Weekly Current Affairs January 2026 (Week 1)
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REVISION DIGEST • APPSC / UPSC / SSC
Weekly Current Affairs (Jan 2026 – Week 1) – Exam Revision Notes
Structured for quick revision, MCQs, and exam-oriented clarity (ReadingRoomz).
ఈ వారపు కరెంట్ అఫైర్స్ పోస్ట్ గురించి
This weekly current affairs post is a revision digest prepared from the daily current affairs published on ReadingRoomz during Week 1 of January 2026 (Part 1) (includes late-Dec updates covered in the same revision cycle). 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 below — each day’s update is covered in detail to strengthen your exam preparation.

ఆంధ్ర ప్రదేశ్ స్పెషల్

Gandikota – “Grand Canyon of India” (Kadapa, AP)
  • Spectacular gorge carved by the Penna River in Kadapa district, Andhra Pradesh.
  • Known for steep red sandstone cliffs and dramatic landscape; underdeveloped due to decades of neglect.
  • Gandikota Fort (12th century) built by Pemmasani Nayaks; later under Vijayanagara, Qutb Shahis, Mughals, Kadapa Nawabs and British.
  • Key structures: Madhavaraya Temple, Sri Ranganatha Temple, Jama Masjid, granary, jail, step wells, palaces.
  • Maintained by ASI.
పరీక్షా కోణం
AP prepared Gandikota Master Plan under SASCI; proposals include heritage trails, gorge illumination, sound & light show, tent city, boating, solar systems, and helicopter rides.
Narasapuram Lace Craft (West Godavari, AP)
  • Traditional crochet lace craft highlighted in Mann Ki Baat.
  • Women-led heritage handicraft; supports livelihoods and reaches global markets.
NABARD Loan for Amaravati + Road Safety Cess (AP)
  • AP Cabinet approved ₹7,387.7 crore loan from NABARD under NIDA for infrastructure in Amaravati.
  • Approved a 10% Road Safety Cess on motor vehicles subject to life tax for road safety infrastructure and traffic management.

రాజ్యాంగం మరియు పాలన

Dulhasti Stage–II Hydropower Project Approved (J&K)
  • 260-MW project on the Chenab River in Kishtwar, Jammu & Kashmir.
  • Approved by EAC (MoEFCC) during its 45th meeting (hydel projects).
  • Backdrop: Indus basin hydropower push; projects to remember: Sawalkote, Ratle, Bursar, Pakal Dul, Kiru, Kwar, Kirthai I & II.
ఆరావళి (ఎక్స్పర్ట్ కమిటీ యొక్క) నిర్వచనం తీర్పును సుప్రీంకోర్టు నిలిపివేసింది
  • SC kept in abeyance its Nov 20, 2025 judgment that upheld a restrictive Aravalli definition (100m+ hills and clusters/slope criteria).
  • Bench led by Surya Kant took suo motu cognisance; concern: drastic reduction in protected hills (only 1,048 of 12,081 in Rajasthan would qualify).
  • Bar on fresh/renewed mining leases without SC permission; proposed a high-powered expert committee.
Why it matters?
Aravallis act as a barrier against Thar Desert expansion and help mitigate pollution in regions including Delhi; definition must be scientific and long-term protective.
Jal Seva Aankalan (Jal Jeevan Mission)
  • Gram Panchayat–led digital self-assessment tool under JJM.
  • VWSCs and Gram Sabhas assess regularity, adequacy, quality, O&M, and source sustainability.
  • Results disclosed via platforms like eGramSwaraj and Meri Panchayat App.
జాతీయ పౌనఃపున్య కేటాయింపు ప్రణాళిక 2025 (NFAP-2025)
  • Released by DoT; comes into force from 30 Dec 2025.
  • Covers frequency range 8.3 kHz to 3000 GHz.
  • Identifies 6425–7125 MHz mid-band spectrum for IMT.
  • Allocates Ka, Q, and V bands for satellite communications.

పర్యావరణం & భూగోళశాస్త్రం

Silky Soil (Nagapattinam Coast, Tamil Nadu)
  • Fine-grained clay (loose soil) with weak load-bearing strength; boats/stones/people sink.
  • Linked to sediment discharge (Vennar Basin), shallow continental shelf gradient, and seasonal littoral drift.
  • Fisherfolk use tractors to launch/retrieve boats → higher costs and debt stress.
World’s Largest Crude Oil Reserves – Venezuela
  • Largest proven reserves: ~303 billion barrels (as of 2023).
  • Oil is mostly extra-heavy crude, requiring advanced technology and high investment.
  • 2024 production: ~9.21 lakh barrels/day (far below 1980s levels).
  • Top crude oil producers (2024): USA, Russia, Saudi Arabia.

