DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS IAS | UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 21st January 2026

Category: International Organisations

Context:

• The Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) will commemorate its 80th anniversary by holding a special event on 23 January 2026.

About United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC):

• • Establishment: It was established by the Charter of the United Nations in 1945 as one of the six principal organs of the United Nations.
  • Objective: It is responsible for the direction and coordination of the economic, social, humanitarian, and cultural activities carried out by the UN.
  • Decision making: Decisions are taken by a simple majority vote. The presidency of ECOSOC changes annually.
  • Members: It has 54 members, which are elected for three-year terms by the General Assembly.
  • Geographic distribution of seats: Seats are distributed among regional groups- African States (14), Asian States (11), Eastern European States (6), Latin American and Caribbean States (10), and Western European and other States (13).

• Headquarters: Its headquarters is located in New York (USA).

• Major functions:

• • It is responsible for coordinating the social and economic fields of the organization, specifically in regards to the 14 specialized agencies, the five regional commissions under its jurisdiction and eight functional commissions.
  • It also serves as a central forum to discuss international social and economic issues.
  • It formulates policy recommendations addressed to the member states and the United States system.
  • It has been at the centre of global progress, advancing the principles of the United Nations Charter and promoting international cooperation on economic, social, cultural, educational, health and related issues.

Source:

• United Nations

Category: Geography

Context:

• A Chinese reconnaissance drone briefly entered airspace over Taiwan-controlled Pratas Islands, prompting Taiwan to label the act provocative and irresponsible.

About Pratas Islands:

• • Nature: The Pratas Islands are a small group of three islands located in the northern part of the South China Sea.
  • Location: It lies approximately 445 km southwest of Kaohsiung, Taiwan, and 320 km southeast of Hong Kong.

• Other names: They are also known as the Dongsha Islands.

• • Characterisation: These islands are characterized by a circular atoll structure, with Dongsha Island being the only island above sea level, while the other two are submerged.
  • Composition: They are composed primarily of clastic coral and reef flats approximately 15 miles (24 kilometers) in diameter, enclosing a lagoon about 10 miles (16 kilometers) in diameter.
  • Significance: Once discovered during the ancient Han Dynasty, Dongsha Island became an important point along trade and fishing routes through the Taiwan Strait, which separates Taiwan from mainland China, and the Bashi Channel between Y’Ami Island of the Philippines and Orchid Island of Taiwan.

• Connectivity: They are strategically important positions along the major sea route connecting the Pacific and Indian ocean.

• Controversy: The People’s Republic of China claims them, but Taiwan controls them and has declared them part of the Dongsha Atoll National Park. There are no permanent residents. But Taiwanese marines are stationed there.
• Biodiversity: The region is notable for its rich biodiversity, supporting a variety of flora and fauna, including numerous fish species, coral, and migratory birds like the Chinese Egret.

Source:

• The Tribune

Category: Defence and Security

Context:

• The Indian Navy’s Sail Training Ship INS Sudarshini will embark on the flagship voyage of Lokayan 26, a 10-month transoceanic expedition.

About INS Sudarshini:

• Nature: It is an indigenously built Sail Training Ship (STS).

• • Construction: It was built by Goa Shipyard Limited and based at Kochi, Kerala under the Southern Naval Command of the Indian Navy. 

• Commissioning: It was successfully built and was commissioned in January 2012.

• • Objective: The aim of using such ships is to make sailors sea-friendly, as they are taught how to survive alone at sea, understand rough weather conditions and train themselves to become good sailors.
  • Class: It is a three-masted barque and the sister ship of INS Tarangini.

• Propulsion: It is capable of operating under both sail and diesel power.

• Capacity: It has a very high endurance and can be deployed at sea continuously for a period of twenty days.

About Lokayan 26:

• • Nature: It is a 10-month transoceanic expedition covering over 22,000 nautical miles.
  • Ship used: It will be executed by INS Sudarshini, an indigenously built three-masted sail training ship based at the Southern Naval Command in Kochi.

