to Norway’s hydrocarbon-rich shelf.
Strategic Rare Earths: Greenland is predicted to hold ~40 million tonnes of dysprosium + neodymium, enough to meet >25% of projected future global demand.
Gems & Special Minerals: Greenland hosts diamond-bearing kimberlite pipes, native iron lumps, Lead, copper, iron and zinc occur in mostly ice-free basins

Climate Change Link

Ice Melt Unlocks Access: Since 1995, Greenland has lost ice over an area roughly the size of Albania, increasing the exposure of buried minerals and hydrocarbons.
Transition vs Emissions Trap: Climate change makes resources more accessible, but large-scale extraction (especially oil/gas) can worsen emissions, deepening the crisis.

Why is Greenland so Resource-Rich?

4-Billion-Year Geology: Greenland contains some of Earth’s oldest rocks, meaning a long geological time for multiple mineral-forming events and deposit concentration.
Three Resource Pathways: Unusually, Greenland experienced mountain building + rifting + volcanic activity, the three major geological processes that generate oil/gas, ores and REEs.
Mountain Building Deposits: Compression fractured crust and created pathways for gold, rubies, and graphite to form in faults and fractures.
Rifting Advantage: Repeated rifting (incl. Atlantic opening ~200 million years ago) formed sedimentary basins ideal for oil, gas, and metal mineralisation.
Volcanic Contribution: Igneous layers & hydrothermal activity concentrated REEs (niobium, tantalum, ytterbium, etc.), similar to hydrothermal mineral deposits elsewhere.

Greenland

It is the world’s largest non-continental island, located between the Arctic and Atlantic Oceans.
Nearly 80% of Greenland is covered by the world’s second-largest ice sheet, after Antarctica.
It is home to Kaffeklubben Island, the northernmost point of land in the world.
Geographically part of North America but geopolitically linked to Europe, it’s an autonomous territory of Denmark.
Greenland manages internal affairs, while Denmark controls foreign policy, defence, and currency.
It falls under NATO Article 5 protection but is not part of the European Union.
Home to Pituffik Space Base, vital for US missile defence operations & space monitoring in the Arctic.

Context (TH): The Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan Bill, 2025, aims to overhaul higher education regulation by replacing fragmented regulators with a unified, NEP 2020-aligned framework.

Need For Regulation in Higher Education Sector

System Explosion: India now has 1,000+ universities and ~42,000+ colleges (AISHE), but regulation is still fragmented, making approvals/monitoring slow and inconsistent.
Low Gross Enrolment: India’s Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) ~28% (AISHE) is far below NEP’s ambition.
Poor Research Focus: India spends only ~0.7% of GDP on R&D (OECD), showing how institutions remain compliance-driven rather than research/innovation-driven.
Weak Global Standing: Despite scale, India has only a limited presence at the top end globally; E.g., ~45 Indian institutions featured in QS World University Rankings 2025, indicating quality gaps.
Skill Mismatch Pressure: India produces around 1.5 crore graduates annually, but multiple employability surveys (e.g., India Skills Report) indicate only ~45–50% are readily employable

Expected Impact of the Bill

Access Expansion: A single-window clearance system can speed up approvals and capacity-building, helping raise India’s Gross Enrolment Ratio from ~28% → 50% by 2035 (NEP target).
Global Recognition & Mobility: Unified standards and credible accreditation improve international trust; E.g., India currently it hosts only ~0.5% of global international students, showing huge potential.
Student Accountability Loop: Structured student feedback & grievance systems can raise teaching quality and governance accountability at scale.

Key Provisions of the VBSA Bill, 2025

Umbrella Regulator: Establishes Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan as the apex coordinating body.
Three Councils: Separate Regulation, Accreditation, and Standards councils under VBSA.
Regulatory Unification: Repeals UGC Act 1956, AICTE Act 1987, NCTE Act 1993.
Outcome Accreditation: Introduces an outcome-based institutional accreditation framework.
Foreign Universities: Regulates the entry and operation of foreign universities in India.
Grant Separation: Removes grant-disbursal powers from the regulator; funding via the Ministry.
Digital Disclosure: Mandates online public self-disclosure of finances, courses, and governance.
Institutions Covered: Central & State Universities, Colleges and Higher Educational Institutions, Institutions of National Importance, Institutions of Eminence and Technical & Teacher Education Institutions
Institutions Exempted: Medicine, Dentistry, Nursing, Law, Pharmacology, Veterinary Sciences.

