2026 current affairs Archives | Page 18 of 21

BHARATI Initiative by APEDA: Boosting India’s Agri-Exports | Key Facts for Exams

Why in News?

The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority has launched the BHARATI Initiative to strengthen India’s agri-food export ecosystem. The initiative aims to enhance global competitiveness and export growth

Key Highlights:

Full Form: Bharat’s Hub for Agritech, Resilience, Advancement and Incubation for Export Enablement (BHARATI).
Export Target: Achieve $50 billion agri-food exports by 2030
Startup Focus: Support and incubate 100 agri-food startups

About APEDA

Established in 1986 Statutory body under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry
Promotes export of agricultural and processed food products

https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2163196&reg=3&lang=2

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PM POSHAN Scheme: Centre Examines Breakfast Inclusion | Mid-Day Meal Scheme Update for Exams

Why in News?

The Centre is considering proposals from several States/UTs to include breakfast under the PM-POSHAN scheme.

Key facts related to PM POSHAN scheme:

Originally launched as Mid-Day Meal Scheme (1995)
Renamed as PM Poshan Shakti Nirman (PM POSHAN) in 2021
First school meal initiative started in Madras (1920)
Post-independence expansion by K Kamaraj in 1956.
Cost-sharing pattern-60:40 → Centre : States, 90:10 → Northeastern & Himalayan States

https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2082323&reg=3&lang=2

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Padma Awards 2026: 131 Awardees Announced | Padma Vibhushan List & Key Facts for Exams

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Why in News?

The Government of India has announced 131 Padma Awards on the eve of Republic Day 2026. The awards include 5 Padma Vibhushan, 13 Padma Bhushan, and 113 Padma Shri recipients.

Key Highlights:

Conferred by the President of India.

Total Awards (2026)

Padma Vibhushan – 5
Padma Bhushan – 13
Padma Shri – 113

Padma Vibhushan 2026 Awardees:

Dharmendra Singh Deol (Posthumous) – Art – Maharashtra
K T Thomas – Public Affairs – Kerala
N Rajam – Art – Uttar Pradesh
P Narayanan – Literature & Education – Kerala
V S Achuthanandan (Posthumous) – Public Affairs – Kerala

About Padma awards:

Instituted in 1954
Among the highest civilian awards in India, after the Bharat Ratna.
Padma Vibhushan – Exceptional and distinguished service (2nd highest civilian award)
Padma Bhushan – Distinguished service of a high order (3rd highest)
Padma Shri – Distinguished service in any field (4th highest)

https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2218547&reg=3&lang=1

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Kaamya Karthikeyan became youngest Indian to reach south pole:

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Why in News?

Kaamya Karthikeyan, an 18-year-old from Mumbai, has become the youngest Indian to reach the South Pole. She has also achieved the remarkable feat of scaling the Seven Summits (highest peaks on each continent)

Seven summits:

The Seven Summits challenge involves climbing the highest mountain on each of the seven continents. The seven summits (Continent-wise Highest Peaks) are:

Asia: Mount Everest (8,848 m / 29,029 ft) – Located on the border of Nepal and China, it is the highest point on Earth.
South America: Aconcagua – Located in Argentina, it is the highest peak in the Western and Southern Hemispheres.
North America: Denali – Formerly known as Mount McKinley, it is located in Alaska, USA.
Africa: Mount Kilimanjaro – A dormant volcano in Tanzania, it is the highest free-standing mountain in the world.
Europe: Mount Elbrus – An inactive volcano in the Caucasus Mountains of Russia.
Antarctica: Vinson Massif – The most remote of the summits, located in the Sentinel Range.

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Dulhasti Stage-II Hydropower Project Approved: Chenab River & Indus Basin Projects Explained for Exams

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Why in News?

A panel under the Ministry of Environment has approved the 260 MW Dulhasti Stage-II Hydropower Project in Jammu and Kashmir.

Key Highlights:

Capacity: 260 MW hydropower project
Located in Kishtwar district of Jammu & Kashmir
Extension of the existing 390 MW Dulhasti Stage-I project
Utilizes water from: Chenab River and Marusudar River (via Pakal Dul project)

Key facts about Chenab River

Chenab River also known as Asikni / Chandrabhaga in ancient texts.
Formed by the confluence of Chandra River and Bhaga River.
Confluence point: Tandi (Lahaul & Spiti, Himachal Pradesh).
Flows through: Himachal Pradesh → Jammu & Kashmir → Pakistan (Punjab province).
Major tributary of the Indus River.

https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2236990&reg=3&lang=2

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National Youth Day 2026 (January 12): Swami Vivekananda Birth Anniversary | Key Facts for Exams

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Why in News?

National Youth Day is observed annually on January 12 to mark the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda.

