Weekly Current Affairs January 2026 (Week 2)
REVISION DIGEST • APPSC / Group 1 / Group 2 / Group 3 / Group 4 / AP Police SI / Constable / AP DSC / AP TET
Weekly Current Affairs (Jan 2026 – Week 2) – Exam Revision Notes
Structured for quick revision, MCQs, and exam-oriented clarity (ReadingRoomz).
About this Weekly Current Affairs Post
This weekly current affairs post is a revision digest prepared from the daily current affairs published on ReadingRoomz during Week 2 of January 2026 (05–10 January 2026). It is structured for quick revision of weekly current affairs and MCQ-ready facts.

For complete topic-wise explanations, refer to our daily current affairs posts linked at the end — each day’s update is covered in detail to strengthen your exam preparation.

Andhra Pradesh Special

Bhogapuram International Airport – Validation Flight Completed
  • Validation flight completed at Bhogapuram Greenfield International Airport near Visakhapatnam.
  • Commercial operations expected from June 2026.
  • Represents a major milestone in Andhra Pradesh’s aviation and infrastructure development.
ONGC Gas Well Blowout (Konaseema District)
  • Natural gas blowout at ONGC’s Mori-5 well, Irusumanda village, Malkipuram Mandal.
  • Location: Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Konaseema district, Andhra Pradesh.
  • Incident occurred during production enhancement operational maintenance.
Exam Angle
ONGC operations • Petroleum sector governance • Industrial safety protocols.
Three-Year PPP Project Pipeline – AP Leads India
Andhra Pradesh Performance
  • Total projects: 270 (highest in India)
  • Total project cost: ₹1,15,578.81 crore
  • AP tops in both number and allocation of PPP projects
National Context
DEA created 852 projects worth ₹17 lakh crore under Union Budget 2025–26 announcement.
AP Cabinet – Key Infrastructure Decisions
Major Approvals
  • APLINC (AP Logistics Infrastructure Corporation) as integrated holding company
  • AP Logistics Fund as AIF (Alternative Investment Fund); State 20% stake
  • 150 acres to Ethereal Exploration Guild for rocket manufacturing unit in Space City, Tirupati
  • Land for Hansa-3 (NG) trainer aircraft manufacturing, Chittoor
  • ₹200 crore AP Cluster Development Programme for MSME CFCs (Common Facility Centres)
  • ₹5,000 crore government guarantee for AP Jal Jeevan Water Supply Corporation
  • 950 MW pumped storage hydroelectric project at Kamalapadu, Anantapur district
Indigenous Air Taxi by Magnumwings (Guntur)
  • Indigenously designed air taxi completed structural frame testing at Guntur.
  • Developer: Magnumwings; MD: Abhiram Chava.
  • Major milestone in India’s advanced air mobility solutions.
Exam Angle
Make in India • Aerospace innovation • Advanced Air Mobility (AAM).
3rd Indian Lighthouse Festival – Visakhapatnam
  • Organised by DGLL (Directorate General of Lighthouses and Lightships) under Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways.
  • Focus: maritime heritage, coastal culture, lighthouse tourism.
  • Two-day festival celebrating India’s lighthouse network.
TATA – India’s Largest Ingot & Wafer Facility (Nellore)
  • TPREL (Tata Power Renewable Energy Limited) to establish 10-GW greenfield ingot and wafer facility.
  • Investment: ₹6,675 crore.
  • Location: IFFCO Kisan SEZ, Nellore.
  • Significance: strengthens solar supply chain, renewables manufacturing.
NHAI Guinness World Records – Bengaluru–Kadapa–Vijayawada Corridor
Two Records Achieved
  1. Longest continuous bituminous concrete laying: ~29 km in 24 hours
  2. Highest quantity: >10,000 MT in 24 hours
Section: Vanavolu–Vankarakunta (six-lane economic corridor)
Amaravati Avakaya Festival 2026
  • Three-day festival by AP Tourism Department with Teamwork Arts at Vijayawada.
  • Venue: Punnami Ghat & Bhavani Island, Krishna River.
  • Highlights AP culinary heritage (Avakaya – mango pickle).
Net-Zero Residential School Initiative (Krishna District)
  • AP Government + Heartfulness launched first net-zero residential school pilot.
  • Location: AP Social Welfare Residential School, Kuntamukkala.
  • Designed as an Integrated Ecological Campus.
  • First-of-its-kind initiative in the state.
Exam Angle
Sustainability • Green education • Net-zero campus concepts.
Book on President Droupadi Murmu Released (Visakhapatnam)
  • Title: Agni Sarassulo Vikasinchina Kamalam Droupadi Murmu
  • Author: Yarlagadda Lakshmi Prasad
  • Telugu book on President’s life journey released in unique ceremony.