{GS2 – Governance} Creator’s Corner

Context (PIB): Prasar Bharati launched “Creator’s Corner” on DD News to showcase content by digital creators nationwide and strengthen India’s creator economy.

WAVES (World Audio Visual & Entertainment Summit) has also become a game-changer for India’s creator economy, aiming to empower ~1 crore youth and generate ~₹5,000 crore economic activity.

Creator (Orange) Economy Refers to an ecosystem where content creators, digital platforms, brands and intermediaries interact to generate value and revenue.
Prasar Bharati, established under Prasar Bharati Act, 1990, is India’s autonomous public broadcaster under the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, comprising Doordarshan and All India Radio.

About Creator’s Corner

Purpose: A dedicated DD News platform to feature curated content by independent digital creators.
Objective: Promote digital economy & quality content creation through partnership between Prasar Bharati and creators, giving them national visibility.
Coverage Themes: Includes news/current affairs, culture, travel, cuisine, art/literature, health, education, science-tech, environment, entertainment, etc.
Broadcast Schedule: Telecast 7:00 PM (Mon–Fri) on DD News with repeat at 9:30 AM next day.

About WAVES Summit

Purpose: A govt-led global platform to promote the Media & Entertainment and Creative Economy.
Participants: Over 100 top global companies, including Netflix, Amazon, Meta, Sony, and Google.
Key Objectives: Boost India’s M&E sector to achieve a $50 billion industry by 2029 and support the Orange Economy as a GDP and soft power driver.

Major Launches and Initiatives

Indian Institute of Creative Technology: Skilling youth in media, animation and content creation.
WAVES Bazaar: A global platform for creators to pitch and connect.
WAVEX Accelerator: Helps startups in AVGC-XR (Animation, VFX, Gaming, Comics, Extended Reality).

Read More> India’s Creator Economy

{GS2 – IR} India–Germany Sign Pacts to Boost Ties **

Context (IE): German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is on his first official visit to India and his first Asian trip since taking office.

Milestone: The visit coincides with 75 years of Indo-German diplomatic relations and 25 years of the Strategic Partnership.

Key Outcomes of the German Chancellor’s Visit to India

Defence Partnership: Both countries signed a Defence Industrial Cooperation Roadmap to move from a buyer–seller model to technology transfer and co-production.
- Eurodrone: DRDO and Europe’s OCCAR partnered for the Eurodrone MALE UAV programme.
- Operational Engagement: Germany committed to deploying a Liaison Officer at the IFC-IOR and to participating in the MILAN and Tarang Shakti exercises.
Trade Integration: Leaders committed to the early conclusion of the India-EU Free Trade Agreement.
- CEO Forum: The German-Indian CEO Forum was strengthened to channel high-tech investments.
- SME Focus: Both countries prioritised SMEs and startups to foster innovation and build resilient global supply chains.
Technology: A Semiconductor Ecosystem Partnership was formed to collaborate on research, design, and the value chain.
- Critical Mineral: Both signed a Joint Declaration of Intent to cooperate on mineral processing, recycling, and overseas asset acquisition.
- Excellence Centres: New Indo-German Centres of Excellence will focus on battery tech, green transport, and affordable healthcare.
Sustainable Energy: India’s National Green Hydrogen Mission (NGHM) was aligned with Germany’s Hydrogen Strategy via harmonised regulatory standards.
- Green Ammonia: A binding agreement was signed for the supply of green ammonia to the German energy market.
- Climate Finance: Germany committed €10 billion in concessional finance by 2030.
Migration and Mobility: Germany decided to grant visa-free airport transit to Indian passport holders.
- Skills Partnership: A Global Skills Partnership was created for Indian healthcare and renewable energy professionals to work in Germany.
- Higher Education: Both countries adopted a Comprehensive Roadmap to expand joint degree programmes and research collaboration.
Regional Strategy: A Bilateral Indo-Pacific Consultation Mechanism was launched to coordinate the rules-based regional order.
- IMEC: Both countries reaffirmed support for the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC).

