Daily current affairs: 28 January 2026

Long Description : Dubbed the "mother of all deals," the India-EU FTA marks the culmination of nearly two decades of periodic negotiations. A primary highlight includes the progressive reduction of import duties on European cars from 110% to 10% over a defined period. Prime Minister Modi emphasized that the agreement will serve as a catalyst for "Viksit Bharat," significantly enhancing the competitiveness of Indian textiles, leather, and jewelry in European markets. Conversely, European luxury brands are expected to gain easier access to the Indian middle class. The deal also includes provisions for digital trade and sustainable development, signaling a strategic shift in India’s global trade posture.

Long Description : In a major shock to Indian politics, senior NCP leader and Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar died after his private aircraft crashed near his home turf, Baramati. The incident occurred on Wednesday morning as the aircraft attempted to land under conditions of low visibility. Aviation authorities confirmed that all five individuals on board, including two staff members and two crew, perished. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah expressed profound grief, describing Pawar as a "committed public servant" who wielded immense influence in Maharashtra’s administrative and cooperative sectors. A high-level probe by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has been initiated.

Long Description : During her address to both Houses of Parliament, President Droupadi Murmu underscored the vision of 'Viksit Bharat' by 2047. She invoked the legacies of leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, Ambedkar, and Patel to urge lawmakers to act as a unified force on issues concerning national sovereignty. The President highlighted the government's focus on social justice, rural empowerment, and the success of indigenous defense production. She specifically lauded the 'Swadeshi' movement’s modern iteration, noting that self-reliance in technology and manufacturing is the only path to becoming a global superpower.

Long Description : In a historic shift for India's statistical framework, the NSO has announced a dedicated survey to capture precise data on household incomes. Previously, India relied on expenditure-based surveys to estimate poverty and economic health. This new initiative aims to fill data gaps regarding the gig economy, informal sector earnings, and corporate services. By systematically measuring income, the government intends to fine-tune social welfare targeting and gain a more accurate picture of the Gini coefficient (income inequality) in the country. The data will be crucial for the upcoming 16th Five-Year Plan framework.

Long Description : To modernize the decadal Census operations, the Ministry of Home Affairs has approved the engagement of private technical experts. These professionals will work alongside government enumerators to manage digital data entry and real-time synchronization. The primary goal is to minimize the "data lag" that typically delays Census publications by years. Sources indicate that the 2026 Census will feature a "self-enumeration" option for citizens via a dedicated portal. This hybrid model—combining government authority with private technical efficiency—is expected to make this the most technologically advanced demographic exercise in the world.

Long Description : Recognizing the increasing frequency of climate risks, the RBI’s new draft framework seeks to institutionalize debt relief for individuals and businesses in disaster-prone areas. The proposal includes a moratorium on interest payments and the rescheduling of loan tenures without the "non-performing asset" (NPA) tag for a specific period. This move is designed to provide a financial safety net for farmers and MSMEs frequently affected by floods, cyclones, or droughts. The framework also encourages banks to integrate climate-risk assessments into their lending portfolios, aligning Indian banking with global ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) standards.

Long Description : Developed indigenously, the 'ASC ARJUN' (Always be Serviceable with Just Useful News) robot is equipped with motion sensors, thermal cameras, and AI-driven facial recognition. Launched officially on January 27-28, 2026, the robot is designed to patrol station premises, detect suspicious activities, and provide multi-lingual assistance to passengers. It can scan body temperatures and alert security personnel about unauthorized entries in restricted zones. This deployment marks a significant step in the Railway Ministry's "Digital Rail" initiative, aiming to integrate robotics into daily public safety management and enhance the traveler experience through automation.

Long Description : Following presidential assent to recent amendments, the Uttarakhand government has operationalized the UCC, making it the first state in independent India to do so. A key feature of the implementation is the mandatory digital registration of live-in relationships and marriages. The state launched a dedicated portal on January 28 to facilitate this process. The ordinance aims to provide equal rights to women in matters of inheritance and divorce across all communities. While the move has sparked national debate on secularism versus personal laws, the state government maintains it is a step toward constitutional morality and gender equality.

