January 2026 (4th week) Current affairs Practice Questions:

SC landmark verdict 31 Jan 2026 held menstrual hygiene management is part of Article 21 (Right to life with dignity), read with Article 14 (equality) and Article 21A (education). Ordered free biodegradable pads (ASTM D-6954) for Classes 6-12 in all schools, functional gender-segregated disabled-friendly toilets, MHM corners with spare uniforms, DEO annual inspections, non-compliant private schools face de-recognition. Addresses 2-5 days monthly absenteeism, RTIs, and environmental sustainability.

Article 124(4), 124(5), 217, 218 govern removal. Grounds: proved misbehaviour or incapacity.

Procedure:

• Notice signed by 100 Lok Sabha OR 50 Rajya Sabha MPs, submitted to Speaker/Chairman who has threshold discretion to admit/reject.
• If admitted, 3-member inquiry committee (SC judge, HC CJ, jurist) investigates. Then special majority in both Houses (majority of total membership + 2/3 present and voting).
• President issues order.

According to the Economic Survey 2025-26 presented in January 2026, India’s real GDP growth for FY26 is projected at 7.4%, with GVA growth at 7.3%. Driven by strong domestic demand, robust investment (GFCF at 30% of GDP), and services growth, India aims to maintain its position as the fastest-growing major economy.

New START (Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty) is bilateral US-Russia treaty limiting deployed strategic nuclear warheads to 1,550 each, deployed missiles/bombers to 700. Signed 2010, extended 2021 to 2026.

The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) released the new Consumer Price Index (CPI) series. The new series has a base year of 2024, replacing the older 2012 series.

• Updated Consumption Basket: Weights are now based on the Household Consumption Expenditure Survey (HCES) 2023-24, capturing a decade of transformation in household spending.
• Reduced Food Weight: The weight of food and beverages has decreased from approximately 45.86% to 36.75%. This shift may lead to less volatile headline inflation as food prices are typically more susceptible to supply shocks.
• Expanded Item Coverage: The basket now includes 358 items (up from 299), reflecting modern consumption.

IPOI launched by India in 2019 at East Asia Summit Bangkok. It builds upon India’s SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) initiative, which was first announced in 2015.

• Seven Pillars of Cooperation: The initiative focuses on seven thematic areas- maritime security, ecology, resources, capacity building, disaster risk reduction, science-tech, trade-connectivity.
• Spain’s joining (Jan 2026) shows European engagement in Indo-Pacific.

The Buddhist Diamond Triangle, added to the UNESCO tentative list in January 2026, is located in the Jajpur and Cuttack districts of Odisha, India. This serial site consists of three main archaeological sites.

• Ratnagiri & Udayagiri: Situated in the Jajpur district.
• Lalitgiri: Situated in the Cuttack district

In Jan 2026, the Supreme Court delivered a split verdict on Section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Act (PCA) 1988, a 2018 amendment that mandates prior government approval before initiating investigations against public servants for decisions made in their official duties

4B movement (or “Four Nos”) is a radical South Korean feminist movement that has gained renewed international attention, particularly for its role in the country’s record-low birth rates and its expansion as a protest model.

4B = Bihon (no marriage), Bichulsan (no childbirth), Biyeonae (no dating), Bisekseu (no sex).

SC landmark verdict held menstrual hygiene management is part of Article 21 (Right to life with dignity), read with Article 14 (equality) and Article 21A (education).

Article 21 of the Indian Constitution is the most widely interpreted provision, guaranteeing that “No person shall be deprived of his life or personal liberty except according to procedure established by law.

• Scope: Protects both citizens and foreigners.
• Procedural Change: Following Maneka Gandhi (1978), the Supreme Court established that any deprivation of liberty must follow just, fair, and reasonable procedures.
• Golden Triangle: Operates with Articles 14 and 19 to protect against arbitrary state actions