Overview of India-Germany Bilateral Relations

Strategic Partnership: India and Germany established a Strategic Partnership in 2000 and are celebrating 75 years of diplomatic relations.
Dialogue Mechanism: Inter-Governmental Consultations are a formal dialogue mechanism where both heads of government meet every two years.
Trade Partner: Germany remains India’s largest trading partner within the European Union.
Trade: Bilateral trade reached a record $50 billion in 2024, with $15 billion from Indian exports.
- Export Basket: Electrical machinery, organic chemicals, textiles, apparels etc.
- Import Basket: Industrial machinery, aircraft, precision instruments, etc.
Multilateral Coordination: Both countries cooperate within the G4 grouping to advocate for reform and expansion of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).
Key Divergence: Russia-Ukraine stance, non-tariff trade barriers, data localisation, etc.

{GS3 – Agri} Rajasthan Panchayat Earns Organic Farming Certification *

Context (TH): Bamanwas Kankar became Rajasthan’s first gram panchayat certified as fully organic.

The certification covers all agricultural land and livestock across the entire panchayat.
This milestone is the result of a community-driven movement led by women farmers.
Rajasthan ranks third nationally in organic farm production, accounting for nearly 13% of India’s total certified organic area.

About Organic Farming in India

Organic farming is a holistic production management system that avoids synthetic fertilisers, pesticides, growth regulators, and artificial additives in livestock feed.
India ranks first in the number of organic producers and second in the area under organic cultivation.
Sikkim became the world’s first 100% organic state in 2016.
Leading states: Madhya Pradesh, followed by Maharashtra, Rajasthan, and Gujarat.
Export: Major organic exports from India include oilseeds, tea, coffee, and basmati rice.

Key Government Schemes and Initiatives

Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) supports cluster-based organic farming with financial aid for inputs and Participatory Guarantee System (PGS) certification.
Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North Eastern Region (MOVCDNER) is a central sector scheme for NE states to develop the entire value chain.
The National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP), managed by APEDA, provides the accreditation framework necessary for international exports.
PM-PRANAM aims to reduce the use of chemical fertilisers by incentivising states to adopt organic and natural farming practices.
Jaivik Kheti Portal is an online marketing platform connecting organic farmers directly with consumers.

Read More > Organic Farming | Promoting Organic Farming

{GS3 – S&T} China’s ‘Artificial Sun’ Achieves New Breakthrough in Nuclear Fusion *

Context (TH | LS): China’s Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (EAST), known as the “artificial sun,” broke a long-standing plasma density limit in nuclear fusion reactors.

It sustained plasma densities 30%–65% above the Greenwald limit for 6–7 seconds, unlike previous short breaches.
Significance: The achievement indicates a practical, scalable pathway to extend tokamak density limits, enabling significantly higher fusion energy output.

Greenwald Limit: An empirical threshold for the maximum plasma density achievable in tokamaks; exceeding it usually triggers plasma instability and collapse.

About Nuclear Fusion

Nuclear fusion is the process of joining two light atomic nuclei (Deuterium and Tritium) to form a heavier nucleus (Helium), releasing large amounts of energy. This process powers the Sun and stars.
It requires temperatures over 100 million °C and extreme pressure to overcome the electrostatic repulsion (Coulomb barrier) between positively charged nuclei.
It occurs in the state of matter called plasma — a hot, charged gas of positive ions and free electrons.
Significance: Nuclear fusion offers a near-limitless, carbon-free energy source, yielding four times more energy per kg than nuclear fission and leaving no long-lived radioactive waste.

