Current Affairs – January 19, 2026

{GS2 – Polity} Lok Sabha Speaker Can Act Unilaterally to Constitute Inquiry Committee **

• Context (IE): The Supreme Court dismissed Justice Yashwant Varma’s plea challenging the legality of the Lok Sabha Speaker’s 3-member inquiry committee under the Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968.

Background of the Case

• Accidental Discovery: A fire at Delhi High Court judge Yashwant Varma’s residence led to the accidental discovery of alleged unaccounted-for cash.
• Simultaneous Motions: Removal motions against Justice Varma were introduced in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha on the same day.
• Divergent Decisions: Lok Sabha Speaker admitted the motion, while Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman rejected the identical motion.
• Unilateral Action: Despite Rajya Sabha rejection, the Lok Sabha Speaker constituted a three-member Inquiry Committee under the Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968.

Grounds Raised by Justice Varma

• Joint Requirement: Simultaneous motions in both Houses require a joint inquiry committee; the Speaker cannot act unilaterally.
• Mutual Dependence: Rejection of the motion by the Rajya Sabha automatically invalidates the Lok Sabha’s admission of the motion.
• Authority Issue: Deputy Chairman lacks the statutory power to reject motions; only the Chairman can exercise such authority.

Rulings by the Supreme Court

• House Autonomy: Rejection by one House does not bar the other from proceeding under the Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968.
  • Section 3(2) mandates a joint committee only when both Houses admit the removal motions.
  • Treating one House’s rejection as binding would create an unconstitutional veto.
• Constitutional Power: Deputy Chairman is empowered under Article 91 to discharge the Chairman’s statutory duties during a vacancy.
• Final Holding: Lok Sabha Speaker’s unilateral constitution of the Inquiry Committee was legally valid.

Read More > Removal of Judges in India

{GS2 – MEITY} Chips to Start-up (C2S) Programme

• Context (PIB): The Chips to Start-up (C2S) Programme has delivered measurable outcomes in strengthening India’s semiconductor ecosystem.

• The C2S Programme is an umbrella capacity-building initiative launched in 2022 by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY).
• Objective: To develop industry-ready chip-design talent and strengthen India’s indigenous semiconductor design ecosystem.
• Nodal Agency: It is implemented by the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC).
• Training Target: to train 85,000 professionals at the B.Tech, M.Tech, and PhD levels in Very Large-Scale Integration (VLSI) and Embedded System Design over 5-years.
• Design Infrastructure: A centralised ChipIN Centre at C-DAC provides startups and students with remote access to expensive Electronic Design Automation (EDA) tools.
• Fabrication Support: The programme collaborates with Semiconductor Laboratory (SCL), Mohali, to offer Multi-Project Wafer (MPW) fabrication services for student designs.
• Design Democratisation: The initiative expands chip design capabilities beyond top-tier institutes, broadening participation across India’s education ecosystem.
• Key Achievements: Over 1,00,000 students have enrolled, with nearly 67,000 already trained in advanced chip design. Institutions filed 75+ patents, and 56 student-designed chips have been fabricated.

Read More > India’s Semiconductor Ecosystem

{GS2 – IR} Gaza Board of Peace **

• Context (DH | NOA): US President Donald Trump invited PM Narendra Modi to join a proposed Gaza “Board of Peace”, launched as part of the second phase of the Israel–Hamas ceasefire.

What is Trump’s “Board of Peace”?

• A proposed international body aimed at bringing lasting peace and stability in Gaza through a new transition framework, beyond short-term ceasefire management.
• It is projected as a platform not just for Gaza but potentially for wider conflict-resolution, since it is framed as a “bold new approach” to resolve global conflict.

Core Mandates of the Board

• Governance Transition: The Board is meant to guide Gaza’s transition towards stable, lawful governance after the war, reducing institutional vacuum risks.
• Funding Coordination: It is expected to coordinate international funding and channel reconstruction resources in an organised manner, rebuilding sustained multi-year financing.

Structure & Membership Design

• Heads-Only Top Tier: The top level is proposed to include only heads of state, signalling high political authority in decision-making.
• Trump-Led Framework: It is projected as being led under Trump’s leadership, indicating a US-driven architecture rather than a neutral multilateral body.

Why the Invite Matters for India?

• West Asia Leverage: India has high stakes in West Asia due to energy dependence, diaspora security and trade routes, so Gaza stability matters directly.
• Global Standing Boost: The invite signals India’s acceptability as a responsible stakeholder, and it strengthens India’s profile as a “consensus builder” rather than a bloc-aligned power.
• Diplomatic Balancing Test: Joining requires careful calibration between India’s ties with Israel and strong relations with Arab states and Iran.

