🗞️ Why in News January 14, 2026 (Makar Sankranti) was a major news day: ISRO’s PSLV-C62 suffered India’s second consecutive launch failure losing 16 satellites, the 28th CSPOC Commonwealth Speakers’ Conference opened in New Delhi, India launched its BRICS 2026 Chairship logo, and the 38th India-France Strategic Dialogue was held. Virat Kohli became the second-highest run-scorer in international cricket history during an ODI in Vadodara.

Makar Sankranti 2026 — The Solar Festival

Makar Sankranti (January 14, 2026) is one of the few Indian festivals governed by the solar calendar — marking the Sun’s transit into Capricorn (Makara Rashi) at 3:13 PM IST. Known as Uttarayan in Gujarat, Pongal in Tamil Nadu (Thai Pongal on Jan 15), Magh Bihu in Assam, and Khichdi in UP/Bihar. Lohri was celebrated in Punjab on January 13. The Gangasagar Mela at Sagar Island, West Bengal, drew over 20 lakh pilgrims.

UPSC Angle (GS-1): Indian culture — solar vs lunar calendar; harvest festivals; regional diversity.

PSLV-C62 Mission Failure — India’s Second Consecutive PSLV Failure

ISRO’s PSLV-C62 failed on January 12, 2026 (widely analysed January 13–14). Launched from Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota at 10:17 AM IST, the rocket suffered a roll-rate disturbance in Stage 3 just before stage separation — causing loss of flight control. All 16 satellites were lost.

  • The suborbital trajectory reached approximately -3,800 × 390 km; debris impacted near 75°E, 18°S in the Southern Indian Ocean
  • Payloads lost: Earth observation satellite EOSN1 + 15 co-passenger satellites from DRDO, Nepal, Spain, Mauritius, Brazil
  • Only survivor: Spanish re-entry capsule “KID” — separated and transmitted data for 3 minutes before impact
  • Second consecutive PSLV failure — PSLV-C61 (May 2025) also failed due to a Stage 3 anomaly
  • ISRO Chairman: V. N. Narayanan

UPSC Angle (GS-3): PSLV (4-stage, solid-liquid alternating propulsion); India’s space economy; ISRO accountability; implications for commercial launch market.

28th CSPOC Inaugurated in New Delhi

The 28th Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of the Commonwealth (CSPOC) commenced on January 14, 2026 in New Delhi, running through January 16. PM Modi inaugurated it on January 15 in the Central Hall of Samvidhan Sadan.

  • Presided over by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla (Chairperson, CPA India Region)
  • 61 Speakers and Presiding Officers from 45+ Commonwealth Parliaments attended
  • Deputy Chairman Rajya Sabha: Harivansh Narayan Singh co-hosted
  • Topics: AI in Parliaments, role of Speakers in democracy, social media impact on MPs, safety of parliamentarians

UPSC Angle (GS-2): Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA); Lok Sabha Speaker’s role; Parliament governance.

BRICS India 2026 Logo and Website Launched

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar launched India’s official BRICS India 2026 logo, theme, and website (brics2026.gov.in).

  • India assumed the BRICS Chairship for 2026 from Brazil
  • Theme: “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability”
  • Logo: Petals in BRICS member colours with a Namaste gesture at the centre
  • India will host the 18th BRICS Summit in 2026
  • BRICS now has 10 members after the 2023 Johannesburg enlargement (Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, UAE added)

UPSC Angle (GS-2): India’s multilateral diplomacy; BRICS expansion; Global South leadership; India as BRICS Chair.

38th India-France Strategic Dialogue

The 38th India-France Strategic Dialogue was held on January 13, 2026 in New Delhi, co-chaired by NSA Ajit Doval and French President’s Diplomatic Adviser Emmanuel Bonne.

  • Focus: defence industrial cooperation, civil nuclear energy, space, Indo-Pacific security
  • Joint declaration: strengthen bilateral defence industrial cooperation under Atmanirbhar Bharat
  • Context: dialogue held ahead of a forthcoming visit by French President Emmanuel Macron to India
  • India-France Strategic Partnership: established 1998

UPSC Angle (GS-2): India-France relations; Rafale deal; defence indigenisation; Indo-Pacific cooperation.

National Sports Governance Rules 2026 Notified

The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports notified the National Sports Governance (National Sports Bodies) Rules, 2026 under the National Sports Governance Act, 2025.

  • At least 4 Sportspersons of Outstanding Merit (SOMs) mandatory in every National Sports Body (NSB) General Body
  • 50% of SOMs must be women in the General Body; at least 4 women in the Executive Committee
  • SOM eligibility: minimum age 25; retired from active sport; must not have competed for at least 1 year
  • NSBs must amend bye-laws within 6 months
  • Aligned with Olympic Charter standards

UPSC Angle (GS-2): Sports governance reforms; athlete representation; gender mandates in sports administration.

