UPSC Current Affairs 18 January 2026

GS 3: EconomyPrelimsGS 3: Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways etc.GS 3: Indigenization of Technology and New Technology Development

PM flags off first overnight Vande Bharat sleeper, Pg1

PM Modi inaugurates India's inaugural overnight Vande Bharat sleeper train connecting Kolkata and Guwahati, enhancing transportation infrastructure.

GS 3: EconomyPrelimsGS 3: Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways etc.GS 3: Indigenization of Technology and New Technology Development

PM flags off first overnight Vande Bharat sleeper, Pg1

PM Modi inaugurates India's inaugural overnight Vande Bharat sleeper train connecting Kolkata and Guwahati, enhancing transportation infrastructure.

GS 3: Science & TechnologyGS 2: Social JusticePrelimsGS 2: Health Sector

Paracetamol use in pregnancy not linked to autism: study, Pg7

Lancet study refutes autism link to paracetamol use during pregnancy, affirming its safety and cautioning against unnecessary avoidance.

GS 3: Science & TechnologyGS 2: Social JusticePrelimsGS 2: Health Sector

Paracetamol use in pregnancy not linked to autism: study, Pg7

Lancet study refutes autism link to paracetamol use during pregnancy, affirming its safety and cautioning against unnecessary avoidance.

GS 3: Environment & EcologyGS 3: EconomyPrelimsGS 3: Major Crops, Cropping Patterns and Irrigation SystemsGS 3: Conservation, Pollution and Degradation

Agri emissions are high but output is increasing faster, Pg10

Agricultural output triples since 1961, emissions rise 45%, driven by enhanced productivity and resource efficiency, showcasing 'decoupling'.

GS 3: Environment & EcologyGS 3: EconomyPrelimsGS 3: Major Crops, Cropping Patterns and Irrigation SystemsGS 3: Conservation, Pollution and Degradation

Agri emissions are high but output is increasing faster, Pg10

Agricultural output triples since 1961, emissions rise 45%, driven by enhanced productivity and resource efficiency, showcasing 'decoupling'.

GS 3: Science & TechnologyGS 2: Social JusticePrelimsGS 3: BiotechnologyGS 3: Space Technology

Scientists find spaceflight affects immune genes, deforms brain, Pg10

Spaceflight alters immune gene expression and deforms brain regions, impacting astronaut health, reveals new studies on long-duration space missions.

GS 3: Science & TechnologyGS 2: Social JusticePrelimsGS 3: BiotechnologyGS 3: Space Technology

Scientists find spaceflight affects immune genes, deforms brain, Pg10

Spaceflight alters immune gene expression and deforms brain regions, impacting astronaut health, reveals new studies on long-duration space missions.

GS 1: Indian GeographyGS 3: Science & TechnologyPrelimsGS 3: Space Technology

‘Deep impact’ event may have altered moon’s chemistry, Pg10

Chang'e-6 mission reveals far-side moon rocks with heavier isotopes, suggesting asteroid impact altered lunar chemistry and composition.

GS 1: Indian GeographyGS 3: Science & TechnologyPrelimsGS 3: Space Technology

‘Deep impact’ event may have altered moon’s chemistry, Pg10

Chang'e-6 mission reveals far-side moon rocks with heavier isotopes, suggesting asteroid impact altered lunar chemistry and composition.

GS 3: Science & TechnologyGS 3: EconomyPrelimsGS 3: Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways etc.GS 3: IT and Computers

Can datacentres in orbit solve for AI models’ energy demand?, Pg10

Google explores space-based datacenters powered by solar energy to meet AI's growing energy demands and overcome terrestrial limitations.

GS 3: Science & TechnologyGS 3: EconomyPrelimsGS 3: Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways etc.GS 3: IT and Computers

Can datacentres in orbit solve for AI models’ energy demand?, Pg10

Google explores space-based datacenters powered by solar energy to meet AI's growing energy demands and overcome terrestrial limitations.

