11 January 2026

• Oceans: In 2025, oceans absorbed 23 zettajoules of heat, the highest on record and equivalent to 37 years of global energy consumption.
• Security: National IED Data Management System inaugurated by Home Minister (covered 10 January; formal launch 11 January).
• Aquaculture: India-Fiji extended their agricultural cooperation MoU for five more years, establishing a joint working group.
• Astronomy: Ocean heat absorption crossed 23 ZJ in 2025; 16% of global ocean surface recorded its warmest year.
• Media: Prasar Bharati launched "Creator's Corner" on DD News for emerging digital content creators.

GS area: Environment, Geography

The world's oceans absorbed 23 zettajoules of heat in 2025, the highest annual figure on record.

• Comparison: 23 zettajoules equals approximately 37 years of global energy consumption at 2023 rates.
• Sea surface temperature: 16% of global ocean surface experienced its warmest year on record in 2025.
• Temperature anomaly: Global sea-surface temperature was 0.5 degrees Celsius above the recent baseline.
• Why oceans matter: Oceans absorb over 90% of the excess heat trapped by greenhouse gases. This buffering delays atmospheric warming but accelerates sea-level rise, intensifies marine heatwaves and disrupts ocean circulation.
• Marine heatwaves: Extended periods of anomalously warm sea-surface temperatures. They bleach coral reefs, displace fish stocks and intensify tropical cyclones by providing more energy.
• Sea-level rise mechanism: Thermal expansion of water accounts for roughly one-third of current sea-level rise. Melting ice (Greenland, Antarctica) accounts for the rest.

Static linkage: Ocean circulation, climate change, coral reefs.

GS area: International Relations

India and Fiji extended their bilateral agricultural cooperation MoU for an additional five years.

• Content: Focus areas include small-scale farm machinery, digital agriculture tools and collaborative research.
• Joint Working Group: Established to oversee implementation and identify new cooperation areas.
• India-Fiji relations context: India opened a commissioner's post in Fiji in 1948. The Indo-Fijian community traces its origin to indentured labour brought by the British between 1879 and 1916.
• Indian diaspora in Fiji: Approximately 38% of Fiji's population is of Indian origin, making it one of the highest diaspora concentrations relative to host population globally.

Static linkage: Indian diaspora, South Pacific relations.

GS area: Governance, Media

Prasar Bharati launched "Creator's Corner" on DD News.

• Format: A regular segment on DD News broadcast on Monday to Friday at 7 PM.
• Purpose: A national platform for emerging digital content creators, particularly from small towns and cities outside the major metro markets.
• Content themes: Culture, education, health, science and entertainment.
• Prasar Bharati: The statutory public broadcaster of India, established under the Prasar Bharati (Broadcasting Corporation of India) Act 1990. Operates Doordarshan (television) and All India Radio (radio).
• Significance: Public broadcasting in most countries reserves airtime for educational and developmental content. Creator's Corner uses the DD News platform to amplify local voices.

Static linkage: Public broadcasting, Prasar Bharati Act.

GS area: Science and Technology

The PSLV-C62 mission launched multiple satellites including EOS-N1 (Anvesha) and 18 co-passenger payloads.

• EOS-N1 (Anvesha): Hyperspectral Earth observation satellite (covered 8 January).
• OrbitAid's AyulSAT: 25-kg tanker-satellite demonstrating in-orbit refuelling.
  • Uses Standard Interface for Docking and Refuelling Port (SIDRP).
  • Enables satellite life-extension by transferring fuel in orbit.
  • Reduces space debris by keeping satellites operational longer.
  • Supports India's Debris-Free Space Mission 2030.
• Significance of in-orbit refuelling: Once satellites can be refuelled, they need not carry all their fuel from launch. This enables lighter, cheaper launches and extends mission life by decades.

Static linkage: ISRO missions, space debris, in-orbit servicing.

GS area: Economy, Governance

Tamil Nadu launched India's first dedicated deep technology startup policy.

