Current Affairs – January 14, 2026

{GS2 – Governance} Supreme Court Verdict on Prior Approval Clause in Anti-Corruption Law **

• Context (IE): A two-judge bench of the Supreme Court delivered a split verdict on Section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Act (PCA),1988.

• The matter has been referred to the Chief Justice of India for a larger bench due to differing opinions.

More About the Judgment

• The verdict follows a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by the Centre for Public Interest Litigation (CPIL) challenging the constitutionality of the prior approval provision.
• Reasoning Against: The provision violates Article 14, shields corrupt officials, and reinstates protections like Section 6A of the DSPE Act, previously struck down by the Supreme Court.
• Reasoning in Favour: It curbs executive pressure and coercive investigations that may deter honest and bold administrative decision-making.
• Proposed Safeguard: Prior approval powers should be vested in independent bodies such as the Lokpal or State Lokayuktas.

About Prevention of Corruption Act (PCA), 1988

• The PCA, 1988, is India’s primary legislative framework for combating corruption in public offices.
• The Act was amended in 2018 to align with the UN Convention against Corruption (UNCAC).

Key Provisions

• Section 2(c) defines ‘Public Servant’ broadly to include anyone performing public duty, such as government employees, judges, university staff, and bank officials.
• Section 3 empowers the Central and State governments to appoint dedicated judges for speedy trials.
• The 2018 amendment criminalised giving a bribe, punishable with imprisonment of up to seven years.
• Commercial organisations are liable for bribery by associated persons to secure a business advantage.
• The amendment narrowed the scope of Criminal Misconduct to fraudulent misappropriation and possession of disproportionate assets.

Read More > Prior Approval

{GS2 – MoYAS} National Sports Governance Rules, 2026

• Context (NOA): The Union Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports notified the National Sports Governance Rules, 2026, under the National Sports Governance Act, 2025.

Key Provisions of the Notified Rules

• SOM Inclusion: General Bodies of National Sports Federations must include at least four Sportspersons of Outstanding Merit (SOMs).
  • Eligibility: SOMs must be at least 25 years old and retired from active sports for at least 1 year.
  • Achievement Grading: The rules create a 10-tier achievement system prioritising Olympic and international medalists for governance roles.
• Women Quota: 50% of SOMs will be women, and Executive Committees must include at least 4 women.
• Election Oversight: A National Sports Election Panel will supervise elections to ensure free, fair, and manipulation-free processes.
• Disqualification: Persons convicted by courts and sentenced to imprisonment are barred from contesting elections and committee membership.
• Bye-law Alignment: All National Sports Bodies must amend their constitutions or bye-laws to implement the rules within six months.

Read More> National Sports Governance Act | India’s Sports Sector

{GS2 – MEITY} Indian Telecom Security Assurance Requirements

• Context (TH): MeitY clarified that the government hasn’t mandated smartphone manufacturers to disclose proprietary source code under the Indian Telecom Security Assurance Requirements (ITSAR).

About Indian Telecom Security Assurance Requirements (ITSAR)

• ITSAR are technical security standards for telecom equipment, designed to safeguard network integrity and national security.
• Authority: They are issued by the National Centre for Communication Security (NCCS) under the Department of Telecommunications (DoT).
• Application: ITSAR apply to designated telecom equipment sold, imported, or used in India that connects to telecom networks.
• Coverage: Requirements are legally binding on OEMs, importers, dealers, and telecom service providers.

Key Provisions of ITSAR

• Security: Equipment must be free of undisclosed backdoors and malware to ensure system integrity.
• Testing: Network elements will be evaluated at Telecom Security Test Laboratories before deployment.
• Crypto Control: Equipment will only use NCCS-approved cryptographic algorithms and protocols.

Proposed Provisions for Mobile Devices

• Source Disclosure: Smartphone manufacturers may be required to share proprietary source code with government-approved labs for security testing.
• App Removal: Users should be able to uninstall non-essential pre-installed apps to reduce attack surfaces.
• Log Retention: Devices will keep security logs, like system events and login records, for one year.
• Malware Scanning: Smartphone OS to include automatic and periodic malware scans.
• Update: Companies will inform NCCS before releasing major software updates or patches.

Read More> India’s Telecom Security Reforms for 2026

{GS2 – IR} U.S. Imposes 25% Tariff on Countries Engaging in Trade with Iran

• Context (TH): U.S. President Donald Trump announced a 25% tariff on any country having trade ties with Iran, effective immediately.