About Tokamaks

A Tokamak is the most advanced experimental machine designed to harness controlled nuclear fusion.
It uses strong magnetic fields to confine and stabilise superheated plasma within a doughnut-shaped vacuum vessel, which enables continuous circulation.
The International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) in France is a collaborative project involving 35 nations designed to be the world’s largest tokamak upon completion.
The JT-60SA in Japan is currently the largest operational tokamak.

India’s Fusion Facilities

SST-1: The Steady State Superconducting Tokamak-1 is India’s first superconducting tokamak, designed to study steady-state plasma operation.
ADITYA-U: India’s first indigenously built tokamak (1989), used for high-temperature plasma experiments and advanced diagnostics.
SST-Bharat: A planned fusion-fission hybrid reactor envisioned as India’s first fusion-powered electricity generator.

{GS3 – S&T} NASA’s Pandora Mission *

Context (IT): SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket successfully launched NASA’s Pandora satellite into a Sun-synchronous low Earth orbit.

Twilight Mission: The launch was part of SpaceX’s “Twilight” rideshare mission, which carried 40 payloads, including NASA’s:
- SPARCS CubeSat: To monitor ultraviolet flares from nearby low-mass stars.
- BlackCAT: A wide-field X-ray telescope to detect high-energy events such as gamma-ray bursts.

About Pandora Mission

About Mission: Pandora is a low-cost SmallSat mission under NASA’s Astrophysics Pioneers program aimed at studying the atmospheres of at least 20 exoplanets.
Objective: It seeks to decouple a planet’s true atmospheric signals from the ‘stellar contamination‘ (noise) produced by its host star.
Dual Vision: The satellite observes targets simultaneously in visible and infrared wavelengths to correct measurement errors.
1. Visible-Light: Monitors the host star’s brightness to track starspots and measure its rotation speed.
2. Infrared: Analyses the composition of exoplanet atmospheres using transmission spectroscopy.
Dusk-Dawn Orbit: It orbits along Earth’s “terminator” line (the boundary between day and night), ensuring continuous sunlight and thermal stability.

Read More> Exoplanets

{Prelims – A&C} Bhadrakali Temple Inscription *

Context (PIB): The Bhadrakali Temple Inscription is a major epigraphic record located at Prabhas Patan, Gujarat, near the Somnath Temple.

Carved in 1169 CE, it records Somnath temple’s construction across four yugas by Chandra (in gold), Ravana (in silver), Krishna (in wood), and Bhimdev Solanki (in stone).
The inscription records the fourth reconstruction of the temple by Bhimdev Solanki, followed later by a fifth rebuilding under Kumarapala.
It serves as a prashasti (eulogy) for Bhava Brihaspati, a spiritual preceptor to King Kumarapala, who was appointed the chief priest of the Somnath temple.

Read More > Somnath Temple

{Prelims – A&C} Karthigai Deepam at Thiruparankundram Hill

Context (IE): The Madras High Court allowed the ceremonial lamp lighting for Karthigai Deepam at Thiruparankundram Hill, granting access only to temple officials and excluding the public.

Karthigai Deepam is the oldest festival of lights in Tamil Nadu, celebrated during the Tamil month of Karthigai to honour Lord Shiva and Lord Murugan.

About Thiruparankundram Hill

Thiruparankundram Hill near Madurai is a 319-metre monolithic rock in the Vaigai River basin.
Murugan Abode: It is considered the first among the six holy abodes of Lord Murugan.
Hindu Temple: The Arulmigu Subramanian Swamy Cave Temple at the base is an 8^th-century rock-cut shrine from the Pandya period.
- Rare Iconography: The temple depicts Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu facing each other.
Jain Remains: Tamil-Brahmi inscriptions and stone beds show Jain monks using rock shelters since the 2^nd century BCE.
Dargah Summit: The summit houses the Sikandar Badusha Dargah, the tomb of Madurai’s last Sultan.
Religious Legacy: The coexistence of a Vedic temple and an Islamic shrine represents a shared religious heritage.

