The India-EU Security and Defence Partnership signed on January 27, 2026 is the EU's third such defence pact with an Asian country. Which were the first two Asian countries to sign defence partnerships with the EU before India?
The EU signed Security and Defence Partnerships with Japan (November 1, 2024) and South Korea (November 4, 2024) before India (January 27, 2026). India is the third Asian country to have such a comprehensive security partnership with the EU. The partnership was signed by EU High Representative Kaja Kallas and EAM Dr. S. Jaishankar.
💡 Concept Note
The EU’s Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) was established under the Maastricht Treaty (1992) and strengthened by the Lisbon Treaty (2007). The EU-Japan pact was the first such security partnership with an Indo-Pacific country, signed in November 2024. The India-EU partnership covers maritime security, cyber and hybrid threats, space, defence industry cooperation, and counterterrorism. EU leaders Antonio Costa (European Council President) and Ursula von der Leyen (European Commission President) attended India’s 77th Republic Day as chief guests.
According to NITI Aayog reports released on January 29, 2026, India's e-waste is projected to grow from 6.19 MMT to how much by 2030?
India’s e-waste is projected to grow from 6.19 MMT (million metric tonnes) to 14 MMT by 2030 — a 2.3x increase in 5 years. The annual economic value of India’s e-waste is Rs 51,000 crore, but only 18% is currently recovered (60% is technically extractable).
💡 Concept Note
India is the world’s 3rd largest e-waste generator (after China and USA). E-Waste is governed by E-Waste Management Rules, 2022 under the Environment Protection Act, 1986 with an Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) framework. Around 80% of India’s e-waste is handled by the informal sector through hazardous methods.
The Public Enterprises Selection Board (PESB) selected Kota Ravi as the next CMD of HAL. HAL was upgraded to what PSU classification in October 2024, and which ministry does it fall under?
HAL (Hindustan Aeronautics Limited) was upgraded to Maharatna PSU status in October 2024 (the 14th Maharatna company), under the Ministry of Defence, headquartered in Bengaluru. It was previously a Navratna. As a Maharatna, HAL can invest up to Rs 5,000 crore in a single project without government approval. Kota Ravi, known as the LCA man for his role in operationalising the Tejas fleet, was selected as the next CMD.
💡 Concept Note
HAL makes Tejas (Light Combat Aircraft), Dhruv (Advanced Light Helicopter), HJT-16 Kiran jet trainer, HTT-40 basic trainer, and ALH (Advanced Light Helicopter). Maharatna status (14 companies as of 2026) grants maximum financial and operational autonomy among CPSEs. PESB (Public Enterprises Selection Board) recommends senior management appointments in Central CPSEs under the Department of Public Enterprises. HAL’s FY24 turnover: Rs 28,162 crore; net profit: Rs 7,595 crore.
The Adani-Embraer MoU for Regional Transport Aircraft will establish the first Embraer Final Assembly Line in Asia. Embraer is headquartered in which country?
Embraer is headquartered in Sao Jose dos Campos, Brazil (founded 1969). The Regional Transport Aircraft will carry approximately 90 passengers with an operational range of 500-900 km. The FAL in India will be Embraer’s first production facility in Asia, supporting the UDAN scheme for regional connectivity.
💡 Concept Note
Embraer is the world’s third-largest commercial aircraft manufacturer (after Boeing and Airbus), specialising in regional jets (70-130 seats). The UDAN scheme (Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik) aims to connect Tier 2/3 cities. The MoU also includes MRO (Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul) and training in India.
RBI amended the Priority Sector Lending framework in January 2026. What was the revised PSL target for Small Finance Banks (SFBs)?
RBI revised the PSL target for Small Finance Banks from 75% to 60% of Adjusted Net Bank Credit (ANBC) to ease compliance burden while maintaining inclusive lending. NCDC (National Cooperative Development Corporation) was added as an eligible on-lending entity, and healthcare loans were raised to Rs 12 crore per borrower for Tier II-VI centres.