Polity & Governance

ECI’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of Electoral Rolls
  • ECI defended SIR before Supreme Court; rejected allegations of “parallel NRC”.
  • SIR began in Bihar, expanded to 12 more States and UTs.
  • ECI clarified: issuing national identity cards or maintaining NRC lies with Union Government, not ECI.
Constitutional Basis
  • Article 324: ECI plenary powers for electoral roll preparation
  • Article 326: Voting limited to adult citizens
  • Article 327: Parliament’s law-making (subject to 324, 326)
  • Citizenship Act, 1955 (Section 9(2)): Central Government’s exclusive jurisdiction on termination of citizenship
SIR (Special Intensive Revision) NRC (National Register of Citizens)
Electoral roll revision (voter eligibility) Citizenship determination exercise
Targets citizens 18+ Covers citizens (all ages)
Authority: ECI Authority: Union Government
Basis: Article 324, 326 Basis: Citizenship Act, 1955
National Intelligence Grid (NATGRID) – Expanded Access
  • Expanded access to State police (up to SP rank).
  • Tech-driven intelligence-sharing platform created post-26/11 attacks (2008).
  • Approved in 2012 by CCS (Cabinet Committee on Security) — not via Parliamentary law.
Key Features
  • Connects 11 central agencies to 21 data categories
  • Categories: identity, travel, immigration, banking, telecom, communication data
  • Recent: integration with NPR (119 crore residents); analytics tool “Gandiva”
SAMPANN Platform – Digital Pension Management
  • Implemented by DoT (Department of Telecommunications) for end-to-end digital pension management.
  • Full form: System for Accounting and Management of Pension.
  • Processes, sanctions, disburses pensions (direct bank transfers).
PANKHUDI Portal for Women & Child Development
  • Launched by MWCD (Ministry of Women and Child Development).
  • Integrated CSR and partnership facilitation digital portal.
  • Single-window platform connecting individuals, NRIs, NGOs, corporates, and government agencies.
  • Strengthens coordination and transparency in women and child welfare initiatives.
UIDAI Launches Aadhaar Mascot ‘Udai’
  • UIDAI (Unique Identification Authority of India) launched ‘Udai’ as official Aadhaar mascot.
  • Designed to make Aadhaar services more resident-friendly and relatable.
  • Selected through MyGov platform competition with 875 entries.
  • Design winner: Arun Gokul (Kerala); Name winner: Riya Jain (Bhopal).

