15 January 2026 - Daily Current Affairs Updates

GS–1 | ANCIENT & MEDIEVAL INDIAN HISTORY

1. Bhadrakali Inscription

Subtopic: Temple History, Epigraphy & Dynastic Patronage

Value Addition:

• Location: Prabhas Patan, Gujarat; engraved on the wall of the Bhadrakali Temple.

• Chronology: Dated 1169 CE (Valabhi Samvat 850; Vikram Samvat 1255).

• Dynastic Context: Linked to the Solanki dynasty of Anhilwad Patan.

• Nature of Inscription:

  • Eulogistic inscription praising Param Pashupata Acharya Shriman Bhavabrihaspati.

  • Bhavabrihaspati was the spiritual preceptor of Maharajadhiraj Kumarapala.

• Historical Narrative of Somnath Temple:

  • Satya Yuga: Built in gold by Soma (Chandra).

  • Treta Yuga: Rebuilt in silver by Ravana.

  • Dvapara Yuga: Reconstructed in wood by Shri Krishna.

  • Kali Yuga: Stone temple built by Bhimdev (Solanki ruler).

• Cultural Significance:

  • Reflects continuity of sacred geography across yugas.

  • Shows close nexus between royal authority, religion, and scholarship.

• Protection Status: Under State Department of Archaeology, Gujarat.

Subject Analysis:

• High-value GS-1 topic linking epigraphy, temple reconstruction, and political legitimacy.

• Useful for mains answers on historical continuity of sacred sites.

GS–2 | COOPERATIVES & AGRICULTURAL GOVERNANCE

2. National Federation of Cooperative Sugar Factories Limited (NFCSF)

Subtopic: Cooperative Institutions, Agro-Industry Representation

Value Addition:

• Established: 1960, to strengthen India’s cooperative sugar sector.

• Legal Evolution:

  • Bombay Cooperative Societies Act, 1925 (1960).

  • Delhi Cooperative Societies Act, 1972.

  • Multi-State Cooperative Societies Act, 1984 → 2002 (current).

• Core Functions:

  • Policy advocacy at national and state levels.

  • Formulation of growth strategies for cooperative sugar mills.

  • Techno-commercial support for modernisation and expansion.

• Governance:

  • Managed by an elected Board of Directors.

  • Members include cooperative sugar factories and state sugar federations.

• Current Issue:

  • Seeking government support amid declining sugar prices, highlighting market stress in cooperative agro-industries.

Subject Analysis:

• Relevant GS-2 topic for cooperative federalism and agricultural price stability.

• Useful in answers on institutional support to farmer-owned enterprises.

GS–2 | ENVIRONMENTAL GOVERNANCE & POLICY

3. NIRANTAR Platform

Subtopic: Environmental Research–Policy Interface

Value Addition:

• Full Form: National Institute for Research & Application of Natural Resources to Transform, Adapt and Build Resilience.

• Initiated By: Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.

• Core Objective:

  • Bridge gap between scientific research and evidence-based policymaking.

• Key Functions:

  • Consolidation and sharing of environmental knowledge.

  • Repository of documents on international environmental treaties and conventions.

  • Periodic review of ongoing research initiatives.

• Governance Structure:

  • High-powered steering committee chaired by the Union Environment Minister.

  • Members from ministries of science & technology, agriculture, tribal affairs, industry, and DPIIT.

• Operational Model:

  • Four-vertical structure, each focusing on research, outcomes, and application.

• Policy Orientation:

  • Balancing environmental protection with economic and industrial development.

  • Emphasis on sustainable and judicious resource use.

Subject Analysis:

• Strong GS-2 example of science-driven environmental governance.

• Useful for mains on institutional mechanisms for sustainability.

GS–3 | BIODIVERSITY & WILDLIFE CONSERVATION

4. Kashmir Markhor

Subtopic: Endemic Species, Mountain Ecology

Value Addition:

• Scientific Name: Capra falconeri (subspecies).

• Status in India: Rarest wild goat, endemic to Jammu and Kashmir.

• Population: Only 200–300 individuals, facing local extinction risk.

• Habitat:

  • High-altitude cliffs and alpine meadows of the Pir Panjal range.

  • Major stronghold: Kazinag National Park.

  • Also found in Hirpora WLS, Tattakuti WLS, Khara Gali Conservation Reserve.

• Physical Features:

  • Males weigh up to 100 kg.

  • Spiral horns up to 160 cm, used in mating combat and defence.

  • Long hair provides insulation against cold.

• Ecological Role:

  • Herbivorous grazer regulating alpine vegetation.

  • Indicator species for mountain ecosystem health.

Subject Analysis:

• High-yield GS-3 topic on endemism and conservation challenges in fragile ecosystems.

• Useful for prelims on species–habitat mapping.

GS–3 | AGRICULTURE & GI TAGS

5. Jeeraphool Rice and Nagri Dubraj Rice

Subtopic: Indigenous Crops, GI Protection

Value Addition:

Jeeraphool Rice:

• Indigenous, aromatic, short-grained rice from Surguja district, Chhattisgarh.

• Grain shape resembles cumin seeds.

• Used in traditional foods like Chausela, anarsa, chawal.

• GI Tag: Granted in March 2019.

Nagri Dubraj Rice:

• Premium aromatic rice grown by tribal communities in Dantewada, Chhattisgarh.

• Medium-length, soft, unpolished grains with high nutrition.

• Known as “Basmati of Chhattisgarh.”

• Cultivated using community-based, sustainable practices.

• GI Tag: Granted in March 2023.

Institutional Support:

• APEDA regional office inaugurated at Raipur to boost exports.

Subject Analysis:

• Important GS-3 topic on agrobiodiversity, GI protection, and farmer income enhancement.

GS–3 | SPACE SCIENCE

6. Artemis II Mission

Subtopic: Crewed Spaceflight & Lunar Exploration

Value Addition:

• Mission under NASA’s Artemis Programme.

• Launch Window: Begins 6 February 2026.

• Mission Type: Crewed lunar flyby; no landing.

• Primary Objective:

  • Test Space Launch System (SLS) and Orion spacecraft with humans onboard.

  • Validate life-support and navigation systems.

• Programme Roadmap:

  • Artemis I (2022): Uncrewed test.

  • Artemis II: First crewed mission.

  • Artemis III: Planned lunar landing near South Pole.

  • Artemis IV: Lunar space station deployment.

• Strategic Importance:

  • Foundation for long-term Moon presence and future Mars missions.

Subject Analysis:

• High-value GS-3 topic on deep-space exploration and international space programmes.

GS–3 | DEFENCE TECHNOLOGY

7. Man Portable Anti-tank Guided Missile (MPATGM)

Subtopic: Indigenous Defence Systems

Value Addition:

• Developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation.

• Generation: Third-generation, fire-and-forget missile.

• System Components:

  • Missile, launcher, target acquisition system, fire control unit.

• Key Technologies:

  • Imaging infrared homing seeker.

  • All-electric control actuation.

  • Advanced fire-control and sighting systems.

• Operational Capabilities:

  • Day-and-night engagement.

  • Tandem warhead to defeat modern composite armour.

  • Can be tripod-launched or vehicle-mounted.

• Industrial Partners:

  • Bharat Dynamics Limited

  • Bharat Electronics Limited

Subject Analysis:

• Core GS-3 topic on defence indigenisation and combat readiness.

• Useful for mains on Atmanirbhar Bharat in defence manufacturing.