{Prelims – IR} 16^th International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) Assembly

Context (PIB): The 16^th Assembly of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) was held in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

The Assembly focused on accelerating the renewable transition aligned with the UAE Consensus, the 2030 SDG Agenda, and the Paris Agreement.

About IRENA

The IRENA is the leading global intergovernmental organisation and the principal platform for international cooperation on all forms of renewable energy.
It was founded in 2009 in Bonn, Germany, and is headquartered in Masdar City, Abu Dhabi.
It supports its member countries in transitioning toward a sustainable energy future by providing data, policy advice, and financial expertise.

It holds United Nations (UN) Observer status while operating as an independent body.
Membership: It has 171 members (170 countries and the European Union); India is a founding member.
India’s Role: India has a permanent seat on the IRENA Council; it signed a Strategic Partnership Agreement in 2022 to collaborate on green hydrogen and energy planning.
Global Targets: IRENA promotes tripling renewable capacity and doubling energy efficiency by 2030, aligning with COP28.

Governance Structure

The Assembly: It serves as the supreme decision-making body, convening once a year with one representative from each member.
The Council: It oversees budgeting and reporting and has 21 elected members serving two-year terms, ensuring regional balance.
Secretariat: It is the executive branch, providing administrative and technical support.

{Prelims – Eco} National Cooperative Sugar Federation

Context (NOA): The National Cooperative Sugar Federation (NCSF) sought urgent government intervention to address falling sugar prices and the financial stress on the industry.

NCSF is the apex cooperative body representing all cooperative sugar factories and state-level sugar cooperative federations in India.
Established in 1960, it operates under the Multi-State Co-operative Societies Act, 2002 (MSCS).
Governance: It operates through an elected Board of Directors under the Ministry of Cooperation.
Function: It serves as the primary spokesperson for cooperative mills at government forums, advises on modernising mills and improving sugarcane recovery, and advocates for farmers’ interests.

Read More > Sugar Industry in India

{Prelims – Species} Flamingo Festival 2026

Context (TH): The annual Flamingo Festival 2026, celebrating the arrival of thousands of migratory birds, is underway at the Nelapattu Bird Sanctuary.

About Nelapattu Bird Sanctuary

Nelapattu Bird Sanctuary is a protected wetland ecosystem located in Andhra Pradesh.
It lies near Pulicat Lake, India’s 2^nd -largest brackish lagoon and a major flamingo feeding ground.
The sanctuary hosts one of Southeast Asia’s largest breeding colonies of spot-billed pelicans.

About Flamingos

Flamingos are long-legged wading birds known for their distinctive pink plumage, S-shaped necks, and unique filter-feeding bills.
Types: Six flamingo species exist globally, with the Greater Flamingo being the largest and the Lesser Flamingo the smallest.
Unique Feature: They have downward-curved bills with comb-like structures (lamellae) that filter food from water and mud; their vibrant colour comes from carotenoids in their diet.
Habitat: They prefer warm wetlands and occur worldwide except Antarctica and Australia.
Diet: They are omnivorous, primarily feeding on insects, blue-green algae and small crustaceans.
Behaviour Traits: Flamingos are highly social and live in large colonies called flamboyances; they exhibit seasonal migratory movements.

Read More > Flamingos

{Prelims – PAN} Aralam Butterfly Sanctuary

Context (TH): Kerala government renamed Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary as Aralam Butterfly Sanctuary under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.

First Status: It is Kerala’s first butterfly sanctuary and India’s first dedicated butterfly-protected area.
Location: The sanctuary lies in Kannur district and is Kerala’s northernmost protected area.
- It borders the Brahmagiri Wildlife Sanctuary in Karnataka and serves as a vital buffer zone for the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve.
Butterfly Diversity: The sanctuary hosts over 266 butterfly species, covering more than 80% of Kerala’s documented butterfly diversity.
Behavioural Phenomena: Aralam is noted for mass butterfly migrations and mud-puddling, where large groups gather on wet soil to obtain minerals.
- Prominent migratory butterflies include the Common Albatross and multiple Danaine species
Other Fauna: Slender Loris, Malabar giant squirrels, elephants, leopards, etc.
River System: The Cheenkanni River, also known as Cheenkannipuzha, originates in the Brahmagiri ranges and flows through the sanctuary.