Environment & Geography

Disaster Risk & Climate Vulnerability in Asia
Key Statistics
  • Emerging Asian economies (India, China, ASEAN-11) face escalating disaster threats.
  • ~100 disasters annually in the region
  • 80 million people affected per year
  • India: 0.4% GDP average annual losses (1990–2024)
  • India ranks 2nd after Philippines in World Risk Index
Gangasagar Setu – West Bengal
  • Foundation stone laid for connectivity project.
  • Cost: ₹1,670 crore; Length: ~5 km
  • Crosses: Muriganga River • Connects Sagar Island with mainland
  • Significance: Gangasagar Mela (one of largest religious gatherings in India)
First 3D Imaging of Popocatépetl Volcano Interior (Mexico)
  • First-ever 3D image of Popocatépetl volcano’s interior produced.
  • Affects ~25 million people within 100-km radius.
  • Formed over 20,000 years ago.
  • Continuously active since 1994; recent eruption: 2023.
U.S. Remarks on Greenland – Sovereignty Debate
  • Greenland: autonomous territory within Kingdom of Denmark.
  • Strategic importance: Arctic location, defence, shipping routes, resources.
  • Greenland’s leadership and European allies strongly rejected U.S. acquisition remarks.
Exam Ready
  • Nordic Countries: Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Iceland
  • Scandinavian Countries: Denmark, Norway, Sweden
2026 – International Year for Rangelands and Pastoralists
  • UN declared 2026 to protect grasslands as critical ecosystems.
  • UNCCD COP16 recognised rangelands as complex socio-ecological systems.
  • Focus: climate action, biodiversity conservation, livelihoods.
Grasslands in India
Cover: 4–6% (often underestimated). Often misclassified as “wastelands”.
Major Types
  1. Alpine Grasslands: Bugyals (Uttarakhand), Himachal meadows
  2. Shola Grasslands: Western Ghats (Nilgiris, Anamalai)
  3. Semi-arid Grasslands: Banni (Kutch), Maharashtra–Karnataka
  4. Floodplain Grasslands: Terai (Kaziranga, Dudhwa)
Jabarkhet Nature Reserve (Uttarakhand)
  • Uttarakhand’s first privately owned and operated nature reserve.
  • Completed 10 years in 2025.
  • Follows “wildlife-first” model: nature recovery before tourism.
  • Restoration: removal of invasive species, habitat regeneration, controlled human access.

Science & Technology

Remote Sensing Technology – Advances
  • What is remote sensing? Collecting information about Earth’s surface using satellites/drones by analysing reflected/emitted electromagnetic radiation.
  • Different materials produce unique spectral signatures.
Key Applications
1. Vegetation & Forests: NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index) for plant health; forest biomass estimation.
2. Water Bodies: NDWI, MNDWI for water mapping; SAR for cloud cover/night conditions.
3. Minerals & Hydrocarbons: Hyperspectral sensors for mineral identification; geological structure analysis.
4. Groundwater: NASA’s GRACE mission for gravity-based groundwater storage estimation.
Contact Binary Stars (W Ursae Majoris type)
  • ARIES (Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences) studied W UMa-type contact binary stars.
  • What are they? Short-period binary stars orbiting extremely close, sharing common outer atmosphere.
  • Dumbbell-like shape; act as natural laboratories for studying stellar evolution.
Bio-Bitumen via Pyrolysis – From Farm Residue to Roads
  • Industrial-scale technology transfer achieved by CSIR-CRRI (New Delhi) and CSIR-IIP (Dehradun).
  • Bio-Bitumen: Bio-based alternative to fossil-derived bitumen.
  • Produced by pyrolysis of rice straw (farm residue).
Process & Significance
  • Process: Collection → Pelletisation → Pyrolysis → Bio-oil → Blending with conventional bitumen
  • 20–30% conventional bitumen can be replaced without performance loss
  • First trial: 100m stretch on Jorabat–Shillong Expressway (NH-40), Meghalaya
  • Can reduce imports worth ₹25,000–30,000 crore annually
Biomaterials – Types and Applications
  • What are biomaterials? Materials derived wholly/partly from biological sources or engineered using biological processes.
  • Alternative to fossil-based materials in plastics, textiles, construction, healthcare.
Types of Biomaterials
  • Drop-in biomaterials: Chemically identical to fossil-based (e.g., Bio-PET)
  • Drop-out biomaterials: Chemically different (e.g., Polylactic Acid – PLA)
  • Novel biomaterials: New properties (self-healing, bioactive composites)

