January 31, 2026 - Current Affairs

Economic Survey: India Must Shift to Entrepreneurial State

Context

The Economic Survey 2025-26 borrows a phrase from Mariana Mazzucato to describe what Indian governance must become: an Entrepreneurial State.

What is an Entrepreneurial State?

It is a deeper shift towards entrepreneurial policymaking under uncertainty: a state that can act before certainty emerges, structures risk rather than avoiding it, learns systematically from experimentation, and corrects course without paralysis.

It does not mean state capitalism, nor does it imply the commercialisation of government functions or privileging private interests.

Menstrual Health Fundamental Right under Article 21: SC

Context

In Dr. Jaya Thakur v. Union of India, the Supreme Court has ruled that the right to menstrual hygiene is an integral part of the right to life under Article 21 of the Constitution.

Key Highlights of Judicial Intervention

Fundamental Right: Menstrual health is now legally recognized as an essential facet of the Right to Life (Art. 21) and the Right to Education (Art. 21A).

Also, inaccessibility of menstrual hygiene measures strips away the right to participate on equal terms in schools (Article 14).

Green Steel & India’s Climate Goals Trajectory

Context

India pledged and committed to submitting a revised and more ambitious Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) at COP30 in Belém with a clear plan for economy-wide decarbonisation, especially in the steel sector.

Why Steel Matters?

Steel is a critical component of India's eight core infrastructure industries, holding a significant weight of 17.92% in the Index of Eight Core Industries (ICI).

Steel production in India currently is about 125 million tonnes and accounts for nearly 12% of India’s carbon emissions, with an emission intensity of 2.55 tonnes CO2 per tonne of crude steel, higher than the global average of 1.9 tonnes CO2, largely due to coal-based production.

Use of Stem Cells to Treat Autism Unethical: SC

In News

The Supreme Court of India (SC) ruled that offering Stem Cell Therapy (SCT) as a routine clinical treatment for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is unethical and constitutes medical malpractice.

Why Did the Supreme Court Term It Unethical?

Lack of Scientific Evidence: There is no conclusive clinical proof that stem cell therapy can improve or cure autism and when a procedure lacks a scientific "standard of care," a practitioner cannot provide adequate information regarding risks and outcomes.

Violation of Medical Ethics: Offering unproven therapies violates principle of non-maleficence (do no harm) & informed consent, as patients may be misled by exaggerated claims.

Amendments to New Drugs and Clinical Trials Rules, 2019

Context

The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has notified key amendments to the New Drugs and Clinical Trials (NDCT) Rules, 2019, to reduce regulatory burden and promote ease of doing business.

Rational behind the reforms

India is one of the world's largest suppliers of generic medicines and vaccines, accounting for nearly 20% of global generic drug exports by volume, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

Issue: The industry stakeholders have long flagged lengthy regulatory timelines as a barrier to faster innovation and global competitiveness.

Space Spinoffs

Context

Space exploration has generated powerful healthcare spinoffs forming an invisible backbone of modern diagnostics, medical devices, and healthcare delivery systems on Earth.

What are Space Spinoffs?

Space spinoffs are civilian applications of technologies originally developed for space missions.

NASA has documented over 2,000 spin offs since 1976.

ISRO has transferred 350+ technologies to Indian industries, including health and biomedical sectors.

Proposal to Accelerate the Development of Hydro Pumped-storage Projects (PSPs)

In News

The Central Electricity Authority (CEA) has proposed a regulatory overhaul to accelerate the development of hydro pumped-storage projects (PSPs).

Background

Eco-sensitive zones (ESZs) protect fragile ecosystems, and currently PSPs and hydropower projects are banned within ESZs and a 10-km buffer around protected areas.

Environmental concerns and local protests in states like Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Rajasthan, and Maharashtra’s Western Ghats highlight risks to forests and wildlife.

News In Short 31-01-2026

In News

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) issued a notice to the Rajasthan government over protests by the Kalbelia community in Barmer, who placed a dead body on the road demanding a designated burial ground.

Kalbeliyas

Kalbelia are a snake charming folk community from the region of Rajasthan, India.

Their traditional occupation used to be catching snakes and trading snake venom.

They are known for their vibrant dances and black embroidered attire.