LEGAL NEWS

Centre Revises Uniform Consent Guidelines to Ease Environmental Clearances

• The Union Government has updated the Uniform Consent Guidelines under the Air Act, 1981 and Water Act, 1974 to enhance regulatory efficiency.

• The amendments aim to simplify approval procedures, cut down delays, and improve compliance across industrial sectors.

• Introduced initially in 2025, the guidelines create a common national framework for granting, rejecting, or cancelling Consent to Establish (CTE) and Consent to Operate (CTO).

• The revised norms seek to bring greater uniformity, transparency, and accountability in how State Pollution Control Boards function.

• A major change is the launch of Consolidated Consent and Authorisation, enabling industries to seek multiple approvals through a single-window process.

• The Consent to Operate will now remain valid until withdrawn, removing the need for repeated renewals while keeping inspection-based checks intact.

• Decision timelines for Red Category industries have been shortened to 90 days, speeding up regulatory clearance.

• The reforms emphasise a balance between ease of doing business and environmental safeguards through continuous monitoring and a trust-based governance model.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

India–EU Security and Defence Partnership Launched

• India and the European Union formally entered their first-ever security and defence partnership on 27 January 2026.

• The agreement focuses on cooperation in key areas such as maritime security, cybersecurity, and counter-terrorism.

• This framework places India alongside Japan and South Korea, the only Asian countries with similar EU partnerships.

• The move aligns with India’s strategy to reduce reliance on Russian defence equipment by diversifying imports and boosting domestic production.

• From the European side, the partnership reflects efforts to lessen strategic dependence on the United States and strengthen global outreach.

• Defence Minister Rajnath Singh held detailed discussions with EU Commission Vice-President Kaja Kallas on bilateral security concerns.

• Both sides explored integrating defence supply chains to create reliable and trusted defence ecosystems.

• The pact also establishes an annual security and defence dialogue, reinforcing long-term collaboration across strategic domains.

India–Japan Naval Staff Talks: Strengthening Maritime Partnership

• India and Japan discussed maritime cooperation during the 11th Naval Staff Talks held in New Delhi on 29 January.

• The talks focused on working together to support a Free and Open Indo-Pacific region.

• Senior naval officers from both sides led the discussions, representing the Indian Navy and the Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force.

• Emphasis was laid on improving coordination and interoperability between the two navies.

• Both sides shared views on aligning their maritime outlooks under the MAHASAGAR and OCEAN visions.

• Cooperation in naval operations, defence equipment, and personnel exchanges was discussed.

• Japan highlighted that stronger naval engagement would help maintain peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific.

• The talks concluded positively, reaffirming the growing maritime cooperation between India and Japan.

NATIONAL NEWS

Prime Minister Modi Addresses NCC PM Rally 2026

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the annual NCC PM Rally at the Cariappa Parade Ground in New Delhi.

• The event carried the theme “Rashtra Pratham – Kartavya Nishth Yuva”, highlighting duty, discipline and national commitment among youth.

• The rally marked the concluding event of the month-long NCC Republic Day Camp 2026.

• Around 2,406 NCC cadets took part in the camp, including 898 girl cadets, reflecting broad representation from across India.

• An international element was added with participation from 207 youth and officers belonging to 21 foreign countries.

• The Prime Minister noted that NCC strength has grown significantly in recent years, rising from about 14 lakh to over 20 lakh cadets, with greater inclusion from border and coastal regions.

• Emphasis was laid on youth character-building, patriotism, and the idea of always placing the nation above self-interest.

• The programme featured cultural performances by NCC cadets, Rashtriya Rangshala and NSS members, while recalling NCC’s role in public awareness, mock drills under Operation Sindoor, and its description as the nation’s second line of defence.

AWARDS

Indian Health Expert Wins Wiley Research Heroes Prize 2025

• Indian doctor and public health expert Dr. Chandrakant Lahariya has received the Wiley Research Heroes Prize 2025 for his global policy impact.

• He is the first Indian to earn this international honour, selected from over 2,000 nominations worldwide.

• Dr. Lahariya was chosen under the “Impact Beyond Academia” category for 2025.

• The award celebrates researchers whose work is inclusive, innovative, and impactful in real-world policy and practice.

• He was listed among five global researchers recognised for exceptional research influence.

• His contributions as a health policy expert, academic, and medical professional were specially noted.

• His research has strongly focused on vaccination programmes and public health delivery systems.

• Global recognition was also given to his work on maternal and child health policies and strengthening primary healthcare systems.

ECONOMY NEWS

Economic Survey 2025–26: India’s Rising Innovation and Industrial Strength

• The Economic Survey 2025–26, presented in Parliament on 29 January, highlighted steady gains in India’s innovation ecosystem.

• India’s Global Innovation Index ranking improved sharply over recent years, placing the country among the top performers globally by 2025.

• The country now leads the lower-middle-income group and ranks first in Central and Southern Asia on innovation indicators.

• The Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme has expanded across multiple sectors, driving large-scale investment, production growth, exports, and job creation.

• Significant incentives have been disbursed and hundreds of sectoral applications approved, with electronics, pharma, and telecom emerging as key contributors.

• The National Manufacturing Mission was outlined as a long-term strategy to boost industrial capacity and global competitiveness.

• To support innovation, the government announced a large Research, Development and Innovation Fund and strengthened institutions like the Anusandhan National Research Foundation.

• India’s global standing in intellectual property and startups has improved markedly, with major cities emerging as leading innovation hubs and startup numbers crossing two lakh.

MISCELLANEOUS

Birth Anniversary of Lala Lajpat Rai (Punjab Kesari)

• The nation observed the 161st birth anniversary of Lala Lajpat Rai on 28 January, paying tribute to his role in India’s freedom movement.

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi remembered him as an eternal son of the soil whose sacrifices continue to guide future generations.

• Popularly called “Punjab Kesari” (The Lion of Punjab), he was known for his fearless and assertive nationalist approach.

• He was a prominent leader of the Lal–Bal–Pal trio, along with Bal Gangadhar Tilak and Bipin Chandra Pal, representing extremist nationalism.

• Lala Lajpat Rai also served as the President of the Indian National Congress in 1920, shaping the party’s mass-based politics.

• Born on 28 January 1865 in Punjab, he dedicated his entire life to social reform, education, and national awakening.

• He founded major institutions such as the Dayanand Anglo-Vedic (DAV) School in Lahore and the Servants of the People Society in 1921.

• His life ended in 1928 at Lahore after sustaining fatal injuries from a police lathi charge during protests against British rule, cementing his legacy as a martyr.