UPSC Daily Current Affairs| One Liners 08-01-2026

One Liners 08-01-2026

History, Art and Culture

Ecologist Madhav Gadgil

Madhav Dhananjaya Gadgil (1942–2026) was a distinguished Indian ecologist, academic, and environmental activist.
He is widely recognized as the ‘father of modern Indian ecology.’
Contribution –
- He served as chairman of the Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel (WGEEP), constituted by the Ministry of Environment and Forests in 2010, which is popularly known as Madhav Gadgil Committee.
- The panel’s 2011 report — widely known as the “Gadgil Report”.
- He pioneered the concept of People’s Biodiversity Registers.
- Key architect of India’s Biological Diversity Act, 2002.
- Founder of the Centre for Ecological Sciences at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru, established in 1983.
- Philosophy – A “bottom-up” model of environmental governance.
Awards & recognition -
- Padma Shri in 1981 and the Padma Bhushan in 2006.
- Tyler Prize for Environmental Achievement in 2015 and the Volvo Environment Prize.
- In 2024, the United Nations’s Annual Champions of the Earth award, the UN’s highest environmental honour, for his seminal work in the Western Ghats.
Literary works – This Fissured Land (co-authored with Ramachandra Guha), Ecology and Equity, and his autobiography A Walk Up the Hill, etc.

Book and Audio Formats -Awazon ke Jugnu

The publication traces the journeys of 31 individuals associated with All India Radio, FM channels, the voice-over industry, broadcasting, and the tradition of stage poetry.
Launched by – Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA), an autonomous institution under the Ministry of Culture.
Objective – To document and preserve some of India’s most celebrated voices through recorded interviews and authentic publications.

Book Launch “Sing, Dance and Lead: Leadership Lessons from the Life of Srila Prabhupada”

Keonthal Royal Palace

A massive fire engulfed the historic Junga Palace.

This 200-year-old palace served as the residence of the former Keonthal princely state.
Located in – Junga, Himachal Pradesh, approximately 26 kilometers from Shimla.
Constructed in – The 1800s by the rulers of Keonthal.
- It forms an integral part of India's princely state heritage.
Historical Context
- The princely states were integrated into the Indian Union in 1950.
- The palace's architecture exemplifies a blend of Himalayan and colonial styles.
- It stands as a symbol of pre-independence feudal power structures.

Polity & Governance

India International Conference on Democracy and Election Management (IICDEM)-2026

Hosted by – Election Commission of India (ECI).
Organised by – India International Institute of Democracy and Election Management (IIIDEM) under the aegis of ECI.
Participants – It will be attended by nearly 100 international delegates representing Election Management Bodies (EMBs) from across the world.
Objectives –
- To serve as a global platform for international cooperation among Election Management Bodies.
- To enable the development of a shared understanding of contemporary challenges, exchange of best practices and innovations, and co-creation of solutions.

Economy

Silver Prices Surge

Silver prices increased to ₹2,46,889 per kilogram in January 2026, compared to ₹85,913 per kilogram in January 2025.

Primary Factors Influencing Price Movement -
- Monetary Policy – Reductions in Federal Reserve interest rates contributed to increased demand for commodities.
- Manufacturing Demand – Growth in sectors such as batteries, solar panels, semiconductors, and industrial metals increased silver consumption.
- ETF Flows – The creation of new exchange-traded fund (ETF) units was followed by mutual funds purchasing physical silver.
- Geopolitical Factors – The imposition of United States tariffs and ongoing supply chain disruptions affected silver markets.
India's Role in the Silver Market -
- India is a major importer of silver, with domestic prices trading at a 12 to 13 % premium over global prices.
- Supply shortages in London have contributed to increases in local silver prices.

Agriculture

9^th Edition of Indusfood 2026

It is an India’s flagship global food and beverage (F&B) sourcing exhibition.
Organised by – Trade Promotion Council of India (TPCI).
Aim – To further consolidate India’s position as a trusted and competitive partner in global food supply chains.
Key highlight –
- Launch of India–UAE Food Corridor by Abu Dhabi Food Hub – To enhance food security, streamlining supply chains and accelerating bilateral food trade flows.
- APEDA’s ‘Bharati Initiative’ – To showcase innovative Indian agri-food start-ups to global buyers through Shark Tank–style pitch sessions.

Environment

CSIR’s Technology Transfer Ceremony titled “From Farm Residue to Road: Bio-Bitumen via Pyrolysis,”.

India has become the 1^st country globally to commercially produce Bio-Bitumen, a development that is expected to significantly impact the nation's road infrastructure.
Significance –
- Bio-bitumen is a transformative step towards the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.
- By utilising agro-waste, it reduces pollution caused by crop burning and strengthens the circular economy.
- With 15% blending, India can save nearly Rs.4,500 crore in foreign exchange and substantially reduce its dependence on imported crude oil.

Security

Ships of the 1^st Training Squadron (1TS)

INS Tir, Shardul, Sujata and ICGS Sarathi — will be proceeding on a Long-Range Training Deployment (LRTD) to South East Asia.
LRTD Part of – A training curriculum of the 110th Integrated Officers’ Training Course (IOTC).
Scheduled to – Undertake port calls at Singapore, Indonesia and Thailand.
Aim – To provide comprehensive operational and cross-cultural exposure to officer trainees.
Significance – It reinforces India’s sustained maritime engagement with South East Asian nations.
It aligns with India’s Act East Policy and vision for a free, open and inclusive Indian Ocean Region.

Science

Public Healthcare

India crosses a historic milestone 50,000 NQAS Certifications.

National Quality Assurance Standards (NQAS) – A comprehensive quality framework established by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW).
Coverage – It includes 48,663 Ayushman Arogya Mandirs (SHC, PHC, UPHC) and 1,710 secondary care facilities (CHC, SDH, DH), underscoring the institutionalisation of quality across all levels of public healthcare.
Methods of implementation – It reflects the adoption of multi-pronged acceleration strategies, including continuous capacity building, digital innovations, substantial increase in pool of assessors, and continuous quality improvement mechanisms.
Significance – This achievement embodies the spirit of Aatmanirbhar Bharat and the guiding principles of “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayaas”, reaffirming that quality healthcare is central to India’s development.