Daily Current Affairs - 12th January 2026
- TPP
- Jan 12
- 15 min read
Comprehensive UPSC Current Affairs Summary | Indian Diaspora as Global Bridge & Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, Weimar Triangle, Shaksgam Valley, Record Fertiliser Production 2025, VDA AML/CFT Guidelines, DRDO Scramjet & Hypersonic Missile Progress, NIDMS Counter-IED Platform, Param Shakti Supercomputer @ IIT Madras, FSO Communication, Graphene Sensor Innovations, Zehanpora Buddhist Site Discovery and more.
If you missed Monthly Current Affairs Pointers (CAP) | Sept - Oct 2025, read it here.Table of Content
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
ENVIRONMENT & GEOGRAPHY
MISCELLANY
Indian Diaspora as a Global Bridge
The Prime Minister stated that the Indian diaspora acts as a living bridge connecting India with the world, highlighting its strategic global role.
This statement was made on Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD), which celebrates the contribution of overseas Indians to nation-building.
PBD is a biennial flagship event, meaning it is held once every two years.
PBD is celebrated on 9th January, commemorating the day in 1915 when Mahatma Gandhi returned to India from South Africa, marking the beginning of his leadership in India’s freedom struggle.
About Indian Diaspora
The Indian diaspora refers to people who have migrated from territories that are currently within the borders of India.
The diaspora includes Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), who are Indian citizens residing outside India.
It also includes Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs), meaning foreign citizens with Indian ancestry.
It further includes Overseas Citizens of India (OCI), who enjoy lifelong visa and limited rights in India.
PIO and OCI card holders were merged into a single OCI category in 2015 to simplify diaspora engagement.
As of January 2025, the total Indian diaspora population is 34.35 million worldwide.
Out of this, 17.17 million are NRIs, reflecting India’s extensive global presence.
Significance of the Indian Diaspora
The diaspora enhances India’s soft power, which refers to influence through culture and values rather than force.
Indian diaspora members spread cultural practices such as Yoga and festivals like Diwali, strengthening people-to-people ties.
The diaspora plays a major economic role through remittances, which are funds sent back to India.
India is the world’s largest recipient of remittances, receiving approximately USD 135 billion in FY25.
The diaspora acts as a trade and investment bridge between India and host countries.
Diaspora entrepreneurs facilitate India–US IT and services trade, strengthening economic cooperation.
The diaspora provides diplomatic leverage, meaning it enhances India’s influence in bilateral relations.
A strong diaspora presence supports India’s growing ties with regions like West Asia.
The diaspora contributes to political advocacy, meaning influencing policy decisions in host countries.
Diaspora groups can lobby local governments and international organizations on issues important to India.
Initiatives for Indian Diaspora Engagement
India follows the 4 Cs of Diaspora Engagement policy framework to strengthen overseas ties.
Care focuses on the welfare and protection of Indian communities abroad.
Connect aims to link India with global diaspora networks.
Celebrate emphasizes shared heritage and cultural identity.
Contribute encourages diaspora participation in India’s development.
The Know India Programme (KIP) is designed to engage young diaspora members.
KIP targets individuals aged 18–35 years to familiarise them with India’s culture and heritage.
The Indian Community Welfare Fund (ICWF) provides financial assistance to overseas Indians.
ICWF supports Indian nationals during distress and emergency situations abroad, ensuring safety and dignity.
Weimar Triangle
The Minister of External Affairs of India participated in India’s first-ever engagement with the Weimar Triangle, marking a new diplomatic outreach.
The Weimar Triangle is a regional political alliance consisting of France, Germany, and Poland.
It was established in 1991 in the German city of Weimar, giving the grouping its name.
The alliance was initially formed to support German–Polish reconciliation, which refers to rebuilding political trust after historical conflicts.
Over time, the Weimar Triangle evolved into a key forum for political consultation among the three European nations.
One of its primary objectives is to promote European integration, meaning closer political and economic unity within Europe.
The grouping also aims to enhance political dialogue, which involves regular discussions on regional and global issues.
It further focuses on security cooperation, referring to coordination on defence and strategic matters among member states.
Shaksgam Valley
India has formally objected to China’s infrastructure projects in the Shaksgam Valley, asserting its sovereignty over the region.
The Shaksgam Valley is a strategically located territory in the Ladakh region, highlighting its geopolitical importance.
The valley lies north of the Karakoram watershed, which is a natural mountain divide separating river systems.
It is considered an integral part of India, based on India’s territorial claims and historical boundaries.
The region has been under Pakistan’s occupation since 1947, following the conflict after India’s independence.