• Policy Rationale: The tariff is part of a “maximum pressure” campaign against Iran’s violent crackdown on nationwide anti-government protests.

Effects of Rising U.S-Iran Tensions on India

• Trade Tariffs: New US tariffs on Iran-linked entities could raise cumulative duties to 75%, making Indian exports commercially uncompetitive.
• Energy Inflation: India’s reliance on the Strait of Hormuz for 50% crude imports exposes the economy to severe oil price shocks.
• Strategic Connectivity: US sanctions could jeopardise India’s 10-year Chabahar Port contract and disrupt a key trade corridor to Central Asia.
• Diaspora Safety: Regional escalation may endanger nearly 10 million Indian nationals in the Gulf and threaten stable remittance inflows.
• Diplomatic Dilemma: As 2026 BRICS Chair, India faces a dilemma between hosting Iran’s President and protecting access to the $27 trillion US market.
• Geopolitical Shift: Reduced engagement with Tehran under US pressure may push Iran closer to China under their 25-year strategic pact.

An Overview of India-Iran Relationship

• Diplomatic Ties: India and Iran mark 75 years of formal diplomatic relations, established in 1950.
• Trade Volume: In FY 2024-25, bilateral trade reached $1.6 billion, with $1.2 billion in Indian exports.
• Export Basket: Basmati rice, organic chemicals, fruits, nuts, etc.
• Chabahar Port: India signed a landmark 10-year contract in 2024 to operate the Shahid Beheshti terminal at Chabahar.
• INSTC: India and Iran are founding members of the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), which connects India to Russia and Europe via Iran.
• Energy Import: Iran ranked among India’s top three crude oil suppliers until imports stopped in 2019 due to US sanctions.
• Strategic Convergence: Afghan stability, counter-terrorism, regional connectivity, support for a multipolar world order.
• Strategic Divergence: US sanctions, Iran–Israel tensions, China’s influence, regional proxy wars.
• Multilateral Engagement: India and Iran coordinate within BRICS, the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA), and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO).

{GS3 – IE} RBI Proposes Fresh Licensing Window for UCBs **

• Context (IE | BS): After a 22-year pause (licensing halted in 2004), the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has proposed reopening licences for Urban Co-operative Banks (UCBs).

• RBI halted UCB licensing as many of the newly licensed banks quickly turned financially unsound, and the R Gandhi Committee later advised granting licences only to financially strong credit societies.

Proposals Made by RBI

• Restart Licensing: Reopen the UCB licensing window with stricter entry norms, due to past failures among newly licensed small UCBs.
• Prefer Credit Societies: Licence mainly large co-operative credit societies with a longer track record, stronger governance and financial maturity.
• Wider Footprint: RBI stresses new UCBs need broader presence to compete with Small Finance Banks (SFBs), commercial banks and Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs).
• Multi-State Preference: Prefer multi-state co-operative credit societies as applicants; select uni-state societies may be considered if they meet wider footprint conditions.
• Consultative Process: Public feedback invited until February 13, 2026, after which RBI may issue detailed draft licensing guidelines for comments.

Eligibility Filters for Licensing

• Minimum Capital: Applicant credit society must have ₹300 crore capital as on March 31 of previous FY.
• Track Record: Must have 10 years of active operations and a 5-year good financial track record.
• Performance Trend: Must show positive, progressive financial & operational trends over the last 5 years.
• Capital Strength: Capital Adequacy Ratio must be at least 12% at the time of licence grant.
• Asset Quality: Net Non-Performing Assets (NNPA) must not exceed 3% at the time of licence grant.

Credit Societies Vs Urban Co-operative Banks

{GS3 – IE} Quick Commerce Platforms to Remove 10-Minute Delivery Advertisements

• Context (TH): Quick commerce platforms agreed to remove advertisements for 10-minute delivery after direct intervention by the Union Labour Ministry.

• Safety Concerns: The Ministry warned that rigid 10-minute timelines create unsafe pressure on delivery partners, increasing accident risks.
• Legal Framework: The move aligns with the Code on Social Security, which formally includes gig and platform workers in welfare coverage.
• Worker Protests: The decision came after nationwide strikes by gig workers on December 25 and 31, 2025, demanding safer delivery models and social security.
• Operational Reality: Fast delivery times may not change because of the high density of dark stores nearby, even if riders do not speed.
• Expectation Reset: Removing time-bound promises aims to lower customer expectations and reduce the psychological strain on delivery riders.

