Current Affairs 21 January 2026

IMF upgrades India’s GDP growth forecast

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has upgraded India’s GDP growth projection for FY 2025–26 to 7.3%, from its earlier estimate of 6.6%, according to the January 2026 update of the World Economic Outlook (WEO). IMF projected Global growth at 3.3% and 3.2% in 2026 and 2027 respectively.

Gravitons

Scientists from the Stevens Institute of Technology (USA) and Yale University have proposed an experiment to detect gravitons, the hypothetical quantum particles that mediate gravity. If successful, it would be the first experiment explicitly designed to detect individual gravitons.

Key Points:

• Gravitons are hypothetical particles of gravity, analogous to photons for electromagnetism.
• Gravity is extremely weak compared to other fundamental forces, making graviton detection extremely difficult.

Responsible Nations Index 2026

India has launched the Responsible Nations Index (RNI) at the Dr. Ambedkar International Centre, New Delhi, under the aegis of the World Intellectual Foundation (WIF). The Index provides a global framework to assess nations beyond economic strength, focusing on ethical and moral dimensions of governance and development.

• Launched by: World Intellectual Foundation (WIF)
• Academic contributors:
  • Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU)
  • Indian Institute of Management Mumbai (IIM Mumbai)
• India’s rank in the Responsible Nations Index 2026: 16th with an overall score of 0.5515

Book “Chalice of Ambrosia: Ram Janmabhoomi” released

The Vice President of India, C. P. Radhakrishnan, released the book titled “Chalice of Ambrosia: Ram Janmabhoomi – Challenge and Response” at the Vice President’s Enclave, New Delhi. The book is authored by Shri Surendra Kumar Pachauri, a former Secretary to the Government of India. The publication documents the historical, legal, and administrative challenges associated with the Ram Janmabhoomi movement and the institutional responses over time.

Disclaimer: This article is prepared for competitive exam preparation using publicly available information.