1. APPOINTMENTS OF KEY SECURITY CHIEFS AND POLITICAL LEADERSHIP
SUBJECT: POLITY
- New Heads for NIA and BSF: The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) cleared the appointment of senior IPS officers to lead India’s premier security agencies. Rakesh Agarwal has been appointed as the Director General of the National Investigation Agency (NIA), while Praveen Kumar takes charge of the Border Security Force (BSF).
- Leadership Change in ITBP: Along with the NIA and BSF, a new Director General was appointed for the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), ensuring a complete leadership refresh for India’s border and counter-terror wings.
- BJP National Presidency: Senior leader Nitin Nabin officially took charge as the National President of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), succeeding J.P. Nadda. This transition follows the “One Person, One Post” principle of the party.
- Strategic Continuity: These appointments are seen as crucial for maintaining internal security and continuity in administrative policies ahead of the upcoming state assembly elections in several regions.
- Concepts: Article 312 (All India Services); Role of the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) in strengthening India’s executive and security framework.
2. INDIA-UAE STRATEGIC SUMMIT AND ENERGY COOPERATION
SUBJECT: INTERNATIONAL
- $200 Billion Trade Target: During a high-level meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, both nations set an ambitious bilateral trade target of $200 billion by the year 2032.
- Long-term LNG Deal: India’s HPCL and UAE’s ADNOC signed a landmark 10-year agreement for the supply of 0.5 million metric tonnes per annum of Liquified Natural Gas (LNG), bolstering India’s energy security.
- Digital Embassies: Both leaders discussed the establishment of “Digital Embassies” under sovereign arrangements to facilitate seamless data storage and digital diplomacy between the two nations.
- Maritime Heritage: The UAE has agreed to contribute artifacts to the National Maritime Heritage Complex (NMHC) being built at Lothal, Gujarat, showcasing historical maritime links between the Indus Valley and the Arabian Peninsula.
- Regional Stability: Discussions also covered the current situation in the Middle East, emphasizing the need for a “Two-State Solution” and regional peace.
- Concepts: CEPA (Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement); India’s “Link West” Policy which prioritizes strategic ties with Gulf nations.
3. IMF GROWTH FORECASTS AND FRUIT IMPORT TARIFFS
SUBJECT: ECONOMY
- IMF Growth Projection: The International Monetary Fund (IMF), in its World Economic Outlook, projected India’s GDP growth at 7.3% for FY 2025-26, making it the fastest-growing major economy globally.
- Apple Import Duty Cut: Under the India-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (FTA), the import duty on apples from New Zealand was slashed from 50% to 25%, sparking concerns among domestic growers in Himachal Pradesh and Kashmir.
- Quick Commerce Regulations: The Ministry of Consumer Affairs has initiated a crackdown on Quick Commerce (Q-commerce) platforms for “misleading advertisements” regarding 10-minute delivery claims that compromise road safety.
- FPI Inflows: Following the stabilization of global interest rates, India saw a significant surge in Foreign Portfolio Investment (FPI), with over $3.2 billion flowing into Indian equities in the first three weeks of January.
- Digital Currency Expansion: The RBI announced plans to expand the pilot of the Central Bank Digital Currency (e-Rupee) to offline modes to bridge the digital divide in rural India.
- Concepts: Current Account Deficit (CAD); Protectionism vs. Free Trade; The role of FSSAI and CCPA in regulating emerging e-commerce models.
4. TAMIL NADU ED RAIDS AND LEGAL RULINGS ON ENDORSEMENTS
SUBJECT: NATIONAL / TAMIL NADU
- ED Action in Tamil Nadu: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted searches at 21 locations across Tamil Nadu and Kerala in connection with a money laundering probe related to alleged financial irregularities in the Sabarimala Gold trust case.
- Celebrity Endorsement Ruling: The Kerala High Court ruled that celebrities cannot be held directly liable for the quality of products they endorse unless there is a proven fraudulent intent or direct involvement in the company’s operations.
- Civil Defence Drills: The Ministry of Home Affairs conducted a massive Mock Drill in 244 districts, including border districts of Tamil Nadu, to test community preparedness during simulated emergencies.
- Assam Unrest: Internet services were suspended in parts of Assam’s Kokrajhar district following violent protests over a road accident; security forces have been deployed to maintain communal harmony.
- Sunita Williams Retires: Indian-origin astronaut Sunita Williams announced her retirement from NASA after her record-breaking extended stay at the International Space Station (ISS).
- Concepts: Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA); Consumer Protection Act, 2019 (Liability for misleading endorsements).
5. INDIGENOUS AMMUNITION FACILITY AND ARMS EXPORTS
SUBJECT: DEFENCE
- Nagpur Ammunition Facility: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated a new Medium Calibre Ammunition Facility in Nagpur, Maharashtra, to boost domestic production of 30mm and 40mm shells.
- Pinaka Rocket Exports: The first batch of Guided Pinaka Multi-Barrel Rocket Launcher (MBRL) systems was officially flagged off for export to Armenia, marking a major milestone in India’s defense exports.
- Defense Production Record: For the first time, India’s total annual defense production crossed the ₹1.5 lakh crore mark, with the private sector contributing nearly 22% of the total output.
- India-Japan AI Dialogue: India and Japan launched a joint working group on Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Defence, focusing on autonomous underwater vehicles and cybersecurity.
- Sagar Maitri-V: The Indian Navy’s research ship, INS Sagardhwani, set sail for the ‘Sagar Maitri-V’ mission to foster South Asian regional cooperation in ocean research.
- Concepts: Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) 2020; Atmanirbhar Bharat in the defense sector; Strategic importance of the Indo-Pacific partnership.