Read More> Gig Worker Protest Against Ultra-Fast Delivery Models

{GS3 – IS} Inter-Departmental Committee Created to Combat Digital Arrests **

• Context (TH): The Government of India informed the Supreme Court that it had set up a high-level Inter-Departmental Committee (IDC) to combat “digital arrest” scams.

• Committee Mandate: The committee examines real-time enforcement challenges and identifies regulatory gaps in cyber fraud responses.

About Digital Arrest

• Fraud Modus: Digital arrest involves scammers impersonating law-enforcement officials over video calls to extort money.
• False Custody: Victims are coerced by claims that they are under virtual custody for alleged involvement in serious crimes.
• Legal Status: There is no legal provision for “digital arrest” in India; no authority can arrest or interrogate a person via phone or video calls.
• Financial Loss: According to I4C, Indians lost about ₹1,935 crore to digital arrest scams in 2024.
• Case Surge: Reported cases nearly tripled in 2024, with over 1.2 lakh complaints related to impersonation frauds.
• Foreign Origin: Investigations show that 46% of such cyber frauds originate in the “Golden Triangle” region comprising Cambodia, Myanmar, and Laos.
• SC Order: In December 2025, the Supreme Court allowed CBI to conduct pan-India probes without requiring state consent.
• I4C Tool: The “Report and Check Suspect” tool on cybercrime.gov.in portal lets citizens verify flagged phone numbers and UPI IDs.

Read More> Digital Arrest Scams

{GS3 – DM} MHA Directive for Crowd Management **

• Context (IE): The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) directed the police chiefs of all states and Union Territories to standardise crowd management protocols.

• The directive aims to prevent loss of life and improve coordination during mega events.

Key Mandates of the Directive

• Organiser Accountability: Event organisers must submit detailed plans for crowd control, evacuation, medical aid, and surveillance.
• Documentation Norms: State police must maintain comprehensive records of logistics, deployments, and incidents during mega-events.
• Reviews & Repository: Mandatory post-event reviews to assess arrangements and operational gaps; these reviews will feed a central database to support data-driven planning and risk reduction.
• Identification Standards: Distinct dress codes for organisers and volunteers to facilitate identification during emergencies.

About Crowd Management

• Crowd management involves the planned organisation and monitoring of large gatherings to ensure safety and prevent panic.
• National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) provides the primary framework for preventing stampedes and crowd disasters.

Constitutional and Legal Framework

• Article 19(1)(b) guarantees the right to peaceful assembly, subject to reasonable restrictions in the interests of public order, and the sovereignty and integrity of India.
• The Police Act, 1861, allows authorities to regulate assemblies and set conditions for public order.
• The Disaster Management Act, 2005, authorises NDMA to issue binding crowd-safety guidelines, with penalties for non-compliance.

Read More > Crowd Management

{Prelims – Geo} Son River Water-Sharing Agreement

• Context (TS): The Bihar Cabinet approved the Son River water-sharing agreement with Jharkhand, resolving a long-standing water-sharing dispute.

• The dispute arose after Bihar’s bifurcation in 2000, with Jharkhand demanding a share of the river water.
• The agreement allotted 2.00 million acre-feet (MAF) of the 7.75 MAF of Son River water to Jharkhand, revising the earlier Bansagar Accord.
  • The Bansagar Accord was a 1973 agreement among Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and Bihar for Son River development and Bansagar Dam operations.
• The agreement clears the long-delayed Indrapuri Reservoir Project and enhances irrigation across eight districts in Bihar.
  • The Indrapuri Reservoir Project is a multipurpose project on the Son River linking Matiawan village (Bihar) with Kadwan village (Jharkhand).

{Prelims – IR} Indian Diplomat to Chair UN Disarmament Advisory Board *

• Context (FP): Indian diplomat DB Venkatesh Varma has been nominated to chair the Advisory Board on Disarmament Matters (ABDM) for the 2026–27 term.

• The nomination marks the first time an Indian national will hold this position.
• Established in 1978, it provides high-level expertise to the United Nations on international security and arms control.
• It provides guidance on implementing the UN Disarmament Information Programme.
• The Board members serve as Trustees of the United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR), overseeing its program, personnel, and finances.
• Members: The Board has 15 members appointed by the UN Secretary-General from around the world.

