January 2026 brought the India–EU FTA, the Economic Survey 2025–26, the US operation in Venezuela, the BBNJ treaty coming into force and the 77th Republic Day. Here are the major items, grouped by GS paper.

In this compilation: 27 major items, grouped by GS theme · 10-question quiz at the end.

Timeline: key events of January 2026

Places in news, January 2026

Polity & Governance

1. Repealing and Amending Act, 2025

• It removes 71 obsolete laws dating from 1886 to 2023.
• It also amends four key Acts.
• Such Acts are routine "housekeeping" to clean the statute book.

Why it matters for UPSC: Ease of living and legal simplification.

Syllabus: GS2 – Legislation

2. UGC equity regulations and the SC stay

• The UGC notified the Promotion of Equity in Higher Education Institutions Regulations, 2026 against caste discrimination.
• The Supreme Court stayed them on 31 January, citing risks of dividing campuses.
• They replaced the 2012 anti-discrimination rules.

Why it matters for UPSC: Campus discrimination (Rohith Vemula, Payal Tadvi cases) and regulatory design.

Syllabus: GS2 – Education, social justice

3. Split verdict on Section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Act

• A two-judge SC bench split on whether Section 17A is valid.
• Section 17A (2018) needs prior approval before probing public servants for official decisions.
• The matter goes to a larger bench.

Why it matters for UPSC: Honest officers' protection vs accountability (also GS4).

Syllabus: GS2 – Probity