Current Affairs
Date: 02-01-2026
CURRENT AFFAIRS
1. India Develops Open-Source Tool PathGennie to Boost Drug Research
India's Ministry of Science and Technology has developed an open-source computational biology software called PathGennie to accelerate drug discovery. It helps understand drug stability and effectiveness by realistically simulating drug-protein interactions and the unbinding process.
2. Over 5.5 Lakh Trademarks Registered in India: Details of 2024-25 Registrations
In the financial year 2024-25, India set a new record by registering over 5.5 lakh trademarks. This reflects the increase in brand protection, intellectual property security, and innovation potential. Trademark registration protects the legal identity of logos, names, and brands. According to Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal, this achievement is a result of the strengthening of the IP system and the digitization of processes.
3. Women's T20 Cricket: Deepti Sharma Sets New Wicket Record
Indian spinner Deepti Sharma created history by becoming the highest wicket-taker in women's T20 international cricket. She surpassed Australia's Megan Schutt with 152 wickets. This achievement was accomplished in a match against Sri Lanka played in Thiruvananthapuram. Deepti has been a key bowler for the Indian team for a long time.
4. 8th Pay Commission to be implemented from January 1, 2026: Will central government employees really see a significant salary increase?
The 8th Pay Commission is expected to be effective from January 1, 2026, but an immediate salary increase is not guaranteed. The commission's task is to review and revise the salaries, allowances, and pensions of employees and pensioners. Cabinet approval is required after the report is prepared. Implementation takes time, so the actual increase may only be visible in 2027 or 2028.
5. Rakesh Agarwal gets additional charge as NIA chief
The Union Home Ministry has given IPS officer Rakesh Agarwal the additional charge of Director General of the NIA. This appointment was made to ensure immediate leadership continuity. This decision came after the premature repatriation of former DG Sadanand Vasant Date. The charge was given after approval from the ACC (Appointments Committee of the Cabinet).
6. Delhi to launch AI-based grievance redressal system in collaboration with IIT Kanpur
The Delhi government is developing an AI-based grievance redressal system called IGMS in collaboration with IIT Kanpur. Its goal is to make grievance resolution faster, more transparent, and more accountable. The current system faced challenges due to multiple portals and a lack of coordination. IGMS will bring all departmental grievances onto a single integrated dashboard.
7. PM VIKAS Scheme
NIFTEM, Kundli has been appointed as the project implementing agency for the PM VIKAS scheme. The scheme aims to connect minority communities with skills and employment. The training will be market-oriented to ensure economic empowerment and livelihoods. Training is likely to begin in January 2026. Standardized training will be provided through NCVET and NSQF-based courses.
8. World Introvert Day 2026
World Introvert Day is celebrated on January 2nd. Its purpose is to raise awareness of the psychological behavior and social needs of introverted personalities. It was initiated in 2011 by German psychologist Felicitas Heyne. The first official celebration took place in 2012. The concept of introversion in psychology was introduced by Carl Jung in 1921.
QUIZ (With Explanation)
1. What field does the PathGennie software belong to?
A - Agricultural Automation
B - Computational Biology
C - Cybersecurity Networking
D - Space navigation technology
Explanation:
PathGennie is an open-source computational biology tool developed by the Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India. It analyzes drug-protein interactions and provides realistic simulations of the natural process of drug unbinding from proteins. It avoids the artificial distortions present in traditional methods, resulting in more realistic and reliable outcomes.
2. Which sector has seen the most trademark registrations in India recently?
A - Automobiles
B - Medicines and Health Products
C - Electronics
D - Agricultural equipment
Explanation:
In the financial year 2024-25, over 5.5 lakh trademarks were registered in India, indicating progress in IP protection. The highest number of registrations were in the pharmaceuticals, health products, and veterinary categories. This reflects the growing demand in the domestic healthcare market and the increasing pharmaceutical production capacity. Digitization, faster processing, and a reduction in pending cases are key drivers of this growth.
3. In which format did Deepti Sharma set a new record for wickets?
A - One Day Cricket
B - Test Cricket
C - Women's T20 International
D - Domestic Ranji Trophy
Explanation:
Deepti Sharma set a new record for the most wickets in Women's T20Is, surpassing Megan Schutt with 152 wickets. This achievement was recorded against Sri Lanka in Thiruvananthapuram. She is considered India's leading spinner and a crucial strategic player. Since starting her career in 2014, she has maintained a dominant presence in the ICC rankings.
4. From when is the 8th Pay Commission considered effective?
A - January 1, 2024
B - January 1, 2025
C - January 1, 2026
D - April 1, 2026
Explanation:
The 8th Pay Commission is expected to be effective from January 1, 2026, but an immediate salary increase is not guaranteed. The increase will be implemented only after a report, review, and cabinet approval. The actual economic benefits may be visible in 2027-28. Arrear payments are possible during this interim period. The fitment factor is the main determinant of the increase, and the estimated range is between 1.83 and 2.46.
5. Which institution did Rakesh Agarwal receive additional charge of?
A - RAW
B - IB
C - NIA
D - BSF
Explanation:
The Union Home Ministry has given IPS officer Rakesh Agarwal of the 1994 batch the additional charge of Director General of the NIA. This decision was made to maintain leadership continuity after the premature repatriation of the former DG. The appointment was made after approval from the ACC. This agency, operating under the NIA Act 2008, investigates cases related to terrorism, cross-border networks, and terror financing.
6. Which system is Delhi developing with the help of IIT Kanpur?
A - e-Ration Card 2.0
B - IGMS Grievance Redressal Platform
C - Hybrid Teaching Portal
D - Smart Road AI Mapper
Explanation:
The Delhi government is collaborating with IIT Kanpur to develop an AI-based grievance redressal system called IGMS. The aim is to enhance service quality, transparency, and administrative efficiency. All departmental complaints will be visible on a unified dashboard. AI-based root cause analysis, predictive routing, and automated complaint allocation are its features.
7. What is the main objective of the PM VIKAS scheme?
A - Construction of rural roads
B - Skills and Employment for Minority Communities
C - Increasing agricultural MSP
D - Expansion of defense research
Explanation:
The PM VIKAS scheme aims to enhance skill development, training, and employment opportunities among minority communities. NIFTEM Kundli has been appointed as the project implementing agency. The courses will be based on NCVET and NSQF standards, and the certification will be nationally recognized. Job-linking, loan assistance, and entrepreneurship support are key features of the scheme.
8. When is World Introvert Day celebrated?
A - July 25
B - November 14
C - January 2
D - March 31
Explanation:
World Introvert Day is celebrated on January 2nd. It was started in 2011 by German psychologist Felicitas Heyne, and the first official event was held in 2012. It acknowledges the psychological needs, understanding, and social sensitivity of introverted personalities. It promotes mental health, personality diversity, and self-acceptance.
ONE LINER
What is the main objective of the PM VIKAS scheme? – Providing skills and employment to minority communities
From which date is the 8th Pay Commission considered effective? – January 1, 2026
When is World Introvert Day celebrated? – January 2
Who developed PathGennie? – Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India
Which sector does India's PathGennie software belong to? – Computational Biology
Which category saw the highest number of trademark registrations? – Medicines and health products
How many trademarks were registered in India in 2024-25? – Over 5.5 lakh
Which system is Delhi developing in collaboration with IIT Kanpur? – IGMS Grievance Redressal System
In which format did Deepti Sharma set a wicket-taking record? – Women's T20 International Cricket
Which institution did Rakesh Agarwal receive additional charge of? – NIA (National Investigation Agency)