Long Description : Strengthening the "Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership," India and Russia have set an ambitious trade target of $100 billion by 2030. Currently, trade is dominated by oil and fertilizers, but the new roadmap seeks to diversify into high-tech manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, and coking coal. Discussions are also underway to resolve payment bottlenecks using the rupee-ruble mechanism and to integrate the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) with the Russian MIR payment system. This economic pivot comes as India seeks to balance its ties with Western blocs and traditional allies amidst shifting global geopolitics.

Long Description : The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has unveiled the Long Range Anti-Ship Hypersonic Missile (LR-AShM). Designed for coastal defense and naval warfare, this missile utilizes a hypersonic glide vehicle capable of traveling at speeds exceeding Mach 5. The weapon is designed to bypass advanced enemy radar and missile defense systems due to its unpredictable flight path. The successful development of LR-AShM places India in an elite group of nations possessing hypersonic technology, significantly boosting the Indian Navy's "Aatmanirbharta" in high-end precision-strike capabilities for the Indo-Pacific region.

Long Description : During a hearing regarding the verification of voters, the ECI clarified that Article 326 of the Constitution does not grant an absolute right to remain on the electoral roll. Instead, it is a "qualified right" that requires voters to continuously fulfill the criteria of citizenship and residency. The ECI’s stance comes in response to petitions challenging the deletion of names from rolls in certain border states. This clarification is pivotal for upcoming state assembly elections, as it reinforces the ECI’s power to conduct periodic "purification" of voter lists to remove non-citizens or deceased entries.

Long Description : The Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS) and the Central Sanskrit University signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to preserve India’s ancient medical heritage. The initiative will focus on locating, cataloging, and digitizing thousands of rare palm-leaf and paper manuscripts related to Ayurveda. Beyond mere preservation, the project involves translating these texts into modern languages to facilitate clinical validation of ancient treatments. This collaboration is part of the government’s broader "Ayush-Grid" project, which seeks to create a comprehensive digital repository of traditional Indian medicine for global research.

Long Description : Juspay, a leading player in India’s digital payments infrastructure, has officially entered the unicorn club. The company provides the technology backbone for many UPI transactions and mobile wallets. The new capital injection is slated for international expansion, particularly into Southeast Asia and the Middle East, and for developing AI-based fraud detection systems. This milestone is seen as a sign of the recovery of the Indian fintech sector, which had faced a "funding winter" in previous years. Analysts suggest that the India-EU FTA might further open doors for Indian fintech firms to enter European markets.

Long Description : Following a stellar year where he led India to crucial victories in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy and overseas series, Jasprit Bumrah was crowned the ICC Men's Test Cricketer of the Year on January 28, 2026. Bumrah’s ability to take wickets across varying conditions in South Africa, England, and Australia was cited as the deciding factor. He became the first Indian fast bowler to receive this specific honor, highlighting the shift in India's cricketing identity from a spin-dominant side to a world-class pace powerhouse. This recognition comes just as India prepares for the 2026 T20 World Cup.

Long Description : In a major move to reduce the compliance burden on industries, the Centre has introduced uniform consent guidelines. Previously, industries had to obtain separate permissions from various state boards under the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act and the Water Act. The new rules integrate these processes into a single-window clearance system with a longer validity period for "Green" and "White" category industries. While environmentalists have raised concerns about potential deregulation, the government asserts that the use of remote sensing and online monitoring will ensure that environmental standards are not compromised.

Long Description : The UGC’s new regulations mandate the establishment of an "Equal Opportunity Cell" in every higher educational institution. These cells will be responsible for addressing grievances related to caste-based discrimination among students and faculty. The rules also introduce mandatory "sensitization workshops" and strict penalties for institutions that fail to prevent harassment. While the regulations focus on SC/ST/OBC categories, a recent petition in the Supreme Court has challenged the exclusion of other marginalized groups. The UGC maintains that these guidelines are essential to ensure an inclusive academic environment in line with the National Education Policy 2020.