Pakistan unlawfully ceded the Shaksgam Valley to China under the 1963 China–Pakistan Boundary Agreement, which India does not recognize.
The Shaksgam Valley is also known as the Trans-Karakoram Tract, a term referring to its location beyond the main Karakoram range.
The valley lies along both sides of the Shaksgam River, which flows through the region.
Geographically, the region is bounded by the Kun Lun Mountains, forming its northern limit.
It is also enclosed by the Karakoram mountain range, one of the world’s highest and most rugged ranges.
The Shaksgam Valley lies adjacent to the Siachen Glacier, a strategically sensitive area between India and Pakistan.
India Achieves All-Time High Fertilizer Production in 2025
India achieved an all-time high fertilizer production in 2025, reflecting major progress in domestic manufacturing capacity.
This growth in production has been driven by the establishment of new fertilizer plants across the country.
The increase has also been supported by the revival of previously closed fertilizer units, strengthening existing infrastructure.
Assured availability of raw materials has further enabled uninterrupted fertilizer production.
Status of Fertilizer Production in India
In 2025, total domestic fertilizer production reached a record 524.62 Lakh Metric Tonnes (LMT).
This production figure includes Urea, Diammonium Phosphate (DAP), NPK fertilizers, and Single Super Phosphate (SSP).
Fertilizer production in India has shown a consistent upward growth trajectory over recent years.
As a result of higher domestic output, 73% of India’s total fertilizer requirement is met through domestic production in 2025.
This reflects a reduced dependence on fertilizer imports, enhancing self-reliance.
Significance of Growth of the Indian Fertilizer Industry
Increased domestic production supports fiscal prudence, meaning careful management of government finances.
Reduced fertilizer imports help lower the Current Account Deficit (CAD), which measures the gap between foreign earnings and spending.
Higher domestic production also reduces the fertilizer subsidy burden on the government.
Domestic availability of fertilizers ensures price stability in the agricultural sector.
This stability shields Indian farmers from global price volatility, which refers to sudden fluctuations in international fertilizer prices.
Stable fertilizer prices help control input costs for farmers, supporting sustainable agriculture.
Price stability also contributes to food inflation control, which is essential for economic stability.
Assured fertilizer availability is critical for food security, meaning access to sufficient and affordable food.
Adequate fertilizer supply helps sustain crop yields, ensuring agricultural productivity.
Sustained crop yields are necessary to meet the food requirements of India’s population.
Initiatives for Increasing Domestic Fertilizer Production
The government has focused on the revival of closed fertilizer units to expand domestic capacity.
Fertilizer plants such as Gorakhpur, Ramagundam, Sindri, and Barauni have been revived to significantly increase urea production capacity.
India has adopted strategic sourcing of raw materials to ensure long-term supply security.
This includes Long-Term Agreements (LTAs), which are contracts ensuring stable supply over extended periods.
LTAs have been signed for critical inputs like rock phosphate, a key raw material for phosphatic fertilizers.
The government is also promoting diversification of fertilizer supply sources.
Diversification helps mitigate risks associated with single-source dependency, enhancing resilience.
India is promoting indigenous fertilizer technologies under the ‘Make in India’ initiative.
Innovations such as Liquid Nano Urea are being encouraged to improve nutrient use efficiency.
Nano DAP (Diammonium Phosphate) is also being promoted to enhance fertilizer effectiveness and sustainability.
Guidelines for Reporting Entities Providing VDA Related Services
The Financial Intelligence Unit–India (FIU-IND) issued updated guidelines to regulate service providers (SPs) dealing in Virtual Digital Assets (VDAs).
These guidelines formally bring VDA service providers within the AML/CFT/CPF regulatory framework.
AML (Anti-Money Laundering) refers to measures preventing the conversion of illegal money into legitimate assets.
CFT (Countering the Financing of Terrorism) focuses on stopping financial support to terrorist activities.
CPF (Counter-Proliferation Financing) aims to prevent funding related to the spread of weapons of mass destruction.
Under this framework, VDA service providers must follow due diligence requirements, which involve verifying customer identities.
They must also comply with reporting obligations, similar to other regulated reporting entities.
In 2023, VDA service providers were brought under the ambit of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, strengthening legal oversight.
Key Highlights of the Guidelines
Every VDA Reporting Entity is required to appoint a Principal Officer (PO).
The Principal Officer is responsible for ensuring compliance with AML/CFT/CPF regulations.
The guidelines mandate enhanced cybersecurity and data protection measures for VDA service providers.