సైన్స్ & టెక్నాలజీ

Next-Generation Antivenom for Snakebite (Nanobody Tech)
  • Snakebite causes ~58,000 deaths/year in India; major rural public health issue.
  • Snakebite envenoming is a WHO Neglected Tropical Disease.
Traditional Antivenom (India)
Uses venom from “Big Four” (cobra, krait, Russell’s viper, saw-scaled viper); venom injected into horses in small doses; antibodies extracted and purified.
పరిమితి: Covers only 4 species; India has 60+ venomous snakes; regional venom variation reduces effectiveness.
New Research (Nature, 2025)
Broad-spectrum antivenom using nanobodies derived from alpacas/llamas; genes cloned into bacteria for scalable production without relying on horses.
Alaknanda – Early Spiral Galaxy (JWST)
  • Discovered using James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) data.
  • Identified by NCRA, Pune researchers while analysing Uncover survey data.
  • Existed ~1.5 billion years after Big Bang (redshift z ≈ 4) with spiral arms and rotating disk.
IndiaAI Mission – Scale-up of National AI Capacity
  • Allocated ₹10,300+ crore over 5 years; expanded national AI compute capacity to 38,000 GPUs.
  • AI projected to add $1.7 trillion to India’s economy by 2035 (as stated).
  • Key initiatives: IndiaAI Compute, AIKosh, IndiaAI Foundation Models, BharatGen, Bhashini, FutureSkills AI, and focus on Safe & Trusted AI.
  • India ranks 3rd globally in AI competitiveness (Stanford’s 2025 Global AI Vibrancy Tool as per note).

Economy & Strategic Resources

REPM Manufacturing Scheme (₹7,280 crore)
  • Promotes domestic manufacturing of Sintered Rare Earth Permanent Magnets (REPMs).
  • Target capacity: 6,000 MTPA integrated manufacturing across value chain (oxides → finished magnets).
  • Supports EVs, renewables, electronics, aerospace & defence; reduces import dependence (especially on China).
  • Aligned with Net Zero 2070 and National Critical Minerals Mission (NCMM).
Rare Earth Elements (REEs) – Strategic Importance
  • REEs: 17 elements (15 lanthanides + scandium + yttrium).
  • Critical for EV motors, wind turbines, electronics, lasers, fibre optics, catalysts and defence systems.
  • NdFeB magnets are among the strongest permanent magnets for high-efficiency motors and generators.
  • Midstream processing (chemical separation) is most complex and strategic.
  • China dominates: ~91% separation/refining and ~94% sintered REPM production (as per note).
  • India: ~6.9 million tonnes of rare-earth oxide reserves (mainly monazite), challenges in downstream scaling.
India–New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (Dec 2025)
  • NZ provides zero-duty access to 100% of Indian exports; India liberalises tariffs on 95% of NZ imports (57% duty-free immediately).
  • NZ committed $20 billion FDI in India by 2030 across services, skill mobility and jobs (as stated).
  • Benefits labour-intensive sectors: textiles, leather, gems & jewellery, engineering goods, processed foods.
  • Sensitive sectors protected: dairy and key agricultural products excluded.

రక్షణ మరియు భద్రత

INS వాఘ్షీర్‌లో రాష్ట్రపతి విహారయాత్ర
  • President Droupadi Murmu undertook a submarine sortie onboard INS Vaghsheer (Kalvari-class) on 28 Dec 2025.
  • Embarked from Karwar Naval Harbour, Karnataka; interacted with crew and witnessed demonstrations.
  • Second Indian President after A.P.J. Abdul Kalam to take a submarine sortie.
INSV Kaundinya – Ancient Maritime Legacy
  • Indian Navy launched INSV Kaundinya; constructed using ancient sewn ship technique.
  • Design inspired by 5th century merchant ship shown in Ajanta Cave 17 murals.
  • Named after legendary mariner Kaundinya I linked to early India–Southeast Asia maritime ties (Funan tradition).
  • Maiden voyage: Porbandar (Gujarat) → Muscat (Oman).
Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) – AoN Approvals
  • DAC (chaired by Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh) granted AoN for procurement proposals worth ~₹79,000 crore.
  • Covers Indian Army, Navy and Air Force.

Sports & Culture

World Rapid Chess Championship 2025 (Doha, Qatar)
  • Open: Magnus Carlsen won with 10.5/13 (sixth World Rapid title).
  • Women: Aleksandra Goryachkina won (defeated Zhu Jiner in blitz playoff).
  • India: Koneru Humpy and Arjun Erigaisi won bronze medals.
డాక్యుమెంటరీ మరియు టెలివిజన్ చిత్రనిర్మాత ఎస్. కృష్ణస్వామి ఇటీవల మరణించారు.
  • Produced 900+ documentary/TV films.
  • Magnum opus: Indus Valley to Indira Gandhi (1976), traced 5,000 years, shot at 100 locations; rights acquired by Warner Brothers (as stated).
  • Awards: Padma Shri (2009), Dr. V. Shantaram Lifetime Achievement (2020).
  • Book (2025): Voyages Retraced: India’s Influence in East Asia.
త్వరిత పునర్విమర్శ పట్టిక
టాపిక్ Keyword
AP TourismGandikota • SASCI
Hydropower (J&K)Dulhasti Stage-II • Chenab • EAC
Public HealthSnakebite • Nanobodies • WHO NTD
Strategic MineralsREE • REPM • NCMM
Telecom PolicyNFAP-2025 • IMT • Satcom bands
Rural WaterJal Seva Aankalan • JJM
Space/AstroAlaknanda • JWST • z≈4
రక్షణINS Vaghsheer • DAC AoN ₹79,000 cr
SportsWorld Rapid Chess 2025 • Doha
ఈ వారం క్విజ్ ప్రాక్టీస్ (రోజువారీ MCQలు)
ప్రాక్టీస్. ప్రాక్టీస్. ప్రాక్టీస్.

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