Daily Current Affairs- 29th January 2026

Daily Current Affairs- 29th January 2026

Why Madhya Pradesh Has Declared 2026 as the Year of Agriculture?

In the News: Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav officially launched the Farmer Welfare Year 2026 (also known as Krishak Kalyan Varsh) at a state-level programme at Jumboori Maidan, Bhopal on January 11, 2026. During the 77th Republic Day celebrations, Governor Mangubhai Patel formally announced and reiterated the state's resolve to observe 2026 as the "Year of Agriculture" while outlining the government's achievements and future roadmap.

Key Points:

• Agriculture Budget Expansion: The budget for agriculture and allied sectors has witnessed a dramatic increase from ₹600 crore in 2002–03 to over ₹27,000 crore in 2024–25, demonstrating the government's sustained commitment to the sector.
• e-Mandi Digital Revolution: The e-Mandi scheme has been implemented in 259 agricultural markets (mandis) across the state, with approximately 40 lakh farmers registered on the digital platform.
• Enhanced Cattle Welfare Support: Grants for destitute cattle in cow shelters have been doubled from ₹20 to ₹40 per animal. Correspondingly, budgetary allocation for cattle welfare has increased from ₹250 crore to ₹505 crore, supporting both animal welfare and rural livelihoods linked to cattle rearing.
• Rural Infrastructure Development: Major initiatives have been launched for rural development, including housing under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (11 lakh houses approved, 4 lakh completed), road connectivity through Chief Minister's Majra-Tola Yojana (₹21,000 crore approved for connecting 20,000 settlements), and enhanced employment generation under the Viksit Bharat—Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (VB-G RAM G), which ensures 125 days of employment instead of 100 days under MGNREGA.
• Wildlife Conservation and Tourism: Madhav National Park in Shivpuri has been declared the ninth tiger reserve of the state. New sanctuaries—Dr Bhimrao Sanctuary in Sagar district and Jahangir Sanctuary in Sheopur district—have been established. Nauradehi Sanctuary is being developed as the third habitat for cheetahs, boosting eco-tourism and creating employment opportunities for local residents.

What Does Sampoornata Abhiyan 2.0 Aim to Achieve in Just 90 Days?

In the News: NITI Aayog launched Sampoornata Abhiyan 2.0, a mission-mode on January 28, 2026, running until April 14, 2026, a three-month nationwide campaign. The initiative aims to achieve full saturation of essential government services in health, nutrition, education, sanitation, and animal welfare across 112 Aspirational Districts and 513 Aspirational Blocks, ensuring no eligible beneficiary is left behind.

Key Points:

• Campaign Launch and Timeline: NITI Aayog CEO B.V.R Subrahmanyam inaugurated Sampoornata Abhiyan 2.0 on January 28, 2026, in the presence of senior officials, including Mission Director Rohit Kumar, planning secretaries, district collectors, development partners, and state and district officers. The 90-day campaign will conclude on April 14, 2026, focusing on delivering visible, measurable improvements within a fixed timeframe through outcome-based governance.
• Six KPIs for Aspirational Blocks: The campaign targets six Key Performance Indicators at the block level: (1) Regular supplementary nutrition for children aged 6 months to 6 years under ICDS, (2) Accurate real-time growth measurement and tracking at Anganwadi Centres, (3) Functional toilets in Anganwadi Centres, (4) Clean drinking water availability in operational Anganwadis, (5) Adequate and functional girls' toilet facilities in schools to improve attendance, and (6) Vaccination of bovine animals against Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) to protect rural livelihoods.
• Five KPIs for Aspirational Districts: At the district level, five major indicators will be tracked: (1) Proportion of newborn babies weighed at birth to monitor infant health, (2) Tuberculosis case notification rates from both public and private healthcare facilities, (3) Regular conduct of Village Health Sanitation and Nutrition Days (VHSND) and Urban Health Sanitation and Nutrition Days (UHSND) for community health outreach, (4) Schools equipped with functional girls' toilets, and (5) Universal animal vaccination coverage for livestock security.
• Building on Past Success: Sampoornata Abhiyan 2.0 builds upon the success of the first Sampoornata Abhiyan held in 2024, which demonstrated that focused, time-bound efforts can deliver strong results. The campaign is part of the broader Aspirational Programmes framework, which includes the Aspirational Districts Programme (launched in 2018 covering 112 districts) and the Aspirational Blocks Programme (launched in 2023 covering 513 blocks), both using data-driven approaches to accelerate development in underserved areas.

Which States Ruled Republic Day 2026 Tableaux? The Winners Might Surprise You

In the News: The Republic Day Parade 2026 awards were officially announced, recognizing the best tableaux and marching contingents displayed on Kartavya Path. Maharashtra, Kerala, and Jammu & Kashmir dominated the states category, while the Indian Navy and Delhi Police led among marching contingents. Awards included both jury-based selections and Popular Choice awards determined through MyGov portal voting by citizens.