Key Concerns About the Board

• Multilateral Legitimacy Risk: A US-led peace mechanism can be viewed as bypassing established UN processes and frameworks, reducing acceptability among several stakeholders.
• Representation Gap: If Gaza’s political representatives and regional actors are not meaningfully included, outcomes may lack local legitimacy.
• Scope Creep Risk: The claim that it may address wider “global conflicts” risks mission expansion beyond Gaza’s practical needs dilute focus and delaying deliverables.

{GS2 – IR} 18^th India–Japan Strategic Dialogue **

• Context (IE | TP): India and Japan concluded their 18^th Strategic Dialogue in New Delhi, co-chaired by the Indian External Affairs Minister and his Japanese counterpart.

Key Outcomes

• AI Cooperation: Concurred to establish the “Japan–India AI Strategic Dialogue” under the Japan–India AI Cooperation Initiative (JAI).
  • Japan will invite 500 highly skilled Indian AI professionals by 2030 to strengthen joint research.
• Economic Security: Agreed to establish a Private-Sector Dialogue on Economic Security in early 2026, focusing on semiconductors, critical minerals, ICT, clean energy, and pharmaceuticals.
• Critical Minerals: Decided to convene a Joint Working Group (JWG) on Critical Minerals to build resilient supply chains and reduce dependence on single-source imports.
• Defence Technology: Discussed the transfer of Unified Complex Radio Antenna (UNICORN) technology for the Indian Navy, marking progress in defence technology cooperation.
• Diplomatic Milestone: Designated 2027 as the 75thAnniversary of the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between Japan and India, highlighting the long-standing bilateral ties.

About India-Japan Relations

• Partnership Status: India and Japan elevated bilateral ties to a Special Strategic Partnership in 2014.
• Strategic Frameworks: Cooperation rests on the Joint Declaration on Security Cooperation (2008) and the Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement (ACSA, 2020) for logistics support.
• Defence Engagement: The 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue anchors security talks, complemented by regular military drills like JIMEX, Dharma Guardian, and Veer Guardian.
• Trade Relations: The 2011 CEPA liberalised trade; bilateral trade reached about USD 25.15 billion (FY 2024–25), with a trade deficit favouring Japan.
• Investments: Japan is India’s 5^th-largest FDI source, with investment of around USD 43 billion (2024).
  • Building on a JPY 5 trillion target set in 2022, the ‘Joint Vision for the Next Decade’ (2025) aims for an additional JPY 10 trillion in private investment.
• Development Cooperation: Japan has been India’s largest Official Development Assistance (ODA) donor since 1958; flagship projects include the Mumbai–Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail (MAHSR).
• Technology Linkages: Collaboration spans AI, semiconductors, ISRO–JAXA LUPEX mission, and the Clean Energy Partnership (2022).
• Demographic Alignment: To balance Japan’s ageing population and India’s youth bulge, both sides agreed to facilitate the mobility of 500,000 skilled Indian workers over five years.

Read More > India-Japan Relations

{GS3 – IE} Reserve Bank – Integrated Ombudsman Scheme (RB-IOS), 2026

• Context (TH | ET): The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) issued the Reserve Bank – Integrated Ombudsman Scheme (RB-IOS), 2026, replacing the 2021 version to enhance complaint resolution.

About RB-IOS

• RB-IOS is a free, grievance redressal mechanism to resolve customer complaints against RBI-Regulated Entities (REs) under the Alternate Grievance Redressal (AGR) framework.
• The scheme adopts a jurisdiction-neutral, unified framework for all REs, under the “One Nation – One Ombudsman” principle.
• Objective: To simplify complaint filing, standardise procedures, and ensure faster, transparent, and fair resolution of customer grievances.
• Entities Covered: Commercial banks, regional rural banks, NBFCs with assets above ₹100 crore, system participants like UPI, Credit Information Companies, and State and District Central Co-operative Banks.

Key Features of RB-IOS 2026

• Tightened Timelines: REs must submit written replies within 15 days, while complainants must approach the Ombudsman within 90 days of response expiry (previously 1 year).
• Appointments: RBI may appoint one or more of its officers as RBI Ombudsman or RBI Deputy Ombudsman, generally for a period of three years.
• CRPC Mechanism: A permanent Centralised Receipt and Processing Centre to scrutinise all physical and email complaints, ensuring uniform handling.
• Expanded Scope: The definition of “deficiency in service” now covers all services provided by regulated entities, not only financial services.
• Enhanced Compensation: There is no cap on dispute value; the Ombudsman may award up to ₹30 lakh for financial loss and ₹3 lakh for non-financial harm.
• Appeal Provision: Both complainants and REs may appeal to the Appellate Authority within 30 days.
• Ombudsman Authority: The Ombudsman may implead third-party regulated entities whose negligence contributed to service deficiency and issue non-binding advisories for early settlement.
• Increased Accountability: The RBI must publish an annual report on the functioning and activities under the scheme to enhance transparency.

