Current Affairs [Top Questions]

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Denmark has ended letter delivery after 401 years, becoming the first country to fully phase out traditional mail. The decision comes as digital communication and a 90% drop in mail volumes since 2000 made letter delivery uneconomical. PostNord, the state-owned postal service, delivered its final letters and will now focus on parcels and e-commerce. Around 1,500 public mailboxes were removed and auctioned for charity; citizens must now drop letters at shop kiosks for DAO, a private delivery service. While reflecting Denmark’s high digital integration, the change may disadvantage older people and those without reliable internet.

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In January 2026, the Indian Army created a modern warfare force named Bhairav to strengthen combat capabilities. Bhairav battalions are designed for high-speed offensive and special operations at tactical and operational levels. Around 15 Bhairav battalions have been raised, with plans to expand to 25. These units bridge the gap between Para Special Forces and regular Infantry. Bhairav units are technology-driven and capable of independent multi-domain operations.

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During the All India Tiger Estimation 2026 survey, the Indian giant squirrel was sighted in the Atwan region of the Pune forest division. The Indian Giant Squirrel is also known as the Malabar Giant Squirrel and is a large rodent species native to India. It belongs to the category of tree squirrels and is adapted to living in forest canopies. It is among the largest squirrel species found in the world. The species is mainly distributed across the Western Ghats, Eastern Ghats, and the Satpura Range. It is the state animal of Maharashtra and is locally known as Shekru.

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The Global Risk Report 2026 was released by the World Economic Forum (WEF). It identifies geoeconomic confrontation as the most significant global risk. In the short term (2026–2028), key risks include geoeconomic confrontation, state-based armed conflicts, extreme weather events, and rising societal polarisation. In the long term (up to 2036), major risks are extreme weather events, biodiversity loss, and ecosystem collapse. India faces major risks like cyber insecurity, inequality, and weak public services. Geoeconomic confrontation means using trade, technology, sanctions, and investment controls for strategic advantage.

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Researchers found the world’s oldest known rock art, a painted human hand outline, inside a cave on Muna Island, Indonesia, dated to at least 67,800 years ago. Muna Island is located in Southeast Sulawesi province of Indonesia and covers about 1,704 square kilometres. The island has a hilly landscape rising up to about 445 metres, with teak forests in the north and northeast. Muna Island is known for rich culture, natural beauty, forests, and clean beaches

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International Day of Education is observed every year on 24 January to highlight the crucial role of education in peace, development, and human progress. The day was officially proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on 3 December 2018. The theme for International Day of Education 2026, announced by UNESCO, is “The power of youth in co-creating education.” The theme emphasizes that young people, who form more than half of the world’s population, are active partners and change-makers in shaping education systems, not just passive beneficiaries.

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Researchers discovered a new wildflower species named Lepidagathis konkanensis in the Konkan region of Maharashtra. It was found in Ratnagiri district during a floristic survey of lateritic plateaus, which are iron-rich and harsh habitats. The species is currently known from a very small area of less than 65 square kilometres. The name honours the Konkan region, which is isolated by the Arabian Sea and Sahyadri Mountains. Scientists recommend its status as Data Deficient under the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

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PESA (Panchayats Extension to Scheduled Areas) State Rankings for 2024–25 were released. Maharashtra secured 1st position, Madhya Pradesh 2nd, and Himachal Pradesh 3rd among the 10 States with Fifth Schedule Areas. The rankings assess implementation of the PESA Act, which strengthens Gram Sabhas and Panchayats in Scheduled Areas. The rankings aim to promote Gram Sabha-centric self-governance, evidence-based policy interventions, and identify areas needing focused support. The initiative reflects a collective commitment of the Centre and States for outcome-oriented PESA implementation.

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India launched its first pilot for an Artificial Intelligence (AI)–enabled university at Chaudhary Charan Singh University (CCSU), Meerut. The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) partnered with Google Cloud and CCSU for this initiative. The project was announced at Google’s AI for Learning Forum in Delhi. Google Cloud’s Gemini platform will support teaching, learning, and university administration. Students will get personalised AI tutors, skill-gap analysis, and career-linked learning support.

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India and Bhutan discussed better commercial use of power from Punatsangchhu-II Hydroelectric Project (1020 Megawatt) and early start of Punatsangchhu-I Hydroelectric Project (1200 Megawatt). Punatsangchhu-II is a 1020 Megawatt run-of-the-river hydropower project. It is located on the right bank of the Punatsangchhu River in Wangdue Phodrang district of Bhutan. The project is developed under an Inter-Governmental Agreement between the Royal Government of Bhutan and the Government of India. Funding is provided by Government of India with 30 percent grant and 70 percent loan at 10 percent annual interest.