Each VDA service provider must obtain a Cyber Security Audit Certificate.
This certificate must be issued by an auditor empaneled with the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In).
CERT-In is the national agency responsible for responding to cybersecurity incidents in India.
The guidelines introduce reporting requirements for unhosted wallet transactions.
Unhosted wallets, also known as self-custody wallets, are digital wallets controlled directly by users without intermediaries.
Reporting entities must collect and maintain data on transfers involving unhosted wallets.
What is a Virtual Digital Asset (VDA)?
A Virtual Digital Asset (VDA) is defined under the Income-tax Act, 1961. A VDA includes any digitally generated information, code, number, or token, excluding Indian or foreign currency.
Such assets are created using cryptographic or similar technological means.
A VDA represents digital value in electronic form.
VDAs are electronically transferable (enabling digital transactions), storable (allowing digital holding of value) and tradable (facilitating buying and selling on digital platforms).
The definition of VDA includes Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs) and similar digital tokens.
An NFT is a unique digital token that cannot be replaced on a one-to-one basis.
NFTs can represent digital collectibles, such as digital art or media.
NFTs can also represent real-world assets, such as property or intellectual rights.
Taxation of Virtual Digital Assets
Income from the transfer of VDAs is taxed at a flat rate of 30% under Indian tax laws.
This tax is applicable along with surcharge and cess, as prescribed.
DRDO Tests Full-Scale Scramjet Engine for Hypersonic Missiles
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully tested a full-scale scramjet engine, marking a major technological milestone.
The test was conducted by DRDO’s Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL), a premier missile research facility.
The engine tested was a full-scale, actively cooled, long-duration scramjet engine, designed for sustained hypersonic flight.
Active cooling refers to a thermal management system that protects engine components from extreme heat at hypersonic speeds.
The Actively Cooled Scramjet Full-Scale Combustor operated successfully for more than 12 minutes during ground testing.
This successful test serves as a foundational achievement for India’s indigenous Hypersonic Cruise Missile Development Programme.
About Scramjet Engine
A scramjet engine stands for Supersonic Combustion Ramjet.
A scramjet is an advanced improvement over the ramjet engine.
A ramjet is a type of air-breathing jet engine that relies on the vehicle’s forward speed.
In a ramjet, incoming air is compressed by high-speed motion, eliminating the need for a rotating compressor.
In a scramjet, combustion occurs at supersonic airflow speeds, enabling hypersonic propulsion.
Key Features of Ramjet and Scramjet Engines
Both ramjets and scramjets require assisted take-off, as they cannot generate thrust at zero air speed.
These engines become operational only after achieving high initial velocity through external propulsion.
Scramjet engines are lighter than conventional rocket engines, reducing overall missile weight.
They are also more fuel-efficient than rockets, allowing extended operational range.
Improved efficiency enables longer-range hypersonic missions.
With this achievement, India joins an elite group of nations with proven scramjet technology.
This group includes the United States, Russia, and China, among a few others.
About Hypersonic Weapons
Hypersonic weapons are weapons capable of traveling at speeds exceeding Mach 5.
Mach 5 corresponds to speeds above 6,100 km per hour, enabling extremely rapid strike capability.
Such weapons offer rapid global reach, significantly reducing response time.
Hypersonic weapons possess high evasion capability against air defence systems.
They typically fly at lower altitudes than ballistic missiles, complicating detection and tracking.
Types of Hypersonic Weapons
Hypersonic Glide Vehicles (HGVs) are launched using a rocket booster.
After launch, HGVs glide unpowered toward the target, unlike traditional ballistic trajectories.
Hypersonic Cruise Missiles (HCMs) are self-propelled hypersonic weapons.
HCMs use air-breathing engines such as scramjets for sustained propulsion.
These missiles are precision-guided, ensuring high targeting accuracy.
HCMs maintain sustained and controlled flight throughout their trajectory.
Controlled flight enables accurate strikes on high-value targets.
National IED Data Management System (NIDMS)
The National IED Data Management System (NIDMS) has been inaugurated by the National Security Guard (NSG), strengthening India’s counter-terrorism capabilities.
The NSG is India’s elite counter-terrorism and hostage-rescue force, responsible for handling high-risk security threats.
NIDMS is a secure national digital platform designed for systematic data management.
The platform enables accurate and organized analysis of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs).
An IED is a bomb constructed using unconventional materials and methods, often used in terrorist activities.
NIDMS also supports analysis of bomb explosion–related incidents across the country.
Significance of NIDMS
The system enables pattern analysis, which helps identify recurring methods, materials, or locations used in IED attacks.
