TLDR;
Alright guys, so this video is a detailed current affairs update for January 2026, focusing on topics relevant for exams like CDS and AFCAT. It covers important events like India-EU trade agreements, defense updates, national and international news, sports, economics, science and tech, and key appointments. The speaker also emphasizes the importance of reading the 'Smiling Buddha' current affairs booklet and shares insights on exam preparation.
- India-EU trade agreement and its benefits
- Key defense updates and exercises
- Important national and international news
- Tips for exam preparation and current affairs
Introduction and Importance of Current Affairs [0:00]
The speaker starts by asking about the number of stars in the European Union flag, relating it to a similar question in a past NDA exam. He stresses that some exam questions can't be answered just by rote learning, but require pictorial memory and general awareness. Even if you find AFCAT tough, don't worry too much about scoring very high; doing your best with the knowledge you have is often enough. The speaker also asks if the audience wants the 'Bad Series' to be restarted, which helps in tackling unpredictable questions in exams.
India and European Union (EU) Partnership [3:43]
India and the EU have established their first comprehensive security and defense partnership. The EU is in the news a lot, hence the question about the flag. The speaker also mentions historic trade deals with the EU. There are 27 countries in the European Union. The EU flag has 12 golden stars in a circle against a blue background. The need for the EU arose after World War II, leading to treaties like the Treaty of Paris and the Treaty of Rome. The most important treaty was the Maastricht Treaty in 1992, which established the European Union. Founding members included France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Luxembourg, and Belgium.
Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the EU [6:56]
India signed a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the EU, similar to the one with the UK after Brexit. The speaker highlights the importance of reading the 'Smiling Buddha' booklet for current affairs. India and the EU established their first comprehensive security and defense partnership, covering maritime security, defense industry cooperation, defense technology, space security, and cyber defense. The EU is important for India because it provides access to the entire European market. In 2025, India and the EU conducted a naval exercise called India-European Naval Forces.
Mother of All Deals: India-EU Free Trade Agreement [12:14]
India and the EU signed a Free Trade Agreement (FTA), known as the "Mother of All Deals." India has signed FTAs with 22 countries so far. Implementing the FTA with the EU is challenging due to strict EU regulations on environment and climate. All 27 EU countries need to ratify the agreement, followed by approval from the European Parliament. The purpose of the FTA is to reduce tariffs and taxes on exports and imports. The EU will open 97% of its tariff lines, meaning tariffs on 97% of goods from India will be reduced to zero or lowered. This covers 99.5% of the items India exports to the EU, making almost everything tax-free.
Benefits and Impact of the FTA [16:51]
The FTA will benefit Indian companies by reducing taxes and making exports cheaper, leading to more sales, jobs, and forex earnings. Industries like textiles, apparel, leather, and footwear will gain a competitive edge over Pakistan and Bangladesh. India, the fourth largest economy, and the EU, the second largest, together account for one-third of the world's trade. The deal aims to reduce tariffs on both sides, boosting exports and imports. The speaker assigns homework to explain how a falling rupee value affects imports and exports.
Government Press Release on India-EU FTA [21:47]
The India-EU Free Trade Agreement is a strategic breakthrough, announced at the 16th India-EU Summit. Ursula von der Leyen, the EU President, is a key figure. India, the fourth largest economy, and the EU, the second largest, account for 25% of global GDP and one-third of global trade. 99% of Indian exports will benefit from preferential entry. The FTA will open new opportunities for MSMEs. The agreement will provide favorable market access and safeguard sensitive agricultural products. The speaker emphasizes the importance of knowing about the EU President as she was also the chief guest at the Republic Day parade.
Defense News: Year of Networking and Data Centricity [24:26]
The Indian Army declared 2026 as the 'Year of Networking and Data Centricity'. DRDO conducted the first flight test of the Pinaka long-range guided rocket, with a maximum tested range of 120 km. The rocket is developed with the help of Armament Research and Development Establishment. The Pinaka rocket includes imaging infrared and fire control systems, with different labs contributing to its development.
DRDO's Innovations and Coastal Security [26:37]
DRDO created a hand-operated seawater desalination system named 'Swadesh' for coastal, hilly, and desert areas. The Indian Coast Guard and Japan's Coast Guard conducted a joint exercise named 'Samudra Prahari' in Mumbai to tackle hazardous and noxious substances. Swedish defense firm Saab demonstrated the capabilities of the RBS 15 missile, a fire-and-forget anti-ship missile that can also attack ground targets.
Exercise Dosti and Operation Prahar [30:55]
Exercise Dosti concluded with the Maldives hosting the 17th edition, involving India, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives. Operation Prahar was launched by Punjab Police to crack down on gangsters, involving 2000 teams and 12,000 personnel. Exercise Saanjh Shakti, a joint military-civil fusion exercise, was conducted by the Indian Army at Dighi Hills Range.