Key facts related to Swami Vivekananda:

Swami Vivekananda was born as Narendranath Datta in Kolkata in 1863.
He was a disciple of Ramakrishna Paramahamsa and played a key role in spreading Indian philosophy globally.
Delivered a historic speech in Chicago in 1983 and introduced Vedanta and Yoga to the Western world.
Advocated universal brotherhood and Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam.
Described by Subhas Chandra Bose as the “maker of modern India”

https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2213415&reg=3&lang=1 https://pscchronicles.com/parakram-diwas-2026-netaji-bose/

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Parakram Diwas 2026: Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Birth Anniversary | Key Facts for UPSC, State PSC and other competitive Exams

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Why in News?

Parakram Diwas is observed every year on January 23 to mark the birth anniversary of Subhas Chandra Bose.

Subhash Chandra Bose Aapda Prabandhan Puraskar:

Subhash Chandra Bose Aapda Prabandhan Puraskar award established to recognize individuals and institutions for their outstanding service in the field of disaster management.

Instituted in 2019, the award is announced annually on January 23rd, the birth anniversary of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose (celebrated as Parakram Diwas).

Recent awardees are:

Institutional Category: Sikkim State Disaster Management Authority
Individual Category: Lt. Col. Seeta Ashok Shelke

Key facts related to Subash Chandra Bose:

Political mentor: Chittaranjan Das
Spiritual influence: Swami Vivekananda
1938 (Haripura Session): Elected President of the Indian National Congress; set up the National Planning Committee
1939 (Tripuri Session): Re-elected after defeating Pattabhi Sitaramayya, leading to ideological differences with Mahatma Gandhi.
Founded the All India Forward Bloc in 1939.
Took command of the INA (Azad Hind Fauj) in Singapore (originally formed by Mohan Singh)
Formed the Rani of Jhansi Regiment, an all-women combat unit led by Captain Lakshmi Sahgal

https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2217989&reg=3&lang=1

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25 Years of PMGSY: Transforming India’s Rural Connectivity Landscape

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The Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) recently reached a historic milestone, celebrating 25 years of connecting rural India. With over 7.87 lakh kilometers of roads completed out of 8.25 lakh kilometers sanctioned, it remains the backbone of rural economic transformation and accessibility.

Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY):

Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) is a flagship nationwide program launched by the Government of India on December 25, 2000. Its primary goal is to provide all-weather road connectivity to unconnected rural habitations to facilitate poverty reduction and socio-economic development

Its objective is to linking unconnected habitations with:

a population of 500 or more in plain areas
250 or more in hill states, tribal areas, and desert areas.

Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India.

https://www.pib.gov.in/PressNoteDetails.aspx?NoteId=155199&ModuleId=3&reg=3&lang=1

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Atal Pension Yojana (APY) Extended: Cabinet Approves Continuation till 2030-31

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Why in News?

Union Cabinet extended the Atal Pension Yojana (APY) until the fiscal year 2030–31. This move aims to ensure long-term social security for India’s unorganized workforce.

About Scheme:

Atal Pension Yojana (APY) is a government-backed pension scheme in India primarily targeted at workers in the unorganised sector. Launched in 2015, it provides a guaranteed minimum monthly pension of ₹1,000 to ₹5,000 after the age of 60, depending on the subscriber’s contribution and age of joining

Age: Must be between 18 and 40 years.
Citizenship: Must be an Indian citizen.
Regulatory Body: The scheme is administered and regulated by the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA).

https://static.pib.gov.in/WriteReadData/specificdocs/documents/2025/may/doc202558551701.pdf

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Census 2027: India’s First Digital Census

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Why in News?

The Government of India has officially issued the notification for the 16th National Census, originally delayed from 2021 due to the pandemic. This exercise is critical as it marks a historic shift in India’s demographic data collection, introducing digital-first methodology and the first nationwide caste count since 1931.

Key Highlights of Census 2027:

The Census will be executed in two distinct phases to ensure comprehensive data accuracy

Phase I: House-listing & Housing Census (April – September 2026): Each State and Union Territory will designate a 30-day window within this period to identify and list residential structures across the country.
Phase II: Population Enumeration (February 2027): The actual counting of individuals and collection of socio-economic data will occur during this month.

Major Policy Shifts:

Digital Transformation: This is India’s first “Paperless Census.” Data will be collected via mobile applications.
Caste-Based Enumeration: In a landmark decision, the 2027 Census will include a specific count of castes. While the 1931 Census was the last to do this nationwide, this is the first time in Independent India that such data will be collected during the general census

Static General Knowledge Link: Key Facts

Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).
Conducted by the Office of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India.
Governed by the Census Act, 1948
1872: The first non-synchronous census was conducted under Lord Mayo.
1881: The first synchronous (complete and simultaneous) census was held under Lord Ripon.
2027 Edition: This will be the 16th Census of India overall and the 8th Census since Independence.
Seventh Schedule: The Census is a Union Subject listed under Entry 69 of List I.

https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2202983&reg=3&lang=1

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