• Global reach: The voyage will visit 18 ports across 13 countries.

• Objective: Over 200 trainees from the Indian Navy and Coast Guard will undergo intensive sail training to master ocean navigation and eco-friendly maritime practices.
• Key events: The ship is scheduled to participate in prestigious international “tall-ship” events, viz. Escale à Sète in France and SAIL 250 in New York City, USA.
• Strategic vision: The mission aligns with India’s MAHASAGAR initiative (Maritime Heritage and Security and Growth for All in the Region) and the philosophy of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (“The World is One Family”).

Source:

• PIB

Category: Science and Technology

Context:

• Recently, the Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT) has been conferred the “SKOCH Award-2025” for its Cell Broadcast Solution (CBS).

About C-DOT’s Cell Broadcast Solution:

• Nature: It is an indigenous disaster and emergency alert platform.

• • Objective: It is designed to enable near real-time dissemination of life-saving information to citizens in affected areas through cellular networks.
  • Development: It is developed by the Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT), the premier R&D centre of the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), supporting Aatmanirbhar Bharat.
  • Integration platform: It provides an automated integration between government emergency alert dissemination platforms and the telecom networks of the country for instant information delivery to the affected citizens.
  • Technology used: It is a multi-technology platform supporting 2G, 3G, 4G, and 5G networks. It is designed to support varied geographic & demographic scenarios.
  • Disaster alert: It integrates multiple disaster alert generation agencies, including the India Meteorological Department, the Central Water Commission for floods, Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services, and Forest Survey of India.

• Multiple languages: It enables geo-targeted, multi-hazard alerts with support for 21 Indian languages.

• Near real-time delivery: Unlike standard SMS, which can be delayed by network congestion, CBS messages are “broadcast” instantly to all active handsets in the target area.
• Standards compliance: It follows the Common Alerting Protocol (CAP) (ITU-T X.1303), an international standard for emergency messaging.
• Significance: It significantly enhances the efficiency of disaster risk reduction and management efforts. It also aligns with the United Nations’ Early Warnings for All programme, the International Telecommunication Union’s Common Alerting Protocol.

Source:

• PIB

Category: Environment and Ecology

Context:

• Two new safari gates at the Bor Tiger Project were inaugurated recently in the Bangdapur and Hingni ranges.

About Bor Tiger Reserve:

• Location: It is located in the Wardha District of Maharashtra. 

• Establishment: Originally notified as a wildlife sanctuary in 1970, it was officially declared India’s 47th tiger reserve in July 2014.

• Drainage: The reserve includes the drainage basin of the Bor Dam and is traversed by the Bor River, a tributary of the Wardha River.

• Area: It covers an area of 138.12 sq.km.

• Uniqueness: It is the smallest tiger reserve in India by area.

• Significance: It is centrally located among several other Bengal tiger habitats.

• • Boundaries: Towards the northeast lies the Pench Tiger Reserve, towards the east is the Nagzira Navegaon Tiger Reserve. The Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve is located to the southeast, the Melghat Tiger Reserve stands to the west, and the Satpura Tiger Reserve lies to the northwest.

• Vegetation: The area is populated by the Dry Deciduous Forest type.

• • Flora: Teak, tendu, bamboo, tarot, and gokhru are some of the abundant species here.
  • Fauna: Apart from tigers, the reserve is home to several other mammals like leopards, sloth bears, sambar deer, Indian bison (gaur), chital, wild boars, and more.

• Avian species: It has recorded diversity of just under 200 avian species, with migratory waterfowl such as the tufted duck, northern shovelers, as well as the elegant fish specialist, the osprey. Commonly seen resident species include the Indian peafowl, black-hooded oriole, and Indian paradise flycatcher.

Source:

• • • The Times of India

GS III: “Science and Technology  developments and their applications and effects in everyday life; Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization of resources, growth, development and employment; Energy – conventional and non-conventional energy, renewable energy.”

