Daily Current Affairs 2025  

21/01/2026

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CA-21/01/2026

• Theme: “A Spirit of Dialogue” – emphasizing cooperation in a fragmented world
• Purpose: To rebuild trust, foster dialogue, and address shared global challenges

1. Cooperation in a contested world – navigating geopolitical fragmentation.
2. Unlocking new sources of growth – fostering innovation-driven economies.
3. Investing in people – prioritizing education, skills, and well-being.
4. Strengthening resilience – preparing for shocks in supply chains, health, and climate.
5. Driving sustainable innovation – balancing technology with inclusivity and sustainability.

Dimension	WEF 2026 Focus	Implications
Geopolitics	Dialogue amid fragmentation	Potential easing of tensions through multilateral cooperation
Economy	Unlocking growth	New opportunities in green tech, AI, and digital trade
Society	Investing in people	Policies for education, health, and equity
Resilience	Crisis preparedness	Stronger frameworks for climate, health, and supply chain risks
Innovation	Sustainable tech	Balancing AI, biotech, and climate solutions

• Fragmented geopolitics may limit consensus despite dialogue.
• Economic inequality could widen if growth strategies favor only advanced economies.
• Technology risks (AI misuse, data privacy, job displacement) require careful governance.
• Climate urgency demands faster action than traditional consensus-building allows.

• Promote Vocal for Local: Encourage passengers to buy indigenous goods and handicrafts.
• Market Access: Provide a platform for local artisans, craftsmen, and small businesses.
• Cultural Showcase: Highlight India’s rich heritage through station-based product displays.
• Income Generation: Create livelihood opportunities for marginalized and rural communities.

• Kanchipuram Silk Sarees – Tamil Nadu
• Madhubani Paintings – Bihar
• Pashmina Shawls – Jammu & Kashmir
• Handmade Toys – Karnataka
• Spices & Pickles – Kerala

• Logistics: Ensuring fair selection of products and transparent allotment of stalls.
• Quality Control: Maintaining authenticity and preventing counterfeit goods.
• Sustainability: Need for consistent demand and proper marketing support.
• Scalability: Expanding to more stations while keeping focus on local uniqueness.

• Objective: Improve compliance with user fee payments at toll plazas on National Highways.
• Electronic Toll Collection (ETC): Enhances efficiency of FASTag and other digital tolling systems.
• Penalty for Evasion: Stronger measures to discourage toll evasion.
• Integration with Vehicle Services:
  • Vehicle ownership transfers, fitness renewals, and commercial permits now require clearance of unpaid toll fees.
  • Mandatory disclosure of toll payment status during these processes.
• Technology-driven Transparency: Supports NHAI’s push for automated, transparent tolling systems.
• Sustained Highway Development: Ensures steady revenue flow for maintenance and expansion of the National Highway network.

• Implementation hurdles: Linking toll clearance with multiple vehicle services may cause delays if systems are not fully integrated.
• Digital divide: Smaller transport operators may face challenges adapting to mandatory electronic toll systems.
• Dispute resolution: Mechanisms for contesting wrongful toll charges need strengthening to avoid penalizing compliant users.

• For Vehicle Owners: Clearing toll dues becomes essential for any official vehicle-related transaction.
• For Transport Operators: Greater accountability and reduced scope for evasion.
• For Government/NHAI: Reliable revenue stream for highway upkeep and expansion.
• For Citizens: Potentially smoother toll operations, less congestion at plazas, and better-maintained highways.

• Apex Policy Body: IWDC is the highest-level council for deliberation and decision-making on inland waterways development in India.
• Organizer: Convened by the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways (MoPSW).
• Chairperson: Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal.
• Participants: State governments, industry stakeholders, and port authorities.

• Showcase achievements in inland water transport (cargo movement, passenger services, port connectivity).
• Launch new initiatives to expand waterways in different states.
• Outline a long-term vision emphasizing sustainability, efficiency, and stronger Centre–State coordination.
• Promote multimodal transport integration, linking waterways with rail and road networks.
• Encourage private sector participation in logistics and shipping.

• Cost-effective transport: Moving cargo by water is cheaper than road or rail.
• Eco-friendly: Lower carbon emissions compared to other modes.
• Regional development: Boosts trade and connectivity in states with navigable rivers.
• Tourism potential: Enhances passenger ferry services and river cruises.

• Infrastructure gaps: Many waterways still lack modern terminals and dredging facilities.
• Coordination issues: Centre–State alignment is crucial for smooth implementation.
• Environmental concerns: Balancing development with river ecology.
• Private investment hesitancy: Requires clear policies and incentives.

