CURRENT AFFAIRS 25-26 January, 2026

CURRENT AFFAIRS 25-26 January, 2026

1. INDIA’S POWER SECTOR MILESTONES 2025 –

• The year 2025 proved to be a landmark period for the Ministry of Power, as India’s power sector achieved record milestones, establishing a strong foundation for sustainable growth and enhanced energy security.

What are the Key Achievements of the Ministry of Power in the Year 2025?

• Record Supply & Reliability: Successfully met an all-time peak power demand of 242.49 GW in FY 2025-26, reducing national energy shortages to a mere 0.03% from 4.2% in 2013-14. It significantly increased rural and urban power availability to 22.6 and 23.4 hours, respectively.
• India’s power sector is poised for massive growth with a projected investment of USD 450 billion by 2032.
• Massive Capacity Expansion: Total installed power generation capacity surged to around 509 GW (as of November, 2025), a 104.4% increase since 2014, with 55.57 GW added in 2025.
• Renewable energy capacity additions since 2014 stand at 178 GW, including 130 GW solar and 33 GW wind.

2. 42ND CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT ACT, 1976: THE ‘MINI CONSTITUTION’ OF INDIA EXPLAINED-

• The 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1976 is one of the most significant changes ever made to the Indian Constitution. Enacted during the Emergency period, it brought wide-ranging amendments affecting the Preamble, judiciary, Parliament, and Centre–State relations, earning it the title of “Mini Constitution” due to its extensive scope.

Background of the 42nd Constitutional Amendment

• The amendment was enacted in 1976, during the Emergency (1975–77), when the country was governed by Indira Gandhi. The ruling Congress government aimed to strengthen parliamentary supremacy and implement its socio-economic vision through constitutional changes. The scale and depth of amendments made it historically unparalleled.

Why Is It Called the ‘Mini Constitution’?

• The 42nd Amendment touched almost every major aspect of the Constitution.
• It amended the Preamble, Fundamental Rights, and Directive Principles.
• It reshaped Centre–State relations.
• It curtailed the powers of the Supreme Court and High Courts.
• It introduced Fundamental Duties for citizens.
• Because of these comprehensive changes, scholars refer to it as the Mini Constitution.

3. PRESIDENT APPROVES ASHOK CHAKRA FOR GROUP CAPTAIN SHUBHANSHU SHUKLA –

• India has recognised extraordinary courage and service by its armed forces through a major announcement of gallantry and service awards. The President has approved a wide range of decorations, honouring personnel from the Army, Navy, and Air Force. Among these, the conferment of the Ashok Chakra, the country’s highest peacetime gallantry award, stands out as a landmark recognition.

Why in News?

• Droupadi Murmu has approved gallantry awards for 70 Armed Forces personnel, including the Ashok Chakra for Shubhanshu Shukla, along with several other gallantry and distinguished service medals.
• Ashok Chakra for Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla
• Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla has been awarded the Ashok Chakra, India’s highest peacetime gallantry award.
• He made history by becoming the first Indian to visit the International Space Station, marking a milestone in India’s aerospace and defence-linked achievements.
• The award recognises exceptional courage, leadership, and contribution beyond the call of duty.
• The Ashok Chakra is awarded for acts of valour, self-sacrifice, or devotion to duty away from the battlefield, underscoring the national importance of his achievement.

4. WHY JANUARY 26? THE STORY BEHIND “PURNA SWARAJ” AND REPUBLIC DAY –

• India celebrates Republic Day on January 26 every year to mark the day the Constitution of India came into effect in 1950. But this date was not chosen randomly. Its roots lie in a powerful moment from India’s freedom struggle — the declaration of Purna Swaraj, meaning complete independence, in 1930. The connection between that historic resolution and the birth of the Republic gives January 26 deep national importance.

What Was Purna Swaraj?

