23 January 2026 - Daily Current Affairs Updates

GS–1 | GEOPHYSICAL PHENOMENA

1. G4 (Severe) Geomagnetic Storm

Subtopic: Solar–Terrestrial Interaction, Space Weather

Value Addition:

• Definition:

  • A geomagnetic storm is a large-scale disturbance of Earth’s magnetosphere caused by efficient transfer of solar wind energy into near-Earth space.

• Storm Classification:

  • Rated on a G1–G5 scale (NOAA); G4 = Severe.

• Primary Trigger:

  • Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs) ejecting up to 1 billion tonnes of plasma from the Sun.

• Key Physical Condition:

  • Sustained high-speed solar wind with a southward-oriented interplanetary magnetic field, opposite to Earth’s field.

• Atmospheric Effects:

  • Heating and restructuring of the ionosphere and thermosphere.

• Visible Impact:

  • Auroras observed at unusually low latitudes across continents.

• Technological Impact:

  • Radio communication disruption.

  • Increased atmospheric drag on satellites.

  • Static charge buildup damaging satellite electronics.

  • Disruption of GNSS and navigation systems.

• Infrastructure Risk:

  • Geomagnetically induced currents (GICs) affecting power grids and pipelines.

Subject Analysis:

• High-yield GS-1 topic linking solar activity, atmospheric layers, and disaster-like technological risks.

• Frequently asked in prelims under natural hazards and space weather.

GS–2 | ENVIRONMENTAL GOVERNANCE

2. Environmental Protection Fund Rules, 2026

Subtopic: Environmental Regulation, Polluter Pays Principle

Value Addition:

• Legal Basis:

  • Created under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.

  • Enabled by the Jan Vishwas Act, 2023.

• Purpose:

  • Channel penalties from environmental violations into environmental protection, conservation, and restoration.

• Sources of Funds:

  • Penalties under the Air Act, Water Act, and Environment (Protection) Act.

  • Includes personal liability penalties of directors and officers under Section 16(2).

• Governance:

  • Administered by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.

  • Audited by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India.

  • Central Pollution Control Board to manage a centralised online portal.

• Permitted Uses (11 categories):

  • Environmental monitoring infrastructure.

  • Strengthening and upgradation of laboratories.

  • Environmental remediation and restoration.

  • Studies directed by courts and tribunals.

  • Other approved protection activities.

• Administrative Cap:

  • Maximum 5% of total funds per financial year.

• Centre–State Sharing:

  • 75% transferred to concerned State/UT.

  • 25% retained by Centre for national initiatives.

Subject Analysis:

• Strong GS-2 example of polluter-pays principle, cooperative federalism, and regulatory accountability.

• Useful for mains on environmental compliance and institutional mechanisms.

GS–2 | ELECTORAL GOVERNANCE

3. India International Conference on Democracy and Election Management (IICDEM) 2026

Subtopic: Electoral Institutions, Democratic Diplomacy

Value Addition:

• Dates & Venue:

  • 21–23 January 2026, Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.

• Organising Body:

  • India International Institute of Democracy and Election Management under the Election Commission of India.

• Global Scale:

  • ~100 international delegates from 70+ countries.

• Participants:

  • Election Management Bodies, international organisations, foreign missions, academics, and practitioners.

• Programme Structure:

  • General sessions and plenary discussions.

  • 36 thematic working groups led by State/UT Chief Electoral Officers.

• Core Themes:

  • Global electoral challenges.

  • International electoral norms.

  • Innovations and best practices in election administration.

• Key Launch:

  • ECINET – ECI’s one-stop digital election platform.

• Exhibition:

  • Showcases India’s electoral scale, logistics, and roll management.

• Cultural Component:

  • Screening of documentary series “India Decides” (Lok Sabha 2024).

Subject Analysis:

• High-value GS-2 topic linking institutional credibility, electoral integrity, and India’s democratic soft power.

GS–3 | BIODIVERSITY

4. Brandt’s Hedgehog

Subtopic: Desert-Adapted Mammals, Species Identification

Value Addition:

• Scientific Name: Paraechinus hypomelas.

• New Record:

  • Identified in Jammu & Kashmir through DNA and morphological analysis.

• Native Range:

  • Middle East and Central Asia.

• Countries: Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Turkmenistan.

• Habitat:

  • Arid and semi-arid zones, rocky deserts, scrublands, dry mountain slopes.

• Behaviour:

  • Nocturnal.

  • Enters hibernation in cold periods.

• Physical Traits:

  • Black to brown face with scattered white hairs.

  • Lighter spine protection allows faster movement.

• IUCN Status: Least Concern.

Subject Analysis:

• Useful GS-3 topic on range expansion, species discovery, and desert ecology.

GS–3 | MARITIME SECURITY

5. ICGS Sankalp

Subtopic: Coastal Security, Indian Ocean Operations

Value Addition:

• Type: Offshore Patrol Vessel.

• Commissioned: 2008.

• Built By: Goa Shipyard Limited (indigenous).

• Service: Indian Coast Guard.

• Operational Roles:

  • EEZ surveillance.

  • Maritime law enforcement.

  • Search and rescue.

• Specifications:

  • Length: 105 m.

  • Endurance: 6,500 nautical miles.

  • Displacement: ~2,325 tonnes.

• Aviation Capability:

  • Embarked HAL Chetak helicopter.

• Armament:

  • Two 30 mm CRN-91 naval guns.

• Recent Context:

  • Overseas deployment to Mauritius, reinforcing IOR cooperation.

Subject Analysis:

• GS-3 relevance for maritime domain awareness and SAGAR vision.

GS–3 | NAVAL SCIENCE & DIPLOMACY

6. INS Sagardhwani & Sagar Maitri-5

Subtopic: Oceanography, Defence Research Cooperation

Value Addition:

• INS Sagardhwani:

  • Commissioned 1994.

  • Built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders.

  • Specialised marine acoustic research vessel.

• Strategic Role:

  • Supports Underwater Domain Awareness.

• Historic Link:

  • Retraces route of INS Kistna (International Indian Ocean Expedition, 1962–65).

• Sagar Maitri-5:

  • Full form: Marine and Allied Interdisciplinary Training and Research Initiative.

  • Joint initiative of Indian Navy and DRDO.

• Strategic Alignment:

  • Linked to MAHASAGAR vision.

• Partner Countries:

  • Oman, Maldives, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Myanmar.

• Key Focus:

  • Joint oceanographic studies, especially with Maldives.

Subject Analysis:

• Strong GS-3 topic connecting science diplomacy, naval research, and regional cooperation.

GS–3 | SCIENCE & MATERIALS

7. Soft Matter

Subtopic: Condensed Matter Physics, Everyday Science

Value Addition:

• Definition:

  • Materials easily deformed by small thermal fluctuations or minor stress.

• Examples:

  • Toothpaste, shampoo, curd, gels, foams, polymers, liquid crystals, living cells.

• Structural Feature:

  • Mesoscopic scale (between molecular and macroscopic).

• Bonding:

  • Held by weak intermolecular forces, unlike metals or ceramics.

• Key Property:

  • Flow under force but retain shape at rest.

• Industrial Use:

  • Food processing, medicine, construction, electronics, manufacturing.

• Sensitivity:

  • Properties change sharply with temperature, force, time, or environment.

Subject Analysis:

• GS-3 topic bridging basic science and applied industrial relevance.

• Useful for prelims on interdisciplinary science concepts.