1. International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) 16th Assembly

• Context: The 16th Assembly of IRENA concluded in Abu Dhabi, UAE. The assembly issued a strong call for an accelerated global shift towards renewable energy to combat climate change.
• What: IRENA is the world’s only intergovernmental organisation devoted exclusively to renewable energy. It serves as a hub for policy advice, technology cooperation, and clean energy data.
• Why: The shift is necessary for climate change mitigation, ensuring energy access for all, enhancing energy security by reducing reliance on imports, and fostering green economic growth.
• Where: The assembly took place in Abu Dhabi, where IRENA has its headquarters (Masdar City).
• When: The 16th Assembly was held in January 2026. The agency was founded on 26 January 2009 and its statute entered into force on 8 July 2010.
• Who: Member nations, including India (a founding member), participate. The agency was formed by 75 founding states.
• How:
  • Policy Guidance: Advises nations on regulations and roadmaps.
  • Data & Analysis: Tracks global costs and investment flows.
  • Capacity Building: Trains governments and utilities in clean energy planning.
  • Investment Facilitation: Mobilises green finance, especially for developing countries.
• Pros:
  • Global Standardisation: Creates a unified platform for renewable norms.
  • Support for Developing Nations: Anchors the transition for countries lacking technical expertise.
  • SDG Achievement: Directly supports SDG-7 (Affordable and Clean Energy).
• Cons:
  • Funding Gaps: Developing nations still face massive shortfalls in climate finance.
  • Implementation Lag: Policy advice often takes years to translate into ground-level action.
• Way Forward: Nations must align their national energy plans with IRENA’s recommendations to hit Net-Zero targets and reduce fossil fuel dependence.

2. Havana Syndrome and Directed Energy Devices

• Context: The mysterious illness known as Havana Syndrome is back in the news. The US Pentagon has begun testing a covertly acquired device that emits pulsed radio-frequency waves, which investigators believe might explain the symptoms.
• What: Officially called Anomalous Health Incidents (AHIs), it involves unexplained symptoms like severe headaches, vertigo, tinnitus, memory loss, and balance problems.
• Why: The testing aims to validate the theory that these illnesses are caused by directed energy weapons rather than environmental factors or mass psychogenic illness.
• Where: First reported in Havana, Cuba (2016), but cases have since spread to China, Europe, Russia, and the US.
• When: The issue resurfaced in January 2026 with the new Pentagon testing, although incidents began a decade earlier.
• Who: Victims are primarily diplomats, intelligence officers, and military personnel.
• How: The suspect mechanism involves pulsed radio-frequency or microwave energy that causes brain-like trauma without any visible external injury.
• Pros (of current investigation):
  • Validation: Provides potential answers to victims who felt dismissed.
  • Defense Development: Helps in developing countermeasures against invisible weaponry.
• Cons:
  • Geopolitical Tension: Increases suspicion between the US and rivals like Russia and China.
  • New Warfare: Signals the dangerous rise of non-traditional, deniable weapons.
• Way Forward: Continued scientific investigation is needed to definitively link the device to the symptoms and develop protective shielding for diplomats.

3. BRICS India 2026 Chairship Logo

• Context: India has officially launched the logo and website for its BRICS Chairship in 2026.
• What: The logo is the visual identity for India’s leadership year. It features a Lotus (India’s national flower) and “Namaste” hands.
• Why: To represent India’s vision of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (“One Earth, One Family”) and convey the message of “togetherness for global welfare”.
• Where: Launched in New Delhi; will be used globally throughout 2026.
• When: India will hold the chairship for the calendar year 2026, marking the 20th anniversary of BRICS.
• Who: The logo represents the five founding members: Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa through five coloured petals.
• How:
  • Lotus Shape: Symbolises resilience, renewal, and growth from adversity.
  • Namaste Hands: Centre of the logo, symbolising respect and cooperation.
  • Website: Acts as a digital hub for meetings and public engagement.
• Pros:
  • Soft Power: Projects India’s cultural values of unity and harmony.
  • Global South Leadership: Reinforces India’s role as a voice for developing nations.
• Cons:
  • Internal Differences: BRICS members have diverse political systems, making “unity” challenging to maintain in practice.
• Way Forward: India will focus on four priorities: Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation, and Sustainability to drive the bloc forward.