DRDO's Missile Tests and Republic Day Parade [34:38]
DRDO successfully tested the Man-Portable Anti-Tank Guided Missile (MPATGM) at KK Range in Maharashtra, a fire-and-forget missile that can be launched from a tripod or vehicle. The 77th Republic Day parade featured the long-range anti-ship hypersonic missile developed by DRDO, with a range of 1500 km and a speed of 5-10 Mach.
Double-Humped Camels and IIT Madras's Innovation [37:00]
The Republic Day parade also featured the double-humped Bactrian camels from Ladakh, known as silent warriors, with the IUCN listing them as critically endangered. IIT Madras successfully developed and tested a ramjet-propelled 155mm artillery shell, which increases the range of conventional guns by compressing incoming air and generating thrust.
Operation Mega Buru and Other National News [42:08]
Operation Mega Buru was launched by Jharkhand Police in the Saranda Forest. Assam became the first state in India to constitute its 8th State Pay Commission, with Subhash Das as its chairman. The Central Pay Commission is a temporary body with a chairperson, a part-time member, and a member secretary, given 18 months to provide recommendations.
Rajasthan's Initiative and India's Economic Growth [46:43]
Rajasthan Government launched a new digital communication initiative called E-Swasthya Samvad to promote transparency and administrative efficiency. India surpassed Japan to become the world's fourth-largest economy, with a GDP of $4.18 trillion. The speaker also shares that India is projected to overtake Germany by 2030. The top three economies are the USA, China, and Germany.
India's Rice Production and Other National Updates [50:14]
India became the world's largest producer of rice, surpassing China. Karnataka reported its first sighting of an ultra-rare strawberry-colored leopard. The Bhoramdev Corridor Project, aimed at developing the Bhoramdev Temple, was inaugurated as part of the Swadesh Darshan Scheme. Under Operation Milap, Delhi Police located 1303 missing persons using modern technology.
Haryana's Hydrogen Train and Other Initiatives [55:33]
Haryana will launch India's first hydrogen-powered train, running from Jind to Sonipat. Sanskarshala, a value-based program for children aged 4-14, was launched by the Assam government. India became the first country to commercially produce bio-bitumen for road construction. Adani Group started the 570-megawatt Wangchhu hydroelectricity project in Bhutan.
Somnath Temple and UIDAI's Initiative [57:33]
The Somnath Swabhiman Parv was celebrated to mark 1000 years since the first attack on the Somnath Temple. UIDAI launched a resident-facing Aadhaar mascot named Uday to simplify Aadhaar-related communication. Pankhudi Portal was launched to connect women and organizations working for women's welfare.
Bhashini Community and Boro Festival [1:00:09]
Bhashini Community Workshop was held in New Delhi to enhance India's language AI ecosystem. Boro festival, the biggest annual festival, is celebrated by the Hatti tribe in Himachal Pradesh. Bombay Natural History Society released 15 critically endangered Indian vultures in Melghat Tiger Reserve, Maharashtra.
GI Tag for Nagauri Asgandha and Other National News [1:02:50]
The center granted GI tag to Nagauri Asgandha, mainly grown in Nagaur district of Rajasthan. Pongal, a major harvest festival in Tamil Nadu, was celebrated. The theme for the Bharat Electricity Summit was "Electrifying Growth: Empowering Sustainability, Connecting Global." GAIL completed the 694 km Mumbai-Nagpur natural gas pipeline.
Tamil Nadu's AI Park and Other National Updates [1:05:22]
Tamil Nadu government signed an agreement with Servaram AI to establish India's first full-stack sovereign AI park. India's first sleeper Vande Bharat train will connect Howrah to Guwahati or Kamakhya. The theme for the 77th Republic Day was 150 Years of Vande Mataram. Kok Borok Day is celebrated on January 19 in Tripura.
Dolphin Survey and Bharat Rang Mahotsav [1:06:23]
India launched the second range-wide dolphin survey, with the first survey estimating 6327 river dolphins in India. Bharat Rang Mahotsav, the world's largest international theatre festival, will be organized by the National School of Drama. National Voters Day is celebrated on January 25, with the theme "My India, My Vote."
Menopause Clinic and New Delhi Book Fair [1:09:31]
Maharashtra became the first state to have dedicated menopause clinics. The 53rd New Delhi Book Fair was held, with Qatar as the guest of honor and Spain as the focus country. The theme was "Indian Military History: Valour and Wisdom at 75."
