Daily Current Affairs — 21 January 2026
5 articles • UPSC Prelims & Mains
UGC’s Circular Mandating the Teaching of a Third Language in Higher Education
In News The Tamil Nadu government strongly opposed the UGC’s circular mandating the teaching of a third language in higher education. Background The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 retains the three-language formula introduced in 1968 but offers more flexibility. Unlike the earlier policy, it does not make Hindi compulsory.
The Importance of ‘Pax Silica’ For India
Context Recently, the United States convened the inaugural Pax Silica Summit, emphasizing reducing coercive dependencies, securing the flow of critical minerals, and promoting trusted digital ecosystems. About ‘Pax Silica’ The term ‘Pax Silica’ derived from Latin ‘Pax’ (peace) and ‘Silica’ (a core compound in semiconductors). It symbolizes the pursuit of technological peace and prosperity through resilient, transparent, and cooperative supply chains.
The EV Boom is Accelerating a Copper Crunch
Context The global shift toward electric vehicles (EVs) is leading to a growing challenge of copper crunch. About Copper forms the backbone of EV batteries, motors, wiring, charging infrastructure, and power grids. As EV adoption accelerates, copper demand has entered a phase of exponential growth that many policymakers and markets have underestimated.
New Lancet Report Sets Citizen-Centred Healthcare Guidelines For India
Context The Lancet Commissions new report charts a rights-based, citizen-centred roadmap for Universal Health Coverage in India, aligning with Viksit Bharat 2047. About The reforms described in the report promote community participation, transparency and equity key principles of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) aimed at ensuring high-quality, affordable care for all. It emphasizes the urgent need to strengthen Indias public healthcare by integrating services across primary, secondary, and tertiar
Ex-CAPF Officials Concerns over IPS Appointments in CAPFs
Context Retired Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) officers have moved the Supreme Court with a contempt petition alleging failure to implement the Court’s 2025 order directing a progressive reduction of IPS deputation in CAPF. Background In the case of Sanjay Prakash Others vs Union of India, 2025, the Supreme Court ruled that: Group A officers of CAPFs are to be treated as “Organised Services” for all purposes. The deputation of IPS officers to Senior Administrative Grade (SAG) posts i.e., up t