4. M.S. Sahoo Committee on National Pension System (NPS)

• Context: The PFRDA has set up a committee to design a framework for assured pension payouts under the NPS.
• What: A 15-member expert committee tasked with creating a system where NPS subscribers can get a guaranteed income after retirement.
• Why: To address the main criticism of NPS—that it is a market-linked scheme with uncertain returns, which scares away conservative savers.
• Where: Applicable across India for NPS subscribers.
• When: Constituted in January 2026.
• Who: Chaired by M.S. Sahoo, former Chairperson of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (IBBI).
• How:
  • Operational Rules: Designing lock-in periods, withdrawal limits, and fee structures.
  • Guarantees: Defining what is guaranteed (amount/duration) to prevent mis-selling.
  • Risk Management: Reducing market risks for the final payout phase.
• Pros:
  • Financial Security: Provides stability for India’s ageing population.
  • Trust: Will encourage more private sector employees to join NPS.
• Cons:
  • Cost: Guarantees usually come with a cost, potentially lowering the overall corpus growth compared to pure equity.
• Way Forward: The committee must balance affordability for the provider with security for the pensioner to make NPS a truly robust social security tool.

5. Jharkhand Megaliths UNESCO Bid

• Context: The Jharkhand government is pushing to get a UNESCO World Heritage Tag for its megalithic sites, showcasing them at Davos.
• What: Megaliths are large stone structures like menhirs (standing stones) and dolmens (table-like tombs) used for burials and rituals.
• Why: These are not just ruins but a living tradition. Indigenous communities still use them, making them globally unique.
• Where: Found in Ranchi-Khunti belt (e.g., Chokahatu), Hazaribagh, and Singhbhum.
• When: The push was initiated in early 2026; the sites themselves date back to ancient times but are still in use.
• Who: Preserved by Adivasi communities like Munda, Ho, Oraon, and Asur.
• How:
  • Sasandiri: Family burial stones (dolmens).
  • Birdiri: Memorial standing stones (menhirs).
  • Astronomy: Some stones align with the sun’s movement (equinox/solstice).
• Pros:
  • Cultural Preservation: Protects indigenous history and rituals.
  • Tourism: Could boost local economy through heritage tourism.
• Cons:
  • Urbanisation: Modern development threatens these landscapes.
  • Lack of Documentation: Many sites are unrecorded and facing destruction.
• Way Forward: Securing the UNESCO tag will provide legal protection and global recognition, ensuring these “living archives” are not lost.

6. Shaksgam Valley Dispute

• Context: Tensions have risen after China reaffirmed its claim over the Shaksgam Valley and defended its infrastructure building, leading to an Indian protest.
• What: A high-altitude valley north of the Siachen Glacier, also called the Trans-Karakoram Tract.
• Why: It is strategically vital because it sits near the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and Siachen.
• Where: Lies in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) but is administered by China as part of Xinjiang.
• When: The dispute dates back to 1963, but flared up again in January 2026.
• Who: Claimed by India (Ladakh UT), but ceded by Pakistan to China.
• How:
  • 1963 Agreement: Pakistan illegally handed over 5,180 sq km to China.
  • Article 6: The agreement states the border is temporary until the Kashmir dispute is settled.
• Pros (Strategic for China): Connects Xinjiang with PoK, strengthening the China-Pakistan military axis.
• Cons (for India): Threatens India’s northern defenses and encircles the Siachen region.
• Way Forward: India continues to diplomatically protest and strengthen its own border infrastructure to counter the dual threat from China and Pakistan.

High-yield Prelims Snippets

• IRENA HQ: Located in Masdar City, Abu Dhabi (UAE). India is a founding member.
• Havana Syndrome Cause: Recent tests point to pulsed radio-frequency waves; officially called Anomalous Health Incidents (AHIs).
• BRICS 2026 Theme: Focused on Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation, and Sustainability; Logo features a Lotus.
• NPS Committee: Chaired by M.S. Sahoo to design assured pension payouts.
• Jharkhand Megaliths: Specific terms include Sasandiri (burial slabs) and Birdiri (standing stones). Unique because it is a living tradition.
• Shaksgam Valley: Illegally ceded by Pakistan to China in 1963; located north of Siachen Glacier.