Context (Introduction)

The global transition to electric vehicles (EVs) is central to climate mitigation and energy transition strategies. However, beneath the technological optimism lies a structural resource constraint an accelerating copper crunch that threatens to slow electrification, raise costs, and reshape global energy geopolitics.

Core Idea / Definition

Copper is the indispensable metal of electrification, forming the backbone of EV batteries, motors, wiring, charging infrastructure, and power grids. Unlike lithium or cobalt, copper has no scalable substitute, and EVs require 4–5 times more copper than internal combustion engine vehicles, making electrification inherently resource-intensive.

Key Trends and Evidence 

• Global EV sales rose from ~0.55 million (2015) to ~20 million units (2025)
• EV-related copper demand increased from ~27,500 tonnes (2015) to over 1.28 million tonnes (2024)
• Copper demand elasticity peaked at 1.76 (2019), indicating copper use grew faster than EV adoption
• EV copper demand surged from ~39,000 tonnes (2016) to ~1.1 million tonnes (2024)
• China dominates:
  • ~60% of global EV-based copper consumption by 2025
  • >70% control over global battery cell production

Challenges: Why a Copper Crunch is Emerging

1. Supply-side rigidity
   • 10–15 year mine development cycle
   • Declining ore grades in existing mines
   • Environmental opposition in major producers (Chile, Peru, U.S.)
2. Demand–supply mismatch
   • 2024: Supply exceeded demand by ~0.3 million tonnes
   • 2026: Demand projected at ~30 million tonnes, supply only ~28 million tonnes
   • Deficit could reach 4.5 million tonnes by 2028 and ~8 million tonnes by 2030
3. Technological lock-in
   • Efficiency gains may reduce elasticity to ~0.90 by 2025, but absolute demand keeps rising
   • No viable large-scale copper alternatives for grids and motors
4. Geopolitical concentration
   • China’s dominance provides pricing power, long-term contract leverage, and strategic influence
   • Resource nationalism risks in copper-rich regions

Why It Matters for India and the Energy Transition

• EV affordability risk: Copper shortages can increase EV costs, slowing adoption
• Grid stress: Electrification of transport, renewables, and storage all compete for copper
• Decarbonisation bottleneck: Copper scarcity could delay net-zero timelines
• Strategic vulnerability: Dependence on external copper supply mirrors earlier oil dependency
• Industrial competitiveness: Copper access will shape future battery, EV, and grid manufacturing hubs

Way Forward

1. Accelerate copper recycling
   • Urban mining, circular economy frameworks
   • EV-specific recycling mandates
2. Secure overseas mineral assets
   • Long-term offtake agreements with Chile, Peru, Africa
   • Strategic mineral diplomacy
3. Technological innovation
   • Copper-efficient motor designs
   • Advanced power electronics
   • High-voltage architectures to reduce material intensity
4. Integrated resource planning
   • Align EV policy, grid expansion, and mineral strategy
   • Treat copper as a strategic energy resource
5. Domestic capacity building
   • Strengthen refining, smelting, and downstream manufacturing
   • Incentivise exploration of low-grade deposits using new technologies

Conclusion

The EV revolution is not merely a technological transition but a resource-intensive transformation. Copper has emerged as the critical artery of electrification, and without decisive action on mining, recycling, and innovation, the energy transition risks being throttled by material scarcity. For countries like India, energy security in the 21st century will increasingly hinge on mineral strategy, not just clean technology adoption.

Mains Question

1. “The global transition to electric mobility is increasingly constrained not by technology, but by critical mineral availability.” In this context, examine how the accelerating demand–supply imbalance in copper can emerge as a structural bottleneck for the energy transition. Discuss its implications for India’s energy security and outline a strategic roadmap to address this challenge. (15marks)

The Hindu

GS-III: “Awareness in the fields of Information Technology, Space, Computers, robotics, nano-technology, bio-technology and issues relating to intellectual property rights.”

GS-IV: “Ethics and Human Interface: Essence, determinants and consequences of Ethics in human actions.; Public/Civil service values and Ethics in Public administration: Status and problems; ethical concerns and dilemmas in government and private institutions.”