GS 2: GovernanceGS 3: Science & TechnologyPrelimsGS 2: Important Aspects of Governance, Transparency and AccountabilityGS 3: Space Technology

What happened to ISRO’s PSLV-C62 mission?, Pg11

ISRO's PSLV-C62 mission faces anomaly during third stage, mirroring PSLV-C61 failure; investigation and public report withheld.

GS 2: GovernanceGS 3: Science & TechnologyPrelimsGS 2: Important Aspects of Governance, Transparency and AccountabilityGS 3: Space Technology

What happened to ISRO’s PSLV-C62 mission?, Pg11

ISRO's PSLV-C62 mission faces anomaly during third stage, mirroring PSLV-C61 failure; investigation and public report withheld.

GS 2: GovernanceGS 3: Internal SecurityGS 3: EconomyPrelimsGS 2: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors

How are crypto firms vetting customers?, Pg11

FIU-IND tightens KYC norms for crypto exchanges mandating stricter customer verification to combat money laundering and terror financing.

GS 2: GovernanceGS 3: Internal SecurityGS 3: EconomyPrelimsGS 2: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors

How are crypto firms vetting customers?, Pg11

FIU-IND tightens KYC norms for crypto exchanges mandating stricter customer verification to combat money laundering and terror financing.

GS 2: GovernanceGS 2: PolityPrelimsGS 2: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectorsGS 2: Statutory, Regulatory and Quasi Judicial Bodies

Has an Arbitration Council been constituted?, Pg11

Union government delays Arbitration Council of India constitution, raising concerns about institutional independence and effectiveness of arbitration reforms.

GS 2: GovernanceGS 2: PolityPrelimsGS 2: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectorsGS 2: Statutory, Regulatory and Quasi Judicial Bodies

Has an Arbitration Council been constituted?, Pg11

Union government delays Arbitration Council of India constitution, raising concerns about institutional independence and effectiveness of arbitration reforms.

GS 2: International RelationsGS 3: EconomyPrelimsGS 3: Effects of Liberalization on the EconomyGS 2: Bilateral, Regional and Global Groupings and Agreements

EU and Mercosur sign free trade deal after 25 years of negotiations, Pg2

EU and Mercosur finalize historic free trade agreement after 25 years, creating world's largest free trade zone.

GS 2: International RelationsGS 3: EconomyPrelimsGS 3: Effects of Liberalization on the EconomyGS 2: Bilateral, Regional and Global Groupings and Agreements

EU and Mercosur sign free trade deal after 25 years of negotiations, Pg2

EU and Mercosur finalize historic free trade agreement after 25 years, creating world's largest free trade zone.

GS 2: GovernanceGS 3: Environment & EcologyPrelimsGS 3: Conservation, Pollution and DegradationGS 2: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors

Delhi AQI nears ‘severe’ range, GRAP IV returns, Pg5

Delhi-NCR reimplements GRAP IV as AQI hits 'severe' 428; schools switch to hybrid mode, construction halts, truck entry restricted.

GS 2: GovernanceGS 3: Environment & EcologyPrelimsGS 3: Conservation, Pollution and DegradationGS 2: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors

Delhi AQI nears ‘severe’ range, GRAP IV returns, Pg5

Delhi-NCR reimplements GRAP IV as AQI hits 'severe' 428; schools switch to hybrid mode, construction halts, truck entry restricted.

GS 3: Science & TechnologyGS 3: EconomyPrelimsGS 3: Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways etc.GS 3: Indigenization of Technology and New Technology Development

Modi flags off first VB sleeper; 'pride of Assam', say passengers, Pg12

India's first Vande Bharat Sleeper train flagged off, connecting Howrah to Guwahati in 14 hours, heralding new era of rail travel.

GS 3: Science & TechnologyGS 3: EconomyPrelimsGS 3: Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways etc.GS 3: Indigenization of Technology and New Technology Development

Modi flags off first VB sleeper; 'pride of Assam', say passengers, Pg12

India's first Vande Bharat Sleeper train flagged off, connecting Howrah to Guwahati in 14 hours, heralding new era of rail travel.