💡 Concept Note
The overall PSL target for domestic commercial banks remains 40% of ANBC, with agriculture at 18%. PSL covers agriculture, MSMEs, education, housing, renewable energy, and weaker sections. SFBs were created by RBI to serve underbanked sections and are required to maintain a higher PSL target than regular banks.
Randhir Singh resigned as OCA (Olympic Council of Asia) President in January 2026. What was his historic significance, and where is OCA headquartered?
Randhir Singh was India’s first-ever OCA President, elected September 2024. He resigned in January 2026 due to health reasons and was succeeded by Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani of Qatar. The OCA is headquartered in Kuwait City, Kuwait, and governs the Asian Games (45 member National Olympic Committees).
💡 Concept Note
OCA (Olympic Council of Asia) was founded in 1982 by Sheikh Fahad Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah and governs the Asian Games (Asiad), Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games, and Asian Beach Games. Randhir Singh served as IOA Secretary General from 1987-2012 and as Acting OCA President from 2021-2024 before his formal election.
Kerala became the first Indian state to declare a State Microbe. Which microorganism was declared?
Kerala declared Bacillus subtilis as its State Microbe — the first Indian state to make such a declaration. Bacillus subtilis is a beneficial, spore-forming probiotic bacterium found in soil and fermented foods, used in pharmaceuticals, food processing, biopesticides, and as a plant growth promoter.
💡 Concept Note
State symbols in India include state bird, state animal, state tree, state flower, and now state microbe (Kerala, 2026). Microbiology is gaining policy attention for its applications in sustainable agriculture (biofertilisers, biopesticides), healthcare (probiotics, antibiotics), and industrial processes (enzymes). Kerala also launched a Centre of Excellence in Microbiome alongside this declaration.
International Data Privacy Day is observed on January 28 annually. It commemorates the signing of which international treaty?
International Data Privacy Day (January 28) commemorates the signing of Convention 108 — the first binding international data protection treaty — on January 28, 1981, by the Council of Europe. India highlighted its Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act, 2023 and DPDP Rules, 2025 on this day.
💡 Concept Note
India’s DPDP Act, 2023 establishes the Data Protection Board of India as the enforcement body, with a consent-based framework for personal data processing. It is based partly on the Justice Srikrishna Committee (2018) recommendations. The right to privacy as a fundamental right was established in K.S. Puttaswamy vs Union of India (2017) under Article 21.
According to the Vehicle Scrappage Policy 2021, after how many years must private vehicles and commercial vehicles be mandatorily scrapped?
Under the Vehicle Scrappage Policy 2021, private vehicles over 20 years old and commercial vehicles over 15 years old must be scrapped through Registered Vehicle Scrapping Facilities (RVSFs). NITI Aayog projects ELVs (End-of-Life Vehicles) will grow from 23 million (2025) to 50 million by 2030.
💡 Concept Note
Owners who scrap eligible vehicles receive a scrapping certificate with benefits: 5% rebate on road tax and 25% rebate on motor vehicle tax (for commercial vehicles). A BS-I vehicle emits 8 times more pollutants than a BS-VI vehicle. 61 RVSFs were operational as of early 2026, with a target of 300+ by 2027.
The PFRDA constituted the SAARG Committee on January 29, 2026 to modernise the National Pension System (NPS). NPS was made mandatory for central government employees from which date?
NPS (National Pension System) was made mandatory for central government employees from January 1, 2004 — replacing the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) from that date. PFRDA (Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority), established under PFRDA Act 2013, governs NPS. The SAARG Committee (chaired by Narayan Ramachandran) will modernise NPS investment guidelines.
💡 Concept Note
NPS is a Defined Contribution pension system — the final pension depends on contributions made and market returns (unlike OPS which is a Defined Benefit system with guaranteed pension). The PFRDA SAARG (Strategic Asset Allocation and Risk Governance) Committee will evaluate alternative asset classes, ESG integration, and net-zero transition risks for NPS portfolios.