• Theme: Moving from Action to Impact — ensuring AI strengthens communities, protects the planet, and accelerates equitable progress
• Global Participation: Organizations worldwide are invited to host events within the official program
• Focus Areas: Inclusive growth, environmental sustainability, equitable access, and multilateral cooperation

• For India: Positions the country as a leader in shaping AI for social good, especially in health, education, agriculture, and empowerment.
• For Developing Nations: AI offers a chance to leapfrog traditional development pathways, expanding access to opportunities at scale.
• For Global AI Governance: The summit emphasizes multilateral action to bridge divides and ensure AI benefits humanity inclusively.

• Equity vs. Innovation: Balancing cutting-edge AI with accessibility for underserved communities.
• Global Cooperation: Ensuring diverse nations align on ethical AI standards.
• Sustainability: Addressing AI’s environmental footprint while leveraging it for climate solutions.

• Classification: On NOAA’s geomagnetic storm scale (G1–G5), G4 is severe, just one step below the most extreme (G5).
• Cause: Triggered by a coronal mass ejection (CME) or solar wind stream interacting with Earth’s magnetic field.

• Power Systems: Strong currents induced in power lines can cause voltage irregularities and transformer damage. Widespread grid disruptions are possible.
• Satellites & Spacecraft: Increased drag on satellites in low Earth orbit, potential orientation issues, and radiation damage to electronics.
• Radio & Navigation: HF radio communications degraded, occasional loss of contact; GPS accuracy can be reduced.
• Auroras: Brilliant auroras visible at much lower latitudes than usual. During similar storms, auroras have been seen as far south as Texas or southern Europe.

Storm Level Classification Typical Effects G1 Minor Weak power grid fluctuations, auroras at high latitudes G2 Moderate Possible voltage alarms, auroras visible further south G3 Strong Intermittent satellite issues, auroras as far south as Illinois G4 Severe Widespread grid problems, degraded navigation, auroras across much of the world G5 Extreme Major power outages, satellite failures, auroras globally

• Infrastructure Risk: Modern society relies heavily on satellites, GPS, and stable power grids—all vulnerable to geomagnetic storms.
• Preparedness: Utilities may take protective measures (e.g., adjusting grid load), while airlines and military operations may reroute or delay flights.
• Scientific Opportunity: Researchers use these storms to study space weather and improve prediction models.

• Family: Zingiberaceae (ginger family)
• Genus: Parakaempferia
• Discovery: Identified as a distinct species in recent botanical studies, highlighting biodiversity in tropical regions.
• Appearance: Characterized by broad green leaves and striking white blossoms, often with subtle purple markings.
• Habitat: Typically found in moist, shaded forest environments, similar to other Kaempferia species.
• Significance: Adds to the growing list of medicinal and ornamental plants in the ginger family, which includes turmeric and galangal.

• Biodiversity: The discovery of Parakaempferia alba underscores the importance of conserving tropical forests, which remain hotspots for undiscovered species.
• Medicinal Potential: Plants in the Zingiberaceae family are widely used in traditional medicine. While research on P. alba is still emerging, related species are known for anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
• Cultural Value: Ginger family plants often hold culinary and ritual importance in South and Southeast Asia.

• Operator: People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN)
• Predecessor: Type 094 (Jin-class)
• Displacement: ~20,000 tons submerged
• Propulsion: Nuclear reactor
• Armament: JL-3 SLBMs (estimated 16–24 launch tubes)
• operational as of 2026

• Stealth & Sensors: Designed with advanced quieting technology, making it harder to detect compared to Type 094.
• Range Advantage: JL-3 missiles allow China to target the continental U.S. from home waters, reducing the need for risky patrols.
• Strategic Role: Strengthens China’s nuclear deterrence by ensuring a credible second-strike capability.

• Approval & Developers: Approved by the Union Cabinet in June 2024. It will be developed by Vadhavan Port Project Limited (VPPL), a special purpose vehicle formed by Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA – 74% share) and Maharashtra Maritime Board (MMB – 26% share).

• Scale & Investment: Total project cost is ₹76,220 crore, including land acquisition. Development will involve core infrastructure, terminals, and commercial facilities under PPP mode.
• Global Ranking: On completion, it is expected to rank among the top 10 ports worldwide.
• Natural Advantage: The site has a natural depth of 20 meters just 4.5 nautical miles offshore, ideal for handling large vessels.
• Connectivity: Located ~10 km from the national railway grid and ~35–40 km from NH8, ensuring strong hinterland connectivity.

• Environmental Concerns: Dahanu region is ecologically sensitive; balancing development with sustainability will be critical.
• Local Opposition: Fishing communities and environmental groups have raised concerns about livelihood impacts.
• Execution Risks: Large-scale infrastructure projects often face delays and cost escalations.
• Global Competition: To truly rank among the top 10 ports, efficiency and global-standard logistics must be ensured.

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