Key Points:

• Best State Tableaux Winners: In the States and Union Territories category, Maharashtra secured first place for its tableau titled "Ganeshotsav: A Symbol of Aatmanirbharta", emphasizing cultural self-reliance. Jammu and Kashmir won second place with "Handicrafts and Folk Dances of J&K", showcasing regional heritage. Kerala ranked third for "Water Metro & 100% Digital Literacy", linking technology with inclusive growth.
• Best Marching Contingents: The Indian Navy was adjudged the Best Marching Contingent among the three Armed Forces, praised for discipline and synchronization. In the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) and auxiliary forces category, Delhi Police won the top honour. Separate judging panels evaluated different categories to ensure fairness, highlighting operational excellence, ceremonial precision and professional standards.
• Central Ministries Winners: The Ministry of Culture won Best Tableau among Central Ministries for "Vande Mataram – The Soul Cry of a Nation". The Central Public Works Department received a special award for its tableau commemorating 150 years of Vande Mataram. A dance group titled "Vande Mataram: The Eternal Resonance of India" also received special recognition for artistic expression and historical themes.
• Popular Choice Awards - Marching Contingents: Based on public voting through the MyGov portal, the Assam Regiment was voted Best Marching Contingent among the Services, reflecting citizen preference. The CRPF (Central Reserve Police Force) topped the CAPFs category in public voting.
• Popular Choice Awards - Tableaux: In the public voting category for tableaux, Gujarat ranked first with "Mantra of Swadeshi – Self-Reliance – Freedom". Uttar Pradesh came second for "Culture of Bundelkhand", and Rajasthan secured third place for "Bikaner Gold Art (Usta Art)". The Department of School Education and Literacy won among ministries for its National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 tableau.

The Rajasthan honour killing Bill, why Governor has returned it

In the News: Rajasthan Governor Haribhau Bagade returned the Bill to curb honour killings that was passed during the Ashok Gehlot government's tenure (2018-23). The current Bhajan Lal Sharma government cited legal inconsistencies with the new Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) as grounds for the Bill's return.

Key Points:

• Bill Background: The Rajasthan Prohibition of Interference with the Freedom of Matrimonial Alliances in the Name of Honour and Tradition Bill was passed during Ashok Gehlot's tenure as Chief Minister to address the rising incidents of honour killings in the state.
• Need for the Legislation: The Bill was introduced to combat illegal intimidation by self-appointed bodies against Sagotra marriages (within the same gotra) and inter-caste, inter-community, and inter-religious marriages between consenting adults. Chief Minister Gehlot noted that such couples faced violence, intimidation, forced expulsion from homes, and murder in the name of family, caste, or community honour.
• Definition of Offences: The Bill defined three key offences—unlawful assembly (gathering to condemn lawful marriages), endangerment of liberty (pressuring persons to prevent or disapprove marriages), and criminal intimidation. All offences were classified as cognisable, non-bailable, and non-compoundable.
• Punishment Framework: Unlawful assembly members: 6 months to 5 years imprisonment and fine up to ₹1 lakh, Endangering liberty: 2 to 5 years imprisonment and fine up to ₹1 lakh.Criminal intimidation: Up to 7 years imprisonment, Causing simple hurt: 3 to 5 years imprisonment and fine up to ₹2 lakh, Causing grievous hurt: Minimum 10 years to life imprisonment and fine up to ₹3 lakh, Causing death: Death penalty or life imprisonment (remainder of natural life) and fine up to ₹5 lakh.
• Reason for Return: The Bill references sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) that have been repealed. The government argued that Section 103 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, which punishes murder with death or life imprisonment, is sufficient to address honour killings.

Doomsday Clock Moves to 85 Seconds from Midnight

In the News:  The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists moved the Doomsday Clock to 85 seconds to midnight—the closest it has ever been to symbolic global catastrophe. This marks the third time in five years that the clock has moved closer to midnight, reflecting an unprecedented convergence of nuclear, technological, and geopolitical threats facing humanity.

Key Points:

• Record Proximity to Midnight: The Doomsday Clock now stands at 85 seconds to midnight, the closest position in its history since creation in 1947. Midnight symbolizes global catastrophic events, including nuclear war and civilizational collapse.
• Nuclear Weapons Escalation: Major nuclear powers including Russia, China, and the United States are engaged in aggressive posturing. The risk of nuclear weapon use is described as "unsustainably and unacceptably high" due to military operations under nuclear deterrence conditions and renewed great power competition.
• Arms Control Breakdown: The New START Treaty, the last remaining nuclear arms control agreement between the US and Russia, expires on February, 2026, with no clear signal of renewal. Russia suspended inspections and data exchange in 2023, though Putin expressed interest in restarting talks in 2025. Nuclear arms control frameworks are collapsing globally, increasing risks of miscalculation.
• Geopolitical Flashpoints: Ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, rising tensions in East Asia (particularly over Taiwan and the Korean Peninsula), and instability in the Western Hemisphere contribute to global insecurity involving nuclear-armed states.
• Artificial Intelligence Risks: Unregulated AI integration into military systems poses new threats including AI-enabled escalation, misuse in biological research, and weaponized disinformation. Nobel Peace Prize laureate Maria Ressa warned of "informational armageddon" caused by social media and generative AI spreading disinformation.