Economy & Development

First Advance Estimates of GDP 2025–26 Released
  • NSO (National Statistics Office) released First Advance Estimates on 7 January 2026.
  • Real GDP growth: 7.4% in FY 2025–26
  • Nominal GDP growth: 8.0%
  • Real GVA growth: 7.3%
  • Nominal GVA growth: 7.7%
Sectoral Performance (GVA at Constant Prices)
  • Services (Main driver): Financial, Real Estate & Professional Services: 9.9%
  • Trade, Hotels, Transport, Communication: 7.5%
  • Secondary: Manufacturing & Construction: 7.0%
  • Primary: Agriculture & Allied: 3.1%; Utilities: 2.1%
UN DESA Projects India’s Growth at 7.2%
  • UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs projected 7.2% growth for India in FY 2025–26.
  • Source: World Economic Situation and Prospects 2026 report.
  • Growth supported by resilient private consumption and strong public investment.
  • Expected to offset negative impact of U.S. tariff measures (18% of Indian exports go to U.S.).
Household Consumption Expenditure Survey (HCES) 2022-23 & 2023-24
  • Released by MoSPI (Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation).
  • Provides insights into Indian household spending patterns based on MPCE (Monthly Per Capita Expenditure).
Key Highlights
  • Food expenditure share declined:
    • Urban: ₹48 → ₹39 per ₹100
    • Rural: ₹59 → ₹47 per ₹100
  • Confirms Engel’s Law (food share falls as income rises)
  • Dietary transition: Lower cereals, higher fruits/eggs/fish/processed foods
  • Fuel expenditure reduced (Saubhagya, PM Ujjwala impact)

Defence & Security

Indian Army Signs Contract for Long-Range Rocket Launcher
  • Contract value: ₹293 crore
  • Supplier: NIBE Ltd. (Pune-based private defence manufacturer) in collaboration with Israel’s Elbit Systems
  • System name: Suryastra (SURYA)
  • India’s first Made-in-India universal multi-calibre rocket launcher
Technical Capabilities
  • Strike ranges: 150 km and 300 km
  • Can engage multiple targets simultaneously at different ranges
  • High precision: Circular Error Probable (CEP) < 5 metres
  • Significantly boosts Army’s deep-strike artillery firepower

International Relations

USA Withdraws from International Solar Alliance (ISA)
  • USA announced withdrawal from ISA in January 2026.
  • India reaffirmed commitment to ISA and global solar energy goals.
  • ISA: 125-member multilateral body conceptualised at COP21 Paris (2015).
  • Launched by PM Modi and former French President Francois Hollande.
ISA Goals
Mobilise $1 trillion in solar investments by 2030; reduce technology/financing costs; accelerate solar adoption in LDCs and SIDS.
USA Withdraws from UNFCCC
  • U.S. President Donald Trump announced withdrawal from UNFCCC (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change).
  • UNFCCC: foundational global climate treaty adopted in 1992.
  • Part of broader U.S. exit from 66 international organisations and treaties.
  • Described by administration as against national interests.
USA Arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro
  • U.S. apprehended Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.
  • Flown to U.S. to face charges of drug trafficking and narco-terrorism.
  • Dramatic escalation in Washington’s confrontation with Venezuela.
Why U.S. Acted
1. Regime-change pressure: Republican opposition to Venezuela’s socialist government
2. National security framing: Allegations of government/military involvement in narcotics trafficking

Society & Social Issues

Bal Vivah Mukt Bharat (BVMB) Campaign
  • Launched: 27 November 2024
  • Nodal Ministry: MWCD (Ministry of Women and Child Development)
  • Goal: Reduce child marriage by 10% by 2026; completely eliminate by 2030
  • Aligned with SDG 5.3
Milestone Achievements
  • Balod district, Chhattisgarh: India’s first child marriage-free district (2025)
  • Surajpur district: 75 village panchayats declared Child Marriage-Free (Sep 2025)
Spina Bifida – Neural Tube Defect
  • One of most common preventable birth defects in India.
  • Affects over 25,000 children every year.
  • Neural tube defect of spinal cord causing varying degrees of paralysis, bladder/bowel dysfunction, hydrocephalus.
  • Prevention: Pre-conceptional folic acid intake can prevent >70% cases (1991 Medical Research Council Vitamin Study).
Karnataka Records Highest-Ever Organ Donations
  • SOTTO (State Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation) recorded 198 organ donations in 2025.
  • Highest-ever for Karnataka; surpasses earlier peak of 178 in 2023.
  • Karnataka ranked 3rd nationally after Tamil Nadu (267) and Telangana (205).