Gati Shakti Cargo Terminals — Logistics Cost at 7.97% of GDP

PIB released data on the Gati Shakti Multi-Modal Cargo Terminals (GCTs) programme:

  • 306 GCTs approved; 118 commissioned (as of January 2026)
  • Total combined capacity: 192 million tonnes per annum
  • Logistics cost: reduced to 7.97% of GDP (down from ~14% pre-reform)
  • Freight revenue from GCTs: Rs 12,608 crore in 2024-25 (4-fold increase from 2022-23)
  • Private investment: ~Rs 8,600 crore
  • CO₂ saved: 143.3 million tonnes

UPSC Angle (GS-3): PM GatiShakti NMP (launched October 2021); National Logistics Policy 2022; multimodal logistics.

Kaimur Tiger Reserve — Bihar’s Second Tiger Reserve Approved

Bihar government approved the revised proposal to notify Kaimur Wildlife Sanctuary as a Tiger Reserve, sending it to NTCA for final clearance.

  • Location: Kaimur district, Bihar — Bihar’s largest forest area
  • Would become Bihar’s second tiger reserve (after Valmiki Tiger Reserve, West Champaran)
  • Central in-principle approval received: October 8, 2024

UPSC Angle (GS-3): Project Tiger (1973); NTCA; India’s 2022 tiger census (3,167 tigers); eastern India corridors.

India’s Fish Production Doubles in a Decade

Ministry of Fisheries data confirmed India’s fish production doubled in 10 years:

  • FY 2013-14: 95.79 lakh tonnes → FY 2024-25: 197.75 lakh tonnes (+106%)
  • India: 2nd largest fish producer globally; contributes 8% of global output
  • 2nd in aquaculture production; 1st in shrimp production and export
  • Seafood exports: all-time high of Rs 62,408 crore (US$ 7,453.73 million) in 2024-25
  • Employment generated since 2014-15: 74.66 lakh (direct + indirect)
  • 38% growth since PMMSY launch (2020)

UPSC Angle (GS-3): Blue Economy; PMMSY (Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana; Rs 20,050 crore; 2020); fish production targets.

IndiaAI Mission × UP MoU — 65 AI Labs

IndiaAI Mission (MeitY/Digital India Corporation) signed an MoU with UPDESCO (UP Development Systems Corporation) to set up 65 Data and AI Labs across Uttar Pradesh.

  • Signed by: Abhishek Singh (CEO, IndiaAI Mission) and Anurag Yadav (Principal Secretary IT & Electronics, UP)
  • Goal: hands-on AI training; India’s largest state-level AI skilling ecosystem
  • Two AI labs already operational: NIELIT centres in Lucknow and Gorakhpur
  • IndiaAI Mission approved: April 2024; outlay: Rs 10,372 crore

UPSC Angle (GS-3): Digital India; AI governance; skilling ecosystem; MeitY.

WPI Inflation — December 2025 at 0.83%

Office of the Economic Adviser released WPI data for December 2025:

  • WPI inflation: 0.83% year-on-year (turning positive after two months of deflation)
  • Month-on-month change: +0.71% over November 2025
  • Drivers: manufacturing, minerals, machinery, food products, textiles
  • WPI base year: 2011-12; compiled at weighted response rate of 82.7%

UPSC Angle (GS-3): WPI vs CPI differences; inflation measurement; role of Office of Economic Adviser (Ministry of Commerce).

Virat Kohli — 2nd Highest Run-Scorer in International Cricket

During India vs. New Zealand 1st ODI in Vadodara, Virat Kohli scored 93 and surpassed Kumar Sangakkara to become the 2nd highest run-scorer in international cricket history.

  • Kohli’s tally: 28,068 runs (Tests + ODIs + T20Is; 624 innings)
  • Sangakkara’s tally surpassed: 28,016 runs (666 innings)
  • Only player ahead: Sachin Tendulkar — 34,357 runs
  • Also became the fastest to 28,000 international runs

Persons in News

S. Jaishankar — EAM; launched BRICS India 2026 logo and website. Ajit Doval — NSA; co-chaired 38th India-France Strategic Dialogue. V. N. Narayanan — ISRO Chairman; presided over PSLV-C62 failure review. Om Birla — Lok Sabha Speaker; presiding over 28th CSPOC, New Delhi.

UPSC Relevance

Prelims: PSLV-C62 (64th PSLV flight; Stage 3 anomaly; 16 satellites; EOSN1; ISRO Chairman V.N. Narayanan); 28th CSPOC (New Delhi; 45+ Commonwealth Parliaments; Om Birla); BRICS India 2026 (theme; logo; 18th Summit; brics2026.gov.in; 10 members); 38th India-France Dialogue (Ajit Doval; 1998 strategic partnership); National Sports Governance Rules 2026; Kaimur (Bihar’s 2nd tiger reserve); WPI 0.83% December 2025; Kohli 28,068 runs (2nd); Gati Shakti GCTs 7.97% GDP logistics cost; IndiaAI Mission Rs 10,372 crore.