• During the late 1920s, India’s freedom movement reached a turning point. The British government had offered dominion status, which meant limited self-governance under the British Crown. However, Indian leaders felt this fell short of their aspirations. They demanded full independence.
• At the Lahore Session of the Indian National Congress in December 1929, leaders officially adopted the goal of Purna Swaraj as India’s national objective. This was the first time the Congress formally declared that complete freedom from British rule was its ultimate aim.
• January 26, 1930: India’s First “Independence Day”
• After passing the resolution, the Congress decided that January 26, 1930, would be observed across India as Independence Day. On that day:
• People across the country took a pledge of complete independence
• The national flag was hoisted
• Public meetings were held to spread the message of self-rule

5. PUNJAB GOVERNMENT INTRODUCES MUKHYA MANTRI SEHAT YOJANA FOR FREE CASHLESS MEDICAL CARE –

• The Punjab government has started a major healthcare scheme called Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana. Under this scheme, every family in the state will get free and cashless medical treatment worth up to ₹10 lakh. The aim is to make quality healthcare available to all residents without worrying about hospital expenses.

Who Launched the Scheme?

• The scheme was officially launched in Mohali by Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann along with AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal. Both leaders said the scheme would bring a big change in Punjab’s healthcare system and help people from all income groups.

Who will Get the Benefit?

• This health insurance scheme will cover all 65 lakh families of Punjab, which means nearly three crore people will benefit.
• Any resident of Punjab who has:
• An Aadhaar card
• A Voter ID card
• can avail the benefits of this scheme. There is no income limit, which makes it different from earlier health schemes.

MCQ QUIZ

Q1.   Phulkari embroidery, that was recently seen in news, originated in which region ?

1. a) Rajasthan and Gujarat b) Maharashtra and Karnataka
2. c) Punjab and Haryana d) Uttar Pradesh and Bihar

Q2.   ‘Parakram Diwas’ is observed to commemorate the birth anniversary of which freedom fighter ?

1. a) Mahatma Gandhi b) Bhagat Singh
2. c) Subhas Chandra Bose d) Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel

Q3.   Who has been selected for the Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development for 2025 ?

1. a) Ellen Johnson Sirleaf b) Graca Machel
2. c) Winnie Madikizela-Mandela d) Leymah Gbowee

Q4.   With reference to the C-295 aircraft, consider the following statements:

1. It is a medium-range, twin-engine turboprop tactical transport aircraft.
2. It was originally designed by Airbus Defence and Space.
3. It is capable of operating from short and unprepared runways.

          Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

1. a) 1 and 2 only b) 1 and 3 only
2. c) 2 and 3 only d) 1, 2, and 3

Explanation-

• Statement 1 – Correct: The C-295 is explicitly described as a medium-range, twin-engine turboprop tactical transport aircraft.
• Statement 2 – Incorrect: The aircraft was originally designed by CASA (Spain), which is now part of Airbus Defence and Space.
• Statement 3 – Correct: Its ability to perform across varied environments and runway conditions includes short and semi-prepared runways.

Q5.   Consider the following statements regarding the PLI Scheme for White Goods:

          Statement I: The scheme provides incentives to manufacturers based on the incremental sales of finished Air Conditioners and LED Lights.

          Statement II: The primary objective of the scheme is to reduce import dependence by encouraging the domestic manufacturing of high-value and core components.

          Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements ?

1. a) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-I
2. b) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is not the correct explanation for Statement-I
3. c) Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect
4. d) Statement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct

Explanation-

• In the context of the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for White Goods, Statement I is incorrect because the scheme does not provide incentives for the assembly of finished goods (end-products). Instead, it targets the manufacturing of components and sub-assemblies. For Air Conditioners, this includes high-value intermediates like compressors and copper tubes; for LED lights, it includes LED chip packaging and ICs. The goal is to move away from “screw-driver electronics” toward deep manufacturing.
• Statement II is correct. The scheme’s core design is to deepen the domestic supply chain and reduce strategic dependence on imports. By focusing on capital-intensive core inputs that drive value addition, the government aims to create a robust industrial ecosystem in India.
• The scheme uses FY 2019-20 as the base year to measure performance. The incentives (ranging from 4% to 6%) are paid on the incremental sales of goods manufactured in India. By selecting companies for a fourth round of investments, the government is signaling a long-term commitment to the “Atmanirbhar Bharat” initiative. The scheme is monitored by the Empowered Group of Secretaries (EGoS), ensuring high-level accountability and fiscal discipline within the approved outlay of ₹6,238 crore.

Answer Key