{GS3 – Envi} Draft Guidelines to Regulate Religious Structures within Wildlife Sanctuaries

• Context (TH): The Standing Committee of the National Board for Wildlife (SCNBWL) issued draft guidelines to regulate religious structures inside wildlife sanctuaries.

• Trigger: The guidelines followed the 2024-2025 Balaram Ambaji Wildlife Sanctuary case in Gujarat.
  • SCNBWL revoked land diversion clearance for a religious trust after finding it lacked documented legal rights.

Draft Regulatory Guidelines

• New Structures: Any religious structure built on forest land after the enactment of the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980, is treated as encroachment.
• Expansion: Expansion of the physical footprint of existing religious structures is generally prohibited.
  • Exception: Small expansion may be allowed only to mitigate ecological conflicts or to provide essential public utilities.
• Regularisation: Legalisation of pre-1980 religious structures requires a reasoned State Government order and final MoEFCC approval.
  • Approach: Each proposal is examined individually, with no automatic or blanket approvals.
• Faith Clause: Matters of faith alone are insufficient grounds for forest land diversion under the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980.

Rules for Existing Religious Sites

• Access Permit: Entry to such religious sites usually requires a valid permit under Section 28 of the Wildlife Protection Act.
• Movement Limits: Visitor movement is prohibited after sunset within sanctuary limits.
• Construction Freeze: No new construction is allowed during maintenance activities or pilgrimage events.
• Activity Prohibition: Use of horns, loud music, firearms, and non-biodegradable materials is strictly prohibited around these structures.

Read More > Forest Governance in India

{GS3 – Envi} High Seas Treaty on Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction

• Context (EC): The High Seas Treaty formally called the Agreement on Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) entered into force on 17 Jan 2026,

• It created the first comprehensive global framework to govern biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction covering about half of Earth’s surface and ~95% of ocean volume.

About High Seas Treaty

• It is formally Agreement on Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction, and is often called the “Paris Agreement for the Ocean.”
• It was adopted in 2023 and it aims to head off a biodiversity crisis in the open ocean.
• It is the first legally binding international pact focused on protecting marine life in the high seas.
• India signed the agreement in September 2024.

Key Provisions of the BBNJ Treaty

• Marine Protected Areas (MPAs): Enables creation of MPAs in high seas, allowing conservation zones beyond national Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs).
• Marine Genetic Resources (MGRs): Regulates access and ensures fair, equitable benefit-sharing from bio-prospecting (pharma, enzymes, biotech).
• Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA): Makes EIAs mandatory for activities impacting high seas biodiversity (shipping, deep-sea mining, fishing).
• Capacity Building: Supports developing countries via marine technology transfer and technical capacity-building for implementation.

Status of Treaty

• Signatories: Signed by 145 countries, showing broad political acceptance of the treaty idea.
• Ratifiers: Ratified by 81 Parties, including the European Union and 16 EU Member States.

Significance of the High Seas Treaty

• 30×30 Target: Without protecting biodiversity beyond national jurisdiction, the world cannot realistically meet the Kunming–Montreal target of protecting at least 30% of the ocean by 2030.
• Ocean Services: A healthy high seas system sustains fisheries productivity, climate regulation and carbon sink functions, protecting food and livelihood security for millions dependent on ocean ecosystems.
• Curb Resource Rush: The treaty helps prevent uncontrolled exploitation of future high-seas resources for food, medicine, energy and biomaterials by creating rules before extraction pressures intensify.
• Protecting Global Commons: Safeguards international waters (constitute over 60% of world’s oceans).

Issues with the Treaty

• Territorial Disputes: Overlapping maritime claims, e.g. in South China Sea, hinder consensus on MPAs.
• Livelihood Concerns: Coastal communities dependent on marine resources fear economic restrictions.
• Fragmented Regulations: Conflicts with existing treaties, like the Convention on Biological Diversity, create enforcement challenges.
• EEZ Impacts: The treaty overlooks harmful activities within EEZs, such as oil and gas exploration.

Way Forward

• COP Readiness: Conduct the first COP within one year with clear operational rules for MPAs, EIAs, decision-making and compliance to avoid a treaty without enforcement.
• Equity Framework: Create transparent benefit-sharing rules for marine genetic resources so developing countries gain from high-seas bioeconomy.
• Science Pipeline: Build global baseline mapping, open biodiversity databases and monitoring protocols so that provisions are science-based and defensible against disputes.
• Capacity Support: Scale finance, technology transfer and training support to Global South.