Mains GS-2: Commonwealth Parliamentary Association and role of Speakers; India-France strategic partnership evolution; BRICS expansion and India’s Chairship; sports governance reforms.

Mains GS-3: PSLV consecutive failures — implications for India’s commercial space sector; Blue Economy and fisheries data; PM GatiShakti NMP outcomes; IndiaAI Mission implementation.

📌 Facts Corner — Knowledgepedia

PSLV-C62 Failure:

  • Launch: January 12, 2026; 10:17 AM IST; Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota
  • Failure: Roll-rate disturbance in Stage 3 (before stage separation); loss of flight control
  • Payload: EOSN1 (earth observation) + 15 co-passenger satellites (DRDO, Nepal, Spain, Mauritius, Brazil)
  • 2nd consecutive PSLV failure (PSLV-C61 in May 2025 was the first; both Stage 3 anomalies)
  • PSLV (Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle): 4-stage; alternating solid-liquid propulsion; workhorse of ISRO
  • ISRO Chairman: V. N. Narayanan

28th CSPOC:

  • Full form: Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of the Commonwealth
  • Venue: New Delhi; dates January 14-16, 2026; inaugurated by PM Modi on Jan 15
  • Hosted by: Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla (Chairperson, CPA India Region)
  • Participants: 61 Speakers/Presiding Officers; 45+ Commonwealth Parliaments
  • CPA: Commonwealth Parliamentary Association; founded 1911; promotes parliamentary governance

BRICS India 2026:

  • BRICS members (10): Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa + Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, UAE (added 2024)
  • India’s Chairship: assumed from Brazil; 18th Summit to be hosted by India in 2026
  • Theme: Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability
  • Website: brics2026.gov.in; Logo: Namaste gesture with BRICS member colour petals
  • BRICS Three Pillars: Political & Security / Economic & Financial / People-to-People

India-France Strategic Partnership:

  • Established: 1998
  • 38th Strategic Dialogue: Jan 13, 2026; Ajit Doval + Emmanuel Bonne
  • Focus: defence industry, nuclear, space, Indo-Pacific
  • Rafale deal: 36 aircraft delivered; additional naval Rafale-M procurement underway

National Sports Governance Rules 2026:

  • Notified under: National Sports Governance Act, 2025
  • Mandatory SOMs: 4 per National Sports Body (NSB)
  • Women quota: 50% of SOMs + 4 women in Executive Committee
  • SOM age: minimum 25, retired, not competed for at least 1 year
  • Compliance deadline: 6 months to amend bye-laws

Gati Shakti GCTs:

  • GCT: Gati Shakti Multi-Modal Cargo Terminal
  • Approved: 306; Commissioned: 118 (as of Jan 2026)
  • Capacity: 192 million tonnes/year
  • Logistics cost: 7.97% of GDP (from ~14% pre-reform)
  • PM GatiShakti NMP launched: October 2021
  • National Logistics Policy: 2022

India Fish Production:

  • FY 2013-14: 95.79 lakh tonnes → FY 2024-25: 197.75 lakh tonnes (106% growth)
  • India ranking: 2nd largest producer (8% global share); 1st in shrimp exports
  • Seafood exports: Rs 62,408 crore / US$ 7,453.73 million (FY 2024-25)
  • PMMSY: Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana; Rs 20,050 crore outlay; launched 2020

IndiaAI Mission:

  • Approved: April 2024; Outlay: Rs 10,372 crore
  • UP MoU: 65 AI Labs via UPDESCO; nodal: Lucknow
  • Parent body: Digital India Corporation under MeitY

Virat Kohli — Cricket Record:

  • Record: 2nd highest run-scorer in international cricket (all formats)
  • Tally: 28,068 runs in 624 innings
  • Surpassed: Kumar Sangakkara (Sri Lanka) — 28,016 runs in 666 innings
  • Only ahead: Sachin Tendulkar — 34,357 runs
  • Venue: India vs New Zealand 1st ODI; Vadodara

Other Relevant Facts:

  • Kaimur Tiger Reserve: Bihar’s 2nd (after Valmiki TR); Kaimur district; central nod: Oct 8, 2024
  • WPI base year: 2011-12; Office of Economic Adviser under Ministry of Commerce & Industry
  • TGB on Wheels: India’s first solar-powered ATM van by Tripura Gramin Bank (RRB)
  • Makar Sankranti 2026: Sun entered Makara at 3:13 PM IST; Gangasagar Mela: 20 lakh+ pilgrims

Sources: AffairsCloud, PIB, GKToday, Spaceflight Now