Daily Current Affairs — 29 January 2026
5 articles • UPSC Prelims & Mains
Solid Waste Management (SWM) Rules 2026
In News India has notified the Solid Waste Management (SWM) Rules, 2026, replacing the 2016 version to embed circular economy principles and producer responsibility, effective April 1, 2026. About The rules embed circular economy and Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) to prioritize waste reduction, reuse, recycling, and recovery over disposal. They target urban Indias waste crisis (over 62 million tonnes annually, with bulk generators contributing ~30%), mandating systemic shifts via technol
Intellectual Property and Space Activities
In News Human space activity highlights a clash between territorial patent law and multinational, collaborative innovation beyond any nation’s sovereignty. Innovation in Space Human space habitation is becoming a practical reality, relying on continuous, collaborative technological innovation for survival, but this raises unresolved questions about who owns inventions created in space beyond national sovereignty.
Gaps in Civil Aviation Safety Framework: Parliamentary Panel Report
Context A Parliamentary Standing Committee had flagged serious weaknesses in India’s civil aviation safety ecosystem, months before the recent plane crash in Baramati in Maharashtra causing the death of Deputy Chief Minister. About India’s Civil Aviation Safety Framework It is a multi-layered regulatory and oversight system led by the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) and implemented through specialized statutory bodies such as the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), Aircraft Accident
India-Saudi Arabia: Deepening Strategic Partnership in Security
Context The 3rd India–Saudi Arabia Security Working Group meeting was held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Key Highlights of the India–Saudi Security Dialogue Focus Areas: Counter-terrorism cooperation, including emerging threats. Countering extremism and radicalisation.
Diamond Triangle of Buddhist Sites in Odisha
Context UNESCO has reportedly included three Buddhist heritage sites from Odisha- Ratnagiri, Udayagiri and Lalitgiri, in India’s tentative list for potential recognition as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. About The tentative list identifies sites that are of outstanding universal value, either culturally or naturally, and suitable for potential inscription in the World Heritage List These sites, collectively known as the ‘Diamond Triangle’, are believed to reflect the spread and evolution of all th