Read More> High Seas Treaty

{Prelims – Eco} Tax Residency Certificate (TRC)

• Context (BS): The Supreme Court ruled that possession of a Tax Residency Certificate alone does not preclude scrutiny where tax avoidance allegations exist.

• About TRC: A Tax Residency Certificate (TRC) is an official document issued by a tax authority certifying residence for a specific financial year.
• Purpose: Its primary purpose is to prevent double taxation of income earned in multiple countries.
• Treaty Benefit: A TRC allows taxpayers to claim benefits under applicable Double Taxation Avoidance Agreements (DTAAs) between countries.
• Indian Criteria: In India, tax residency generally requires meeting the criteria under Section 6 of the Income Tax Act, 1961, including a 182-day stay in a financial year.

Read More > Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA)

{Prelims – Species} Royle’s pika (Ochotona roylei)

• Context (DTE): Rising temperatures and changing monsoon patterns are threatening the Royle’s pika’s survival by disrupting its specialised alpine habitat.

About Royle’s pika (Ochotona roylei)

• About Species: Royle’s pika, also known as the Himalayan mouse-hare, is a small, high-altitude mammal in the order Lagomorpha (the same order as rabbits and hares).
• Physical Traits: It has a greyish-brown body, a slightly arched head, and a distinctive chestnut-coloured head; in winter, its coat becomes duller.
• Habitat Preference: It inhabits talus slopes, alpine meadows, and open rhododendron or conifer forests at elevations between 2,400 and 5,200 metres.
• Geographic Range: Royle’s pika is endemic to the Himalayas across India, Nepal, Pakistan, and Tibet. In India, it is recorded in Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Sikkim.
• Nesting: Unlike burrowing pikas, it nests in natural crevices formed between rocks and boulders.
• Winter Activity: The species does not hibernate; It continues to forage under the snow layers.
• Diet Pattern: Royle’s pika is herbivorous, feeding on grasses, herbs, mosses, and lichens in alpine zones.
• Ecological Role: It acts as an indicator species for climate change due to its high sensitivity to temperature rise.
• Key Threats: Habitat fragmentation, climate change, population bottlenecks, invasive species, etc.
• Conservation Status: IUCN: Least Concern; WPA: Schedule I

{Prelims – Species} Second Rangewide Estimation of River Dolphins in India *

• Context (NOA | PIB): The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) launched the second range-wide estimation of riverine and estuarine dolphins under Project Dolphin.

• The survey includes the Irrawaddy dolphin for the first time, along with the Gangetic river dolphin and the Indus river dolphins.
• It will be conducted in two phases across the Ganga and Brahmaputra river systems, covering the Sundarbans and Odisha.
• The survey uses advanced tools like hydrophones for underwater acoustic monitoring.
• It will be coordinated by the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) with state forest departments and partners such as WWF-India.
• The survey will generate robust scientific data to support conservation planning and policy for India’s river ecosystems.

Read More > Population Status of River Dolphins in India – 2024

{Prelims – S&T} AI Tool for Predicting Intrinsically Disordered Protein

• Context (TH): Researchers at the National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS) created an AI tool, Disobind, to predict how intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) interact within cells.

About Intrinsically Disordered Proteins (IDPs)

• IDPs are proteins that have a dynamic, flexible form, often called “shapeshifting” proteins.
• They do not have a single folded 3D structure like traditional globular proteins.
• IDPs constitute nearly 30–40% of the total eukaryotic proteome and play central roles in cellular communication, gene regulation, and complex signalling networks.
• Disease Links: Dysfunctional IDPs are associated with cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and diabetes.

About Disobind

• Disobind is an open-source AI deep learning model that predicts how IDPs bind to partner proteins.
• It only needs amino acid sequences and no prior 3D structural data to predict interactions, allowing quick mapping of nearly any protein in the genome.
• High Accuracy: Disobind outperformed global giants like AlphaFold-Multimer and AlphaFold3 in identifying IDR binding interfaces.
• Key Applications: It facilitates the development of more precise treatments by targeting previously “undruggable” flexible protein regions.

{Prelims – In News} 21^st Rising Day of the National Disaster Response Force *

• Context (PIB): January 19, 2026, marks the 21^st Raising Day of the National Disaster Response Force, completing 20 years since its establishment.

• NDRF is a specialised Indian paramilitary force created for response to natural & man-made disasters.
• Legal Basis: It was constituted in 2006 under the Disaster Management Act, 2005.
• Administrative Control: NDRF functions under the Ministry of Home Affairs and is governed by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA).
• Composition: It comprises 16 battalions drawn on deputation from Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF).
• Operational Role: NDRF conducts search and rescue, handles CBRN disasters, trains state forces (SDRF), and runs community awareness programmes.