Context (Introduction)

India is preparing to host the AI Impact Summit (2026) at a time when Artificial Intelligence is rapidly entering public governance, welfare delivery, policing, healthcare, and finance. However, AI ethics in India risks remaining rhetorical unless translated into enforceable, context-sensitive, people-centred standards.

Core Idea

AI Ethics refers to the application of human rights–based principles—privacy, equality, non-discrimination, dignity, accountability, and transparency—to the design, deployment, and governance of AI systems, especially when used by the State.

The ethical AI must move beyond abstract principles to enforceable, auditable, and grievance-enabled frameworks, grounded in India’s social realities.

Key Ethical Concerns 

1. Abstract ethics vs enforceable ethics

• AI ethics discussions are often “blue-sky” ideas, lacking precision, accountability, and remedies.
• International frameworks (UNESCO AI Ethics Principles, UNDP Human Development Report 2025) emphasise rights-based AI, but implementation remains weak.

2. Intersectional harm and algorithmic bias

• AI systems often replicate existing social hierarchies.
• Indian datasets invisibilise intersectional identities (caste × gender × class × disability).
• Result: Disproportionate harms to Dalit women, Adivasi communities, migrant workers, linguistic minorities.

3. Opacity and lack of transparency

• AI systems deployed in public systems often operate as black boxes.
• There is a need for:
  • Publicly accessible model cards
  • Disclosure of training data, known biases, limitations, and appropriate use cases

4. Data extraction without consent or benefit

• • AI development relies on community data that is often:

• Extracted without consent

• • Monetised without benefit-sharing
• There is a need for community data trusts, akin to forest or mineral commons.

5. Absence of accountability and remedies

• When AI systems cause harm (e.g., denial of welfare, wrongful surveillance, facial recognition failures), responsibility is diffused.
• There is a need for:
  • Clear liability rules
  • Primary liability on deploying government departments
  • Secondary liability on vendors for flawed or misrepresented systems

6. Need for human oversight in high-risk domains

• In sectors like policing, healthcare, welfare, education, algorithmic outputs must not be final.
• Mandated human oversight is essential to override automated decisions.

Why This Matters 

Governance and Technology 

• AI is reshaping state capacity, service delivery and decision-making.
• Without ethical guardrails, AI can amplify exclusion rather than efficiency.

Ethics and Human Values 

• Ethical governance demands:
  • Justice over convenience
  • Dignity over efficiency
  • Accountability over opacity
• Ethical AI is not about slowing innovation but aligning technology with constitutional morality.

Way Forward: 

1. Human rights–anchored AI governance

• Anchor AI ethics in constitutional values (Articles 14, 15, 21).
• Treat AI harms as rights violations, not technical glitches.

2. Mandatory intersectional audits

• Regular algorithmic audits to identify overlapping harms across caste, gender, class.
• Move ethics from Western abstractions to Indian social contexts.

3. Transparency by design

• Mandatory model cards and impact disclosures for all public-sector AI systems.
• Citizen-readable explanations, not just technical documentation.

4. Community data governance

• Establish community data trusts.
• Ensure benefit-sharing where community data generates economic value.

5. Clear liability and grievance redress

• Fix primary accountability on the State.
• Create independent grievance redress mechanisms with time-bound remedies.

6. Human oversight in high-risk applications

• Statutory requirement for human review in welfare, policing, healthcare, education.
• Automated decisions must be contestable.

Conclusion

As India positions itself as a global AI leader and hosts the AI Impact Summit, ethical AI cannot remain aspirational. The article underscores that AI ethics must be enforceable, intersectional, and rooted in lived realities.

By anchoring AI governance in human rights, accountability, and community control, India can demonstrate that technological leadership and ethical leadership are not contradictory but complementary and offer a globally relevant model of people-centred AI governance.

Mains Question

1. Examine the ethical and governance challenges posed using Artificial Intelligence in public systems in India. How can enforceable and context-specific AI ethics frameworks address these challenges? (250 words, 15 marks)

The Indian Express