Daily Current Affairs (20 – Jan – 26)

Daily Current Affairs (20 – Jan – 26)

1. Board of Peace for Gaza –

• Recently, the U.S. President Donald Trump invited India to join the proposed Board of Peace for Gaza.

About the Board of Peace for Gaza

• It is a U.S.-led, invitation-only mechanism proposed under President Trump’s Gaza peace plan to oversee post-conflict governance, stabilisation, and reconstruction in Gaza.
• It represents a shift towards ad hoc conflict-management arrangements outside traditional UN-centric frameworks.
• Origin: It was first proposed in October 2025.
• UN Backing: UNSC Resolution 2803, which authorised supervision of Gaza’s transition till 2027

Objectives

• Supervise Gaza’s transitional governance through a technocratic, apolitical Palestinian administration.
• Ensure stabilisation and reconstruction, including management of international funding.
• Oversee arrangements until the Palestinian Authority completes institutional reforms.
• Act as a potential global template for conflict resolution amid UN Security Council paralysis.

Members of the Board

• Chair: S. President Donald Trump.
• Composition: Select invited countries and global leaders, including figures like former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair.
• Nature:Non-universal with invitation-based body membership.

2. A Decade of Startup India –

• January 16, 2026, marks the 10th Anniversary (National Startup Day) of the Startup India Initiative. 

About Startups

• Meaning: A startup is a newly established, innovation-driven business created to solve a specific problem with a scalable product or service, with the potential for rapid growth.

About National Startup Day

• National Startup Day Declaration:January 16 was officially designated as National Startup Day in 2022 to provide national recognition to entrepreneurs and innovators across India.
• Ten-Year Milestone: The 2026 observance marks the completion of a decade of this initiative, reflecting sustained policy continuity and the growing maturity of India’s startup ecosystem.
• Startups in India: In the Indian regulatory context, a Startup is an entity incorporated as a Private Limited Company, a Partnership Firm, or a Limited Liability Partnership (LLP).

To be recognized by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), the entity must:

• Be within Ten Years of its date of incorporation.
• Have an annual turnover not exceeding ₹100 Crore in any previous financial year.
• Focus on the Innovation, Development, or Improvement of products or services, or possess a Scalable Business Model with a high potential for Employment Generation.

3. IMF Forecasts Steady Global Growth in 2026 as AI Boom Counters Trade Pressures –

• The global economy is expected to remain resilient in 2026 despite trade uncertainties and geopolitical risks. According to the latest outlook by the International Monetary Fund, rapid investment in artificial intelligence is helping offset tariff-related pressures and supply chain disruptions. The IMF believes this technology-led momentum will support stable growth across major economies in the coming

Why in News?

• The IMF has raised its global growth forecast for 2026 to 3.3%. The upgrade is driven mainly by strong AI investment and easing trade tensions, especially in the US.

IMF’s Latest Global Growth Projections

• In its updated World Economic Outlook, the International Monetary Fund projected global GDP growth of 3.3% in 2026, up by 0.2 percentage points from its October estimate.
• Growth in 2025 is also expected at 3.3%, slightly higher than earlier forecasts.
• The IMF sees 2027 growth at 3.2%, indicating steady but moderate expansion in the global economy.

4. India on Track to an Upper-Middle-Income Nation –

• India is moving steadily towards a major economic milestone. According to a recent analysis by the State Bank of India, the country is expected to enter the upper-middle-income category by the end of this decade. Rising per capita income, strong GDP growth and structural reforms are placing India among the world’s fastest-growing large economies.

Why in News?

• A report by State Bank of India projects India’s per capita income to reach $4,000 by 2030. This would shift India into the upper-middle-income category under World Bank classifications.

About Upper Middle Income

• The World Bank classifies countries based on per capita Gross National Income (GNI).
• Economies are grouped as low income, lower-middle income, upper-middle income and high income.
• The current threshold for the upper-middle-income group is around $4,000-4,500 per capita GNI.
• Once India crosses this level, it will join countries like China and Indonesia, reflecting higher living standards and stronger economic capacity.

India’s Income Journey Since 1990

• India’s transition has been gradual but steady. In 1962, India’s per capita GNI was about $90.
• It took nearly six decades to move into the lower-middle-income category in 2007, when GNI reached around $910.
• Since then, income growth has accelerated.
• Per capita income crossed $1,000 in 2009, doubled to $2,000 by 2019, and is expected to reach $3,000 in 2026, showing a clear upward trajectory.

5. India and UAE Set $200 Billion Trade Target by 2032, Deepen Strategic Partnership –

• India and the United Arab Emirates have taken a major step to strengthen their economic and strategic ties. During delegation-level talks in New Delhi, both nations agreed to double bilateral trade to 200 billion dollars by 2032. The meeting also resulted in multiple agreements across defence, space, energy, infrastructure and cultural cooperation, reflecting the deepening India–UAE partnership.

Why in News?

• India and the UAE agreed to double bilateral trade to $200 billion by 2032. Several agreements were signed during talks between Narendra Modi and Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in New Delhi.

Trade Expansion and Economic Vision

• The decision to double bilateral trade to $200 billion by 2032 highlights the growing economic interdependence between India and the UAE.
• The UAE is one of India’s largest trading partners and a key gateway to West Asia and Africa.
• This ambitious target builds on the momentum created by recent trade facilitation measures and investment flows.
• Both countries aim to diversify trade beyond traditional sectors by strengthening cooperation in manufacturing, energy, logistics, technology and services, ensuring long-term and resilient economic growth.

MCQ Quiz

Q1. Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS), that was recently seen in news, is classified as which type of disease ?

1. a) Autoimmune neurological disorder
2. b) Respiratory disease
3. c) Cardiovascular disease
4. d) Infectious bacterial disease

Q2. Bor Tiger Reserve is located in which state ?

1. a) Maharashtra
2. b) Gujarat
3. c) Karnataka
4. d) Kerala

Q3. Dardanelles Strait, that was recently seen in news, is located in which country ?

1. a) Greece
2. b) Bulgaria
3. c) Italy
4. d) Turkey

Q4. Consider the following statements regarding the Blue Economy in India:

1. India’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) covers more than 2 million sq. km.
2. Nearly 95% of India’s merchandise trade by volume is carried through maritime routes.
3. The marine sector contributes more than 10% to India’s GDP.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

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

Explanation-

• Statement 1 – Correct: India’s EEZ extends over 2 million sq. km, providing vast potential for fisheries, energy, and minerals.
• Statement 2 – Correct: About 95% of India’s trade by volume is maritime, highlighting oceanic strategic importance.
• Statement 3 – Incorrect:The marine sector contributes around 4% of GDP, not more than 10%.

Q5. With reference to the Bhairav Battalions of the Indian Army, consider the following statements:

1. They are specialised strategic forces meant exclusively for deep penetration missions in enemy territory.
2. They are designed to bridge the operational gap between Para Special Forces and regular infantry units.
3. They are optimised for rapid response and short-notice offensive operations.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

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

Explanation-

• Statement 1 – Incorrect:Deep strategic missions remain the role of Para Special Forces. Bhairav Battalions focus on rapid, tactical-to-operational level offensives.
• Statement 2 – Correct: Bhairav units function as an intermediate force, filling the gap between Ghatak platoons and Para SF.
• Statement 3 – Correct: They are designed for immediate border contingencies and short-notice offensives.