NIDMS promotes inter-agency data sharing, improving coordination among security agencies.
Enhanced data integration through NIDMS leads to faster and more effective investigations.
Access to the NIDMS Platform
Access to NIDMS is provided to the National Investigation Agency (NIA), India’s premier counter-terrorism investigation body.
The platform is also accessible to Anti-Terrorism Squads (ATS) operating across different states.
State police forces are authorized users of the NIDMS platform.
All Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), such as CRPF and BSF, can access the system.
This wide access ensures a unified national response to IED-related threats.
Param Shakti Supercomputing Facility
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) launched the Param Shakti supercomputing facility.
The facility has been inaugurated at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras, strengthening India’s academic computing capacity.
The Param Shakti project is funded under the National Supercomputing Mission (NSM), a flagship programme for high-performance computing.
About Param Shakti
Param Shakti is an indigenously developed and manufactured supercomputing system, highlighting India’s technological self-reliance.
The system has a computing capacity of 3.1 Petaflops, where a petaflop means one quadrillion calculations per second.
With this capability, Param Shakti ranks among the most powerful computational systems in Indian academic institutions.
The supercomputer is built using RUDRA series servers developed by the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC).
C-DAC is India’s premier organization for advanced computing and supercomputer development.
Param Shakti operates on an open-source software stack, ensuring flexibility and security.
The system runs on AlmaLinux, which is an enterprise-grade open-source operating system.
The high performance of Param Shakti will support advanced research in aerospace engineering.
It will also enable complex simulations in materials science.
The system will contribute to climate modelling, which involves computer-based climate prediction.
Param Shakti will aid research in drug discovery, accelerating pharmaceutical innovation.
It will further support advanced manufacturing, which relies on precision computation.
About National Supercomputing Mission (NSM)
The National Supercomputing Mission (NSM) was launched in 2015.
The mission aims to connect national academic and research and development (R&D) institutions.
This connection is achieved through a grid of more than 70 high-performance computing facilities across India.
These supercomputers are networked on the National Supercomputing Grid.
The grid operates over the National Knowledge Network (NKN), which is a high-speed data network for education and research institutions.
NSM is jointly steered by the Department of Science and Technology (DST) and MeitY.
The mission is implemented by C-DAC, Pune, which develops the supercomputing infrastructure.
It is also implemented by the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru, which supports research integration.
India’s Major Supercomputers
PARAM 8000 is recognized as India’s first supercomputer, marking the beginning of indigenous high-performance computing.
Param Pravega is currently India’s largest supercomputer in terms of computing capacity.
Param Shivay is known as India’s first indigenously built supercomputer, emphasizing domestic design and manufacturing.
AIRAWAT is a common compute platform for artificial intelligence (AI) research.
AIRAWAT supports knowledge assimilation, which involves large-scale data processing and learning.
Free Space Optical (FSO) Communication
Scientists have achieved the world’s first successful 2 Tbit/s Free-Space Optical (FSO) Communication, marking a breakthrough in ultra-high-speed data transmission.
The experiment used Small Optical Terminals that can be mounted on satellites and High-Altitude Platform Stations (HAPS).
FSO Communication is a wireless data transmission technology that transmits data using modulated laser or light beams through free space.
Unlike conventional systems, FSO does not require optical fibre or cables for transmission.
The technology offers high bandwidth, enabling large volumes of data to be transmitted simultaneously.
It also provides high data rates, supporting ultra-fast communication.
FSO communication ensures enhanced security, as laser beams are difficult to intercept without physical alignment.
The system operates in an unlicensed spectrum, meaning it does not require regulatory frequency allocation.
FSO has multiple applications, including inter-satellite links, which connect satellites in space.
It can also be used for satellite-to-ground communication, facilitating direct transmission of data to Earth stations.
High-Altitude Platform Stations (HAPS) can also employ FSO to provide high-speed connectivity over large areas.
FSO supports last-mile connectivity, which is the final leg of delivering internet or communication services to end-users.
The technology is valuable in disaster and emergency communication, where conventional infrastructure may be unavailable.
A key requirement for FSO communication is a clear line-of-sight between the transmitter and receiver.
However, the system has limitations as it can be affected by atmospheric conditions such as fog, rain, dust, and turbulence.
These atmospheric effects can attenuate or scatter the laser signal, reducing data transmission efficiency.
Graphene
Researchers have developed a low-cost, flexible sensor using pencil-drawn electrodes combined with graphene oxide (GO).
This sensor is considered an eco-friendly alternative to expensive metal-based sensors, reducing environmental impact.