• Target: Support 100 deep tech startups.
• Investment goal: Mobilise 100 crore rupees.
• Training target: 10,000-plus students in deep tech skills.
• Eligibility condition: Selected startups must maintain 25% minimum workforce in Tamil Nadu.
• Deep tech definition: Startups building products based on substantial scientific or engineering advancement: AI, quantum computing, advanced materials, biotech, robotics.
• Context: Deep tech differs from consumer-facing apps in requiring longer development cycles, more capital and closer university-industry linkages.

Static linkage: State innovation policy, startup ecosystem.

GS area: Environment, Governance

Keyi Panyor district in Arunachal Pradesh was designated India's first Bio-Happy District.

• Concept: M.S. Swaminathan's biohappiness framework, which argues that sustainable human well-being requires biodiversity conservation, not trade-offs against it.
• Implementation: Keyi Panyor district integrates biodiversity conservation, sustainable resource use and community welfare in its governance planning.
• M.S. Swaminathan: Known as the "Father of India's Green Revolution" for his role in introducing high-yielding wheat varieties in the 1960s. In later years, he became a leading advocate for sustainable agriculture and biodiversity-based livelihoods.
• Northeast India relevance: Keyi Panyor is a newly formed district. Arunachal Pradesh is one of India's 12 biodiversity hotspot states.

Static linkage: Biodiversity conservation, Northeast India.

GS area: Modern History, Society

National Youth Day is observed on 12 January, the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda. A preview today.

• Born: 12 January 1863 as Narendranath Datta in Kolkata.
• Key contribution: 1893 Chicago Parliament of Religions speech placed Indian spiritual thought on the global stage. Established Ramakrishna Mission in 1897.
• Philosophy: Four Yogas (Karma, Bhakti, Jnana, Raja Yoga). Philosophy of practical Vedanta: serve the poor as a form of worship.
• Major works: Raja Yoga, Karma Yoga.
• Relevance to current affairs: National Youth Day celebrations involve youth parliament events, essay competitions and university programmes. The NITI Aayog's youth engagement programmes are linked to this day.

Static linkage: Social reform movements, Ramakrishna Mission.

GS area: Polity

Justice Manoj Kumar Gupta was appointed Chief Justice of the Uttarakhand High Court in January 2026.

• Appointment process: High Court Chief Justices are appointed by the President of India on the recommendation of the Supreme Court collegium. The Union Government and the Governor of the state are also consulted.
• Constitutional basis: Article 217 governs appointment of High Court judges. The Chief Justice appointment follows the convention that the collegium recommends a suitable judge from another High Court.
• Tenure: Unlike Supreme Court judges, High Court judges including Chief Justices retire at 62.

Static linkage: Judicial appointments, collegium system.

GS area: Science and Technology, Health

Spina Bifida entered news coverage following a global healthcare summit.

• Definition: A congenital neural tube defect where the spinal cord fails to develop properly in the first 28 days of pregnancy.
• Cause: Maternal folate (folic acid) deficiency is preventable in approximately 70% of cases. Pre-conception folic acid supplementation is the primary prevention.
• Features: Visible spinal swelling (open form), lower limb paralysis, hydrocephalus (requiring VP shunt), urinary and bowel incontinence.
• India's burden: Among the highest globally despite available prevention.
• Policy implication: Mandatory folic acid fortification of staple foods (wheat flour, rice) is recommended but inconsistently implemented in India.

Static linkage: Maternal health, food fortification.

• OrbitAid AyulSAT: In-orbit fuel/power/data transfer demonstration on PSLV-C62. Uses SIDRP (Standard Interface for Docking and Refuelling Port). Supports Debris-Free Space Mission 2030.
• Child Marriage in India: Bal Vivah Mukt Bharat (BVMB) campaign targets elimination by 2030. NFHS-5 (2019-21) showed 23% of women aged 20-24 married before 18.