{Prelims – IR} Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of the Commonwealth *

• Context (NOA | DH): India is hosting the 28^th Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of the Commonwealth (CSPOC) in New Delhi.

• It marks the highest participation from over 60 Commonwealth and semi-autonomous Parliaments.
• Focus Areas: Integrating artificial intelligence (AI) and social media into legislatures, public engagement with parliaments, and the safety of Members.
• Significance: This is the fourth time India has hosted CSPOC, highlighting its leadership in Commonwealth parliamentary traditions.

About CSPOC

• It is an independent forum of Speakers and Presiding Officers, with no formal affiliation to the Commonwealth Secretariat or the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA).
• CSPOC was established in 1969 at the initiative of Lucien Lamoureux, then Speaker of the Canadian House of Commons. The permanent CSPOC secretariat is based in Canada.
• Objective: To foster impartial and independent presiding officers, promote parliamentary democracy, and strengthen parliamentary institutions across member nations.
• Membership: Open only to Speakers and Presiding Officers of national parliaments of sovereign Commonwealth states.
• Governance: A Standing Committee, chaired by the Speaker of the host country’s lower house, manages CSPOC’s affairs and agenda.
• Meeting: CSPOC convenes a full-membership conference every two years and an annual Standing Committee meeting in the intervening year.

Read More > About Commonwealth

{Prelims – Defence} Man-Portable Anti-Tank Guided Missile (MPATGM) *

• Context (TH): Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully flight-tested the Man-Portable Anti-Tank Guided Missile (MPATGM) against a moving target.

• MPATGM is an indigenous third-generation, fire-and-forget, anti-tank guided missile designed to destroy modern main battle tanks and armoured vehicles.
• The system is developed by DRDO, with Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) and Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) as lead manufacturing partners.
• Range & Weight: The missile has a range of 200 metres to 4 kilometres and weighs under 30 kg, making it operable by a two-person crew.
• Guidance System: It uses a fire-and-forget mechanism with a miniaturised Imaging Infrared (IIR) homing seeker, enabling day-and-night combat capability.
• Warhead Capability: The missile has a tandem high-explosive anti-tank (HEAT) warhead that can penetrate the main armour after the reactive armour.
• Launch Flexibility: MPATGM can be fired from a man-portable tripod or integrated with military vehicle-mounted launchers.
• Significance: It marks a key milestone toward the induction of advanced anti-tank weapon systems in the Indian Army and strengthens Aatmanirbhar Bharat in defence technology.

{Prelims – S&T} First Satellite Mountain Township of Himachal Pradesh

• Context (IE): Jathiya Devi will be developed as the first satellite mountain township in Himachal Pradesh by the Himachal Pradesh Housing and Urban Development Authority (HIMUDA).

• It aims to decongest Shimla, create new economic hubs, and promote disaster-resilient urban growth.
• It includes planned housing for various income groups, commercial zones, non-polluting industrial zones, and designated green spaces.
• The project envisages incorporating smart features and green initiatives to align with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
• Key Concern: The draft Social Impact Assessment (2025) highlights significant risks of displacement, livelihood disruption, loss of agricultural land, and social infrastructure.

{Prelims – S&T} Microsoft Report on AI Adoption

• Context (IE): The Microsoft AI Economy Institute (AIEI) released the AI Diffusion Report 2025 (H2), outlining the global landscape of generative AI adoption.

Key Highlights of the Report

• Global Adoption: It increased by 1.2% in H2 2025, with nearly 1 in 6 people using these tools.
• Global Leaders: UAE leads with a 64.0% adoption rate, followed by Singapore at 61%.
• Digital Divide: Higher-income “Global North” countries have an adoption rate of 25%, almost twice that of the “Global South” at 14%.
• DeepSeek Effect: China’s open-source, free-to-use DeepSeek has lowered entry barriers in markets such as Africa and the Global South
• Usage–Leadership Gap: The United States leads in AI research but ranks 24^th in population-wide usage, with a diffusion rate of 28.3%.
• India-Specific Findings:
  • India ranks 64^th in generative AI adoption, with diffusion rate rising from 14.2% to 15.7% in 2025.
  • India’s AI adoption lags behind China, Brazil, Germany, Japan, and the US.

Read More > Generative AI and Future of Creativity | India’s AI Landscape