GS 2: GovernanceGS 3: Disaster ManagementGS 3: Environment & EcologyPrelimsGS 3: Disaster and Disaster Management

Decades-Old Toxic Waste Removed: A Historic Decision, Pg13

Madhya Pradesh government removes 337 tonnes of toxic waste from the defunct Union Carbide factory after 40 years.

GS 2: GovernanceGS 3: Disaster ManagementGS 3: Environment & EcologyPrelimsGS 3: Disaster and Disaster Management

Decades-Old Toxic Waste Removed: A Historic Decision, Pg13

Madhya Pradesh government removes 337 tonnes of toxic waste from the defunct Union Carbide factory after 40 years.

GS 3: EconomyPrelimsGS 3: Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways etc.GS 2: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectorsGS 2: Statutory, Regulatory and Quasi Judicial Bodies

RE industry flags concerns over CERC's transmission framework, Pg15

RE industry opposes CERC's transmission connectivity framework, fearing tariff hikes and project delays due to PPA requirements and auction mechanisms.

RE industry flags concerns over CERC's transmission framework, Pg15

RE industry opposes CERC's transmission connectivity framework, fearing tariff hikes and project delays due to PPA requirements and auction mechanisms.

GS 2: GovernanceGS 3: EconomyGS 3: Changes in Industrial Policy and Effects on Industrial GrowthGS 3: Effects of Liberalization on the Economy

Overhaul of import tariffs, customs to cut trade costs: GTRI, Pg15

GTRI proposes import tariff overhaul to boost manufacturing, exports, advocating 5% duty on finished goods and rationalizing extreme tariffs.

GS 2: GovernanceGS 3: EconomyGS 3: Changes in Industrial Policy and Effects on Industrial GrowthGS 3: Effects of Liberalization on the Economy

Overhaul of import tariffs, customs to cut trade costs: GTRI, Pg15

GTRI proposes import tariff overhaul to boost manufacturing, exports, advocating 5% duty on finished goods and rationalizing extreme tariffs.

News Analysis

PM flags off first overnight Vande Bharat sleeper, Pg1

PM flags off first overnight Vande Bharat sleeper, Pg1

Paracetamol use in pregnancy not linked to autism: study, Pg7

Paracetamol use in pregnancy not linked to autism: study, Pg7

Agri emissions are high but output is increasing faster, Pg10

Agri emissions are high but output is increasing faster, Pg10

Scientists find spaceflight affects immune genes, deforms brain, Pg10

Scientists find spaceflight affects immune genes, deforms brain, Pg10

‘Deep impact’ event may have altered moon’s chemistry, Pg10

‘Deep impact’ event may have altered moon’s chemistry, Pg10

Can datacentres in orbit solve for AI models’ energy demand?, Pg10

Can datacentres in orbit solve for AI models’ energy demand?, Pg10

What happened to ISRO’s PSLV-C62 mission?, Pg11

What happened to ISRO’s PSLV-C62 mission?, Pg11

How are crypto firms vetting customers?, Pg11

How are crypto firms vetting customers?, Pg11

Has an Arbitration Council been constituted?, Pg11

Has an Arbitration Council been constituted?, Pg11

EU and Mercosur sign free trade deal after 25 years of negotiations, Pg2

EU and Mercosur sign free trade deal after 25 years of negotiations, Pg2

Delhi AQI nears ‘severe’ range, GRAP IV returns, Pg5

Delhi AQI nears ‘severe’ range, GRAP IV returns, Pg5

Modi flags off first VB sleeper; 'pride of Assam', say passengers, Pg12

Modi flags off first VB sleeper; 'pride of Assam', say passengers, Pg12

Decades-Old Toxic Waste Removed: A Historic Decision, Pg13

Decades-Old Toxic Waste Removed: A Historic Decision, Pg13

RE industry flags concerns over CERC's transmission framework, Pg15

RE industry flags concerns over CERC's transmission framework, Pg15

Overhaul of import tariffs, customs to cut trade costs: GTRI, Pg15

Overhaul of import tariffs, customs to cut trade costs: GTRI, Pg15

More News Analysis

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