Rare Earth Reserves and Pradhan Mantri Gati Shakti [1:11:23]
The speaker explains that rare earth minerals are abundant but hard to find, with 17 metals in rare earth reserves. China holds 48% of the world's rare earth reserves, while India holds only 6%. The Prime Minister led the 50th PRAGATI meeting, a technology-enabled governance platform.
Ban on Nimesulide and PESA Act [1:17:25]
The Union Health Ministry banned oral nimesulide formulations above 100mg due to safety concerns. Jharkhand recently enforced the Panchayat (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act (PESA) after 25 years, aiming to extend the Panchayati Raj system to tribal areas.
Padma Awards and International News [1:20:11]
The Padma Awards were first given in 1954. Five Padma Vibhushan awards were announced. Saudi Arabia struck Mukalla, a port city in Yemen. China released footage of the YJ-21 hypersonic anti-ship missile. India and Bhutan signed an MoU to allow Bhutanese law clerks to work in the Supreme Court of India.
Operation Hockey and Other International News [1:23:26]
Operation Hockey is a joint military operation between the US and Jordan in Syria. Abla El-Omary became the first woman to preside over Egypt's parliament. Kochi will host the 9th International Spice Conference. Venezuela offered its Nobel Peace Prize to Trump, leading the Nobel Committee to clarify that awards are non-transferable.
US Actions and Global Buddhist Summit [1:24:44]
The US withdrew from 66 international organizations. The Second Global Buddhist Summit was held in India. Israel will join the Board of Peace for Gaza, with India receiving an invitation as well.
BRICS Presidency and Operation Absolute Resolve [1:26:54]
India launched the BRICS presidency logo, inspired by the lotus, with five colored petals in the order of blue, yellow, orange, green, and red. The US conducted Operation Absolute Resolve, allegedly abducting Venezuela's president.
Mercosur and Trump's Proposal for Greenland [1:28:24]
Mercosur, a South American trade bloc, gained attention. Trump proposed buying Greenland to counter Russia and China and access rare earth minerals. Greenland, the world's largest island, is a self-governing territory of Denmark.
US Pressure on Chabahar Port and World Braille Day [1:31:59]
The US pressured India to withdraw from Iran's Chabahar port. World Braille Day is celebrated on January 4. Scientists used supercomputer simulations to provide evidence for the Mpemba effect, where hot water freezes faster than cold water.
Coal Production and Telecommunications Cooperation [1:33:56]
Coal production is at a record high in India. India and Germany signed a joint declaration of intent on telecommunications cooperation. Wings India 2026, Asia's biggest civil aviation event, was held in Hyderabad.
INS Sagar Dhwani and Zero Waste City [1:35:11]
INS Sagar Dhwani, a DRDO research vessel, was launched for the Sagar Maitri Five mission. Lucknow became UP's first zero fresh waste dump city, achieving 100% scientific waste processing. The President inaugurated Granth Kuteer at Rashtrapati Bhavan, housing 2300 books in 11 classical languages.
Naval Deployments and INS Sudarshini [1:36:37]
The Indian Navy's first training squadron was deployed to Southeast Asia. INS Sudarshini will embark on a transoceanic sail expedition, Lokayan 26, covering 22,000 nautical miles and visiting 18 foreign ports.
Sports News: Cricket and Hockey [1:38:28]
Sonam from Bhutan took eight wickets in eight balls in a T20 match. Deepti Sharma became the highest wicket-taker in women's T20 international cricket. The Indian women's hockey team won a silver medal at the 2025 Women's Asia Cup.
Economics and Science & Tech News [1:39:34]
The Delhi government and RBI signed an MoU for RBI banking cash management. India plans vehicle-to-vehicle communication technology by 2026. ISRO's dust experiment found one interplanetary dust particle in Earth's atmosphere.
Supercomputing and Space Discoveries [1:42:38]
IIT Madras launched Param Shakti, an indigenously built supercomputing system. NASA's Hubble Space Telescope identified a mysterious cloud named Cloud N. Voyager 1, launched by NASA in 1977, is the most distant human-made object from Earth.
Miyawaki Method and Artemis Mission [1:43:26]
The Miyawaki method, a Japanese technique, promotes urban forests. The Artemis 2 mission, NASA's crewed mission, will be the first human journey to the Moon in 50 years.
Appointments and Awards [1:44:53]
Ravinder Kumar Agarwal became the Chairman and Managing Director of FCI. Lieutenant General Harpal Singh became the 29th Director of BRO. Group Captain Shubhansu Shukla received the Ashok Chakra.
Miscellaneous News and Conclusion [1:46:43]
Archaeologists in Pakistan discovered 2000-year-old Kushan Empire coins. Madhav Gadgil, who led a panel to protect the Western Ghats, passed away. The UN designated 2026 as the International Year for Rangelands and Pastures. The speaker concludes by thanking the audience and promising to restart the Bad Series.