{Prelims – Diseases} Nipah Virus *

Context (TH): Two healthcare workers in West Bengal have been infected with the Nipah virus.

About the Nipah Virus

RNA Virus: Nipah virus (NiV) is a zoonotic RNA virus (Family Paramyxoviridae) that causes severe respiratory illness and fatal encephalitis (brain swelling).
Primary Host: Fruit bats of the Genus Pteropus (flying foxes) are the natural reservoir.
Transmission Modes: Direct contact with infected animals (pigs act as amplifying hosts), consumption of contaminated food, or close contact with patient secretions.
Incubation Window: Symptoms appear within 4-14 days, though incubation may last up to 45 days.
Clinical Symptoms: Acute respiratory distress, atypical pneumonia, seizures, encephalitis, etc.
Treatment Status: There is no specific vaccine or antiviral treatment; care is limited to symptomatic relief and intensive support.
- Monoclonal Antibody m102.4 has been used recently on an experimental basis.
- Fatality Rate: It has a very high mortality rate, estimated between 40% and 75%.
First Outbreak: The Nipah virus was discovered in Kampung Sungai Nipah village in Malaysia during the 1998-1999 outbreak.
- Indian Presence: In India, outbreaks are mainly reported from West Bengal and Kerala.
Global Priority: Nipah is listed as a priority disease under the WHO’s R&D Blueprint for Epidemics.

In 2025, Oxford University began the world’s first Phase II clinical trial of the ChAdOx1 NipahB vaccine in Bangladesh.

Read More > Nipah Virus

{Prelims – Defence} Bhairav Battalions *

Context (TH): India Army’s newly raised Bhairav Battalions (Desert Falcons) will make their Army Day Parade debut on January 15, 2026, in Jaipur.

About Bhairav Battalions

Modern Warfare Force: High-speed offensive units designed for hybrid warfare, built from lessons of global conflicts and India’s operational experience.
Special Ops Role: Capable of executing Special Forces-like tasks at multiple levels.
Bridge Force: Created to bridge the gap between Para Special Forces and regular infantry, expanding special operations capability across formations.
Force Structure: 15 Bhairav Battalions have been raised, with plans to expand to ~25 battalions.

Key Features

Drone-Centric Doctrine: Army is creating a pool of 1+ lakh drone operatives trained to deploy drones in real missions for targeting.
Deterrence Signalling: Parade debut reflects intent to institutionalise new-generation warfighting.

{Prelims – Exercise} Exercise Sanjha Shakti *

Context (IE): A joint Military Civil Fusion (MCF) exercise “Sanjha Shakti” was held to test civil–military emergency response and security preparedness.

About Exercise Sanjha Shakti

Location: Conducted at Dighi Range, Khadki Military Station (Pune) under Maharashtra, Gujarat & Goa Area of Southern Command.
Participants: Exercise involved the Indian Army and 16 civil agencies, including Maharashtra Police, Force One commandos, and Fire Fighting Departments.

Key Focus Areas

SOP Validation: Simulated realistic scenarios to test Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and role clarity across agencies.
Communication Links: Checked real-time communication mechanisms between civil authorities and the Army chain of command.

{Prelims – Festivals} Lohri

Context (NOA): President Droupadi Murmu extended greetings to citizens on the occasion of Lohri.

Lohri is a popular winter harvest festival celebrated across North India, especially in Punjab, Haryana, and Himachal Pradesh.
The festival celebrates the ripening of crops; it marks the end of the winter solstice and the sun’s northward journey.
Ritual: A large bonfire is lit at sunset, symbolising the sun, Agni, and the return of warmer days. People perform parikrama around the fire and offer traditional food to express gratitude for the harvest.
Cultural Expression: Lohri highlights community bonding with folk music and dances like Bhangra and Gidda.