The sensor demonstrates high sensitivity for detecting soil moisture, which is essential for precision agriculture.
It can also detect plant drought stress, helping monitor plant health and optimize irrigation.
Additionally, the sensor can monitor human breathing patterns, showing potential applications in healthcare.
Graphene oxide (GO) is synthesized from graphite, which is an allotrope of carbon.
Graphene, also called the wonder material or miracle material, is a single layer of carbon atoms arranged in a two-dimensional hexagonal lattice.
One key property of graphene is flexibility, as it possesses high elasticity.
Graphene can be stretched up to 20–25% of its original length without breaking.
Another important property is electrical conductivity, as graphene conducts electricity better than copper.
Graphene also has exceptional thermal conductivity, transferring heat more efficiently than any other known material.
In terms of strength, graphene has a mechanical tensile strength roughly 200 times stronger than steel by weight.
Graphene has multiple applications, such as boosting processing speeds in electronics.
It can also enhance battery density in electric vehicles (EVs), improving energy storage.
Graphene is used to strengthen water filters for desalination, enabling efficient freshwater production.
National Environmental Standard Laboratory (NESL)
The CSIR-National Physical Laboratory (CSIR-NPL) has established two apex-level calibration facilities: NESL and the National Primary Standard Facility for Solar Cell Calibration.
CSIR-NPL is India’s apex institution for metrology, serving as the custodian of the nation’s measurement standards.
The National Primary Standard Facility for Solar Cell Calibration positioned India among a select group of global leaders in photovoltaic measurement standards.
About NESL
The National Environmental Standard Laboratory (NESL) is an apex national facility for testing, calibration, and certification of air pollution monitoring instruments.
NESL is considered the world’s second laboratory of its kind, after the United Kingdom.
The facility enables the development of India-specific environmental measurement standards, ensuring accuracy and relevance.
NESL ensures credible data for the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), which aims to reduce air pollution across India.
The laboratory also supports industrial emission audits, helping industries comply with environmental regulations.
Tsunami
Recent NASA satellite observations have challenged the conventional understanding of tsunami behavior.
The findings suggest that tsunamis exhibit a complex pattern of wave dispersion and interaction.
This contrasts with the traditional view of tsunamis as a single, stable, non-dispersive wave.
A tsunami is a giant wave caused by underwater earthquakes or volcanic eruptions.
In the deep ocean, tsunami waves do not dramatically increase in height.
As tsunami waves approach shallower coastal areas, they build up to higher heights due to the decreasing depth of the ocean.
The speed of tsunami waves depends on ocean depth, rather than the distance from the source of the wave.
This means that shallower waters slow the wave, causing it to grow in height and potentially increase its destructive impact near the coast.
Understanding tsunami behavior is crucial for early warning systems and coastal disaster management
Zehanpora Site
The discovery of stupas at Zehanpora highlights Kashmir’s rich Gandhara Buddhist heritage.
This finding emphasizes Kashmir’s historical role as a centre of Buddhist culture and learning.
Zehanpora is located in Baramulla, North Kashmir, along the ancient Silk Route to Kandahar.
The stupa structures at Zehanpora belong to the Kushan period (1st–3rd century CE).
A stupa is a man-made mound or dome-shaped structure, often built to house Buddhist relics.
Archaeologists have found evidence of wooden superstructures, indicating complex architectural designs.
The site also reveals an urban settlement complex, potentially consisting of chaityas and viharas.
Chaityas are Buddhist prayer halls or shrines, while viharas are monastic residences for monks.
Additional findings include Kushan-era pottery, reflecting everyday life and material culture of that period.
Copper artefacts were also discovered, indicating the use of metal tools and decorative items.
Narco Coordination Centre (NCORD)
The Union Home Minister chaired the 9th Apex Level NCORD meeting in New Delhi to review national anti-drug efforts.
The Narco Coordination Centre (NCORD) was established in 2016 and restructured in 2019 under the Ministry of Home Affairs.
NCORD’s mandate is to coordinate Central and State drug law enforcement to control drug trafficking and abuse in India.
The centre operates through a four-tier framework, consisting of Apex, Executive, State, and District Committees.
NCORD helps enforce the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985, which regulates controlled substances in India.
Among NCORD’s initiatives is the NCORD Portal, managed by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), providing information related to drug law enforcement.
The MANAS 24x7 toll-free helpline (1933) supports citizens with drug-related assistance and guidance.
The NIDAAN offender database maintains records of individuals involved in drug-related offenses, assisting law enforcement agencies.
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