Culture & Personalities

Somnath Temple – 1000 Years Since First Attack
  • PM remembered milestone: 1,000 years since first attack on Somnath Temple in 1026 AD.
  • Location: Near Veraval, Gir Somnath district, Gujarat.
  • Believed to be first among 12 Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva.
  • Mentioned in Rig Veda, Skanda Purana, Shiva Purana.
Historical Timeline
  • 1026 AD: Mahmud of Ghazni attacked and plundered (first recorded foreign invasion)
  • Destroyed and rebuilt multiple times (Alauddin Khilji’s generals, Mughal period)
  • Post-Independence: Rebuilt under leadership of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
  • 1951: Re-inaugurated, symbolising national revival and cultural self-confidence
Architecture & Unique Feature
Built using sandstone in Chalukya (Solanki) style. Baan Stambh concept: No landmass exists between Somnath and Antarctica in straight southern line.
“Khutbat-e-Modi: Lal Qila Ki Faseel Se” Book Released
  • Released by Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan in New Delhi.
  • Compilation of PM Modi’s Independence Day addresses from 2014 to 2025 from Red Fort.
  • Published in Urdu.
Renowned Ecologist Madhav Gadgil Passed Away
  • Passed away in Pune at age 83.
  • Transformed India’s conservation philosophy by placing human rights and community participation at centre of environmental protection.
  • Key role in movements like Save Silent Valley in Kerala.
Quick Revision Table (High-Yield)
Topic Keyword / Fact
AP InfrastructureBhogapuram Airport • Validation flight • Ops from June 2026
Energy SafetyONGC Mori-5 blowout • Konaseema • Safety protocols
PPP PipelineAP: 270 projects • ₹1,15,578.81 cr • National: 852 projects ₹17 lakh cr
AP CabinetAPLINC • AP Logistics Fund (AIF) • 950 MW PSP • ₹5,000 cr guarantee
AerospaceMagnumwings air taxi • Guntur • Abhiram Chava • Make in India
Maritime Culture3rd Indian Lighthouse Festival • DGLL • Visakhapatnam
Renewable ManufacturingTPREL 10-GW ingot/wafer • ₹6,675 cr • Nellore IFFCO Kisan SEZ
Highways RecordNHAI: 29 km bituminous in 24 hrs • >10,000 MT • Guinness World Records
Governance – ECI SIRArticles 324/326/327 • SIR vs NRC • Supreme Court defence
Internal SecurityNATGRID • Post-26/11 • SP access • NPR integration • “Gandiva” analytics
Digital PensionsSAMPANN • DoT • System for Accounting and Management of Pension
Women & Child DevPANKHUDI portal • BVMB campaign • 10% reduction by 2026
AadhaarMascot ‘Udai’ • MyGov competition • 875 entries
Environment 2026International Year of Rangelands • Grasslands 4–6% • Misclassified as “wastelands”
Disaster RiskAsia ~100 disasters/year • 80M affected • India 0.4% GDP loss • 2nd in World Risk Index
Remote SensingNDVI, NDWI, SAR • GRACE groundwater monitoring • Hyperspectral minerals
Bio-BitumenCSIR-CRRI/IIP • Rice straw pyrolysis • 20-30% replacement • ₹25-30K cr import savings
GDP FY26Real GDP 7.4% • NSO First Advance Estimates • Services sector main driver 9.9%
HCESFood share declined • Urban ₹48→₹39 • Rural ₹59→₹47 • Engel’s Law confirmed
DefenceSuryastra rocket launcher • ₹293 cr • NIBE-Elbit • 150/300 km range • CEP <5m
Climate DiplomacyUSA exits ISA & UNFCCC • India reaffirms ISA commitment • $1T by 2030
HealthSpina Bifida 25K/year • Folic acid prevents 70% • Karnataka 198 organ donations
CultureSomnath 1000 years • 1026 AD Mahmud Ghazni • Patel reconstruction • Madhav Gadgil (83)
Prepared for ReadingRoomz | www.readingroomz.com
Weekly Revision Digest – January 2